If your fence is currently covered in green stains, it has algae and moss growing on it, but it can easily be fixed with one natural ingredient, likely sitting in your bathroom.

Picture of moss on top of a wooden fence

Moss and algae tend to build up on fences during winter (Image: Getty)

Wooden fences blend naturally in gardens and give you much more privacy, but the downside is that they need more maintenance to stop them from becoming damaged. 

Moss, mould, and algae need to be cleaned away as soon as you see them. They will infiltrate small cracks in your fence, causing more splitting and breaking down of the structure. 

These slimy green stains also retain a lot of moisture, which means they will promote rot and cause the fence to decay over time. 

However, the experts at Amazing Fencing have shared that removing moss is incredibly easy, and you do not even need an expensive power washer to do it. 

They said: “Soap and water are very effective at eliminating moss that has attached itself to your timber or steel fencing. It may take some time, but when you are finished, it will look like new.”

Picture of wooden fence covered in green stains

Green stains need to be removed from wooden fences as soon as possible as they can cause rotting (Image: Getty)

It may sound too easy, but moss tends to be difficult to get rid of as it is a waxy protective layer that many cleaners cannot break through. 

Washing up liquid contains surfactants which can penetrate deeply into the moss to loosen its grip on a fence and will also naturally dehydrate it. 

Moss, mould and algae can only survive in a moist environment, and will slowly die as the washing up liquid will block its access to water. 

This is a simple and cheap way to remove moss without spending more money on a power washer or expensive cleaners, and it will not harm any of the plants in your garden. 

How to remove moss from a wooden fence

To begin, mix a small amount of washing-up liquid into a warm bucket of water. Use around two tablespoons per gallon of water. 

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Picture of clean wooden fence

Your wooden fence will be cleaned in just 15 minutes (Image: Getty)

Next, use a spray bottle, sponge or garden sprayer to apply the soapy solution all over your fence. 

Leave the soap to sit on the fence for at least 15 minutes or longer so the washing-up liquid has time to break down the moss and other stains. 

Then, use a scrubbing brush to wipe the moss off the fence. You can also use a garden hose on a low setting to thoroughly wash the moss off the fence. 

Rinse the fence with clean water to remove any remaining residue, and your wooden fence should now be completely clean.