Not so long back there was a thread on here about moss killer, and I can't find the thread now.
One of the ingredients was strong detergent.
After googling for strong detergent, I can't find any link for what actually is a strong detergent.
So is there a table or something which lists various detergents with strength of each.
Jim K
I expect there is, but for these purposes I would suggest washing up liquid or washing machine products. The former is probably more pet and bird friendly.
And moss friendly too. Proprietary formulations of moss killer are more reliable than home brew kitchen sink chemistry. Nothing is perfect.
Don't whatever you do use lawn moss killer on paths - it often contains iron sulphate and will stain concrete or stone irreversibly!
Algae and mosses are natural survivors if the conditions are right they will quickly recolonise an area even if you sterilised it with fire!
I use Flash. I imagine sugar soap would do as well.
It was my recipe. The moss in my gravel drive died within the day and has never returned.
(Oh, and most proprietary moss killers are the same thing - detergent, alkali & bleach.)
Ok what did you use as a strong detergent then.
I've used both Flash & sugar soap. Both work fine.
Caustic soda. But be very careful.
Detergent is a fat or oil treated with a strong alkali.
So cooing oil and caustic would work with some water added. Or 20/50 etc
We used cold water bleach as supplied to laundries diluted 10:1 with water with a bottle of vinegar thrown in to every 5 gallons. Killed it stone dead.
As I've said before some self proclaimed chemist on this group claimed that the sugar in the vinegar would feed the moss. Load of bollix. Vinegar is an acid. We wipe down the surround of boat windows with it at the start of winter to keep the growth away.
I also understand that vinegar on its own is a weed killer.
But again I do like the concept of caustic soda as an addition.
since it will totally nullify the acidity of the vineger I am not sure why The result will be sodium acetate
Which is an alkali, which will neutralise the acid.
Quite so. Completely pointless putting acetic acid and sodium hydroxide in, unless you think there's some point to sodium acetate.
A strong enough solution can do interesting things - hot ice. But not really useful for moss.
Unless you want "Salt 'n' Vinegar Moss". (It's the principal flavouring in salt'n'vinger crisps.)
Strictly, that will give you a soap (from the fatty acids in the oil)
[Derisive snort]
r with a bottle of vinegar thrown in to every 5 gallons. Killed it stone d ead.
at the sugar in the vinegar would feed the moss. Load of bollix. Vinegar is an acid. We wipe down the surround of boat windows with it at the start of winter to keep the growth away.
Sorry that should have been one bottler per 5 litres not gallons
That's not too helpful.
Andy
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