Done Wasting Weekends on Facebook Hacks That Don’t Work?
Washing up liquid. Vinegar. Baking soda. You’ve tried them all – and the moss keeps coming back. Our professional formula kills moss at the root, not just the surface. One treatment. Done.
It’s one of those tips that gets passed around Facebook groups and gardening forums – just mix some washing up liquid with water and spray it on your moss. Cheap, easy, and you’ve probably got a bottle under your sink right now.
But does washing up liquid actually kill moss? Or is this another DIY hack that sounds good but leaves you disappointed?
Let’s look at the science and the reality.
What Washing Up Liquid Actually Does to Moss
Washing up liquid is a surfactant – it breaks down surface tension. When you spray soapy water on moss, it does a few things:
- Strips away the waxy coating on moss fronds
- Allows water to penetrate the moss more easily
- Can cause some surface dehydration
So technically, yes – washing up liquid can damage moss. The problem is that “damage” and “kill” are very different things.
Why It Doesn’t Actually Work Long-Term
Here’s what the Facebook tips don’t mention: moss is incredibly resilient. Understanding how moss spreads and reproduces explains why surface treatments fail.
Moss doesn’t have roots like normal plants – it has rhizoids that anchor deep into porous surfaces. Washing up liquid only affects what’s on the surface. The moment you rinse it away or rain washes it off, the moss structure underneath is completely unharmed.
Within a few weeks, you’ll see fresh green growth emerging from exactly the same spots. You haven’t killed the moss – you’ve just given it a bath.
The Other Problems With Washing Up Liquid
Even if you’re willing to accept temporary results, there are other issues:
It’s not designed for outdoor use. Washing up liquid breaks down in sunlight and washes away with the first rain. You’d need to reapply constantly – and at that point, you’re spending more time and money than a proper treatment would cost.
It can damage surfaces. The surfactants that make washing up liquid effective at cutting grease can also strip protective sealants from stone, discolour certain pavers, and leave a residue that actually attracts more dirt.
It affects surrounding plants. Soapy water running off onto your lawn or borders can damage grass and ornamental plants, especially in concentrated amounts. It’s also a concern when treating artificial grass where residue can build up.
It doesn’t address the cause. Moss grows because conditions favour it – shade, moisture, poor drainage. Washing up liquid does nothing to change those conditions, so you’re fighting a losing battle. The same applies to other home remedies like vinegar or salt.
What About Adding Other Ingredients?
Some recipes suggest mixing washing up liquid with vinegar, salt, or baking soda. While these combinations might be slightly more effective at surface damage, they share the same fundamental problem – none of them penetrate deeply enough to kill moss at its anchor points.
They also introduce additional risks. Salt damages soil and can affect plants for years. Vinegar in high concentrations can etch stone and concrete. You might end up with a moss-free patio that looks worse than when you started.
What Actually Works?
Effective moss control requires a product specifically designed to penetrate moss structure and kill it completely – not just on the surface, but down to the rhizoids that anchor it in place.
Professional moss killers work differently from household products. They’re formulated to:
- Penetrate the full depth of moss growth
- Kill moss at the cellular level
- Remain active long enough to work properly
- Be safe for the surfaces you’re treating
The result? Moss that dies completely and doesn’t regrow from the same spot weeks later.
If you’re dealing with moss on hard surfaces, we’ve got specific guides for patios, block paving, concrete, paths, and even fencing that explain the best approach for each surface type.
The Bottom Line
Does washing up liquid kill moss? Technically it can cause some damage, but it won’t solve your moss problem. You’ll be back out there every few weeks, spraying and scrubbing, watching the same moss regrow from the same spots.
If you want results that actually last, you need a product designed for the job – not something designed to clean your dinner plates.
Ready for a solution that works? View our professional moss killer – one application, lasting results, no weekend scrubbing required.
