The patio is an area that is bound to get dirty very quickly. One way to tackle the issue is by using outdoor chemical cleaning products. While eco-friendly indoor cleaning products are gaining popularity day by day, outdoor cleaning products are still considered hazardous.
The question is, will patio cleaner kill plants? The answer depends on the composition. Here’s what you need to know about how patio cleaner works and what alternatives you could use.
How Does It Work?
Since the patio is the most exposed part of the house, the growth of microorganisms is unavoidable. Factors like extreme temperature changes and dirt buildup play the biggest part.
Most patio cleaners contain a high concentration of chemicals that can attack these microorganisms. In some cases, these chemicals can be toxic to other living organisms, such as pets, plants, and even humans. However, these chemicals work effectively to eradicate mold, moss, and even fungi.
Patio Cleaners Composition
The main component of a patio cleaner is Sodium Hypochlorite. You might know it as bleach. It is a water-soluble component that might be diluted to give the best effect.
However if not mixed properly, sodium hypochlorite can cause corrosion. It’s also harmful to humans during long contact. It can cause skin and eye irritation. Will patio cleaners kill plants? If they contain a high concentration of sodium hypochlorite, then yes.
Other than sodium hypochlorite, patio cleaners can also contain quaternary ammonium compounds, known as QUATS. It is a high-concentration disinfectant with an antibacterial effect. However, this component can cause serious health effects for humans.
You might not expect detergents to be patio cleaners’ main components. But most patio cleaners have Tetrasodium Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetate (EDTA) as their component. It is the same components that you can find in detergents, just not in high concentrations.
Its main use is to remove grease and mold on the patio surface. However, it is considered a pollutant. EDTA is highly soluble in water, but the degradation process is awfully long.
Patio Cleaners Alternatives
1) Pressure washer
If you want to get rid of the dirt layer instantly, a pressure washer is a good option. Nowadays, there are pressure washer services that you can hire to finish your job.
However, it might be an expensive choice for routine cleanup. But will patio cleaners kill plants? No because it doesn’t involve other chemical components.
2) Kitchen supplies
Who says that kitchen supplies can only be useful in the kitchen? Grab vinegar and baking soda. The mixture of the two creates a fantastic degreasing scrub that will remove the dirt from your patio. You don’t need to worry about this killing your plants because they are organic ingredients.
If you are looking for other combinations, you could also try dish soap, salt, and boiling water. The salt will act as a scrub for the patio tiles while dish soap will help the degreasing process.
Will patio cleaners kill plants? The chemical one will surely do. It will also give you health concerns if you are exposed to it for a long time.
However, organic patio cleaners will not kill your plants. Even better you can make your own patio cleaners from kitchen supplies.