10 Best Moss Killers [Buyer Guide]
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Moss can be a real pain and an unsightly addition to any outside space, garden or driveway. Moss forms from spores that are carried by wind currents and moving water. There are many reasons that cause moss to grow, including excessive shade, compacted soils, poorly drained soils, low soil fertility, high or low soil pH, and poor air circulation. Moss growth occurs especially in the spring or summer when the humidity is thick and the temperature soars. In most cases moss spores can’t actually form in areas where healthy plants are already growing, so you may want to mull this over if you’re getting moss in places that you’re already growing plants, as there may be an underlying reason as to why moss is growing on or around them. You may also want to have a look at the health of your lawn if you find moss growing there, too.
However, after some time it’s natural that some moss will start to become an unwelcome addition within your garden or on your conservatory roof. We recommend checking out our blog on conservatory roof cleaners if you’re struggling with the latter. In this guide we explore the 10 best moss killers available on the market at the moment, so you can choose the right option for you, your garden and your budget. The moss killers we have included in this buyer guide are not only solely effective on moss either, they can treat a whole host of different issues that you might’ve encountered whilst gardening in your outdoor space. For example, these killers can also treat algae, lichen and moulds. This is great for the gardener who wants a multi-use product (it’s also kinder on your wallet, too!). So, if you’re wanting to find out a bit more – keep on reading!
Wet & Forget - Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover
We couldn’t ask for more from a product that you simply spray on a surface and let it work its magic, killing the moss for you. This solution from Wet & Forget removes moss, moulds, lichen and algae from your lawns, roof panels and conservatory exterior, helping to restore your space to its original gleaming state.
Used by several professional cleaning services, this product cleans every surface you can think of ranging from, glass, to wood, rocks and any surfaces you need to get clean with just a dab or spray of the formula. You don’t need to wash or scrub and neither do you need to apply with a special equipment. It can also be used as a weed remover.
To use, simply mix the solution with water and spray on the moss. Reapply as required if you see little effect after a day or two. For really stubborn moss it may take substantially more of the solution, more regularly, to kill it off.
This is a non acidic, non-caustic solution that doesn’t bleach the surfaces you are applying it to. Additionally, the cleaner residue left on the surface acts as protective agent that prevents the further growth of weed or moss in the short-term. Take care when applying as this solution is prone to killing other plants, should they come into contact with it.
Key Features:
Leave-in cleaner
Protective residue prevents further outbreaks of moss
Solution is biodegradable
Specification:
Brand
Wet & Forget
Weight
5 kg
Volume
5 litres
Pros
Doesn't bleach surfaces
No special requirements or equipment is required
Cons
Prone to killing other plants should they come into contact with the solution
May take numerous applications for it to take affect
Maxicrop Moss Killer
The Maxicrop Moss Killer helps the restoration of a lawn or flower bed by killing unwanted moss and promoting the restoration of existing plant life. The fast-action solution uses natural seaweed extract and contains ferrous sulphate and nitrogen. This help serves as an alternate source of fertilizer, blackening the moss from the moment the solution hits it and boosting the growth of your lawn.
Designed to remove and kill moss whilst encouraging the restoration of your flower bed and lawn, this solution from Maxicrop is also eco-friendly – a little certainly goes a long way whilst having environmental benefits. It is highly effective, giving visible results within hours.
It is fairly easy to use. Shake well before use and dilute a small quantity in water before spraying generously on the moss. Any little contact with the moss blackens and kills it. Unlike the Wet & Forget moss killer above, you don’t have to worry about this solution killing neighbouring plants or flowers. This makes it ideal if you have a small flowerbed or are growing fruits and vegetables around your garden or in your conservatory. Application twice in a year should do the job. It’s that efficient.
The only objection to this product is that it can be prone to staining surfaces within the home, so we recommend outdoor use for this one. Take care with exposing it to skin as well as it may burn.
Key Features:
Dual-action moss killer and lawn reviver
Uses seaweed extract with ferrous sulphate and nitrogen
Specification:
Brand
Maxicrop
Weight
3.1 kg
Volume
2.5 litres
Pros
Great for improving rooting and grass regrowth
Visible benefits within hours
Does not kill surrounding plants
Cons
Can stain indoor surfaces and skin
Smartseal Moss Remover (Moss Clear)
The Smartseal Moss Remover is another great time saver. It saves you the pain of scrubbing or high-pressure washing, you only have to spray the diluted mixture on the moss and wait for it to take effect. A favourite for professionals, it is great with other unwanted growths, like algae and fungi.
It works wonders for a conservatory lawn and roof tiles, walls, concrete, and glass. It is also effective on asphalt and rock, killing moss at the core in tough-to-reach areas.
It is entirely biodegradable, doesn’t bleach your surfaces and has not been made with acidic chemicals. A little goes a long way, just mix it in a ratio of 1 to 5 or 1 to 3. If there is a large spread of moss or algae, then apply more as required. The 5 litre volume should clear around 125m² worth of moss and visible results will be clear within 24 hours.
Protective gloves are advised during application and it should be sprayed using a watering can or a pressure sprayer. Once the area is dry, then the area is safe once again.
Key Features:
Multi-surface solution
Protects against re-growth of Moss & Algae
Biodegradable
Specification:
Brand
Smartseal
Weight
5 kg
Volume
5 litre
Pros
Fast-action killer that clears large surfaces with little of the product
Simply spray and leave to dry on the surface
Cons
Protective gloves advised
Area needs to be kept dry to work effectively
EverGreen Complete 4-in-1 Moss Killer
Designed to promote lawn growth, greener gardens and removes instances of weed and moss, The EverGreen Complete 4-in-1 Moss Killer is the lawn food that your garden needs.
It is formulated with a WaterSmart formula which contains ingredients that actively enhance your plants water absorption and nutrient uptake, as well as protecting it against stress and drought. This keep your lawn aesthetically pleasing and healthy looking.
As for dealing with the moss, spread it evenly on top of the surfaces that have been impacted and leave for it to works its magic. The moss quickly blackens out after dying, making it easy to rake off leaving your healthy lawn intact.
A little added advantage is that alongside the lawn care and moss extermination, it also doubles as a weed killer – as most of the solutions listed here do. It is best used between April and September with a maximum usage of twice a year being recommended.
Take care when applying. Stick to the application instructions and do not over-apply, as this may cause patches on your lawn as it kills the moss.
Key Features:
4-in-1 feeds and greens the grass, kills moss and weeds.
Drought support for plants
Specification:
Brand
EverGreen
Weight
12.6 kg
Coverage
360m²
Pros
Long-lasting nutrients continue to kill the feed the grass, showing a visibly greener lawn after 6 weeks.
The nutrients also helps to develop strong roots protecting against drought.
Cons
Requires a lawn spreader
Takes 7 days to see effect
Miracle-Gro EverGreen 4-in-1 Spreader
The Miracle-Gro Evergreen 4-in-1 Spreader is similar to the previous EverGreen product listed, except this has a built-in spreader for additional convenience.
This Miracle-Gro 4-in-1 Spreader is effective in keeping your lawn roots strong, improving their general health whilst killing both moss and weeds in the vicinity. This product prides itself on ease of use and it comes with a built-in applicator. Usage twice a year is sufficient for most gardens, meaning you only need minimal work and application to achieve the desired results. Over application may in turn be a detriment, placing additional stress on your lawn and killing the roots.
To achieve best results, it’s recommended using the spreader between April to September. It also has a tendency to stain, so ensure you avoid the patch it is applied on until you water it or rain arrives. Though this solution is ideal for most lawns, it’s important to wear protective equipment when using to avoid the hard-to-remove stains it may leave on your cloth or hands.
Except
Key Features:
WaterSmart formula helps to protect lawn against drought and stress
Kills moss and weeds whilst promoting growth of the lawn
Specification:
Brand
EverGreen
Weight
3.9 kg
Coverage
100m²
Pros
4-in-1 solution not only gets rid of moss and weeds, but helps promote the growth of the lawn
Comes with a built in applicator/spreader
Cons
Solution can take some time to work
Moss Killer Driveway
The Moss Killer Driveway is a liquid moss killer that is incredibly concentrated and works to kill moss effective immediately. It comes with guaranteed results and is perfect for driveways, patios, roofs and also caravans. It gets into small places and works fast, without damaging the rest of the infrastructure. No acid and no bleach means this is also safe for children and pets, although we don’t recommend keeping it near them just to be safe.
Key Features:
Easy to use moss killer
Quick action for fast results
Can be used on multiple surfaces without damaging them
Specification:
Brand
Amazon
Weight
5kg
Volume
5L
Bleach?
No
Pros
Versatile and non-toxic, meaning that you can use this if you have pets and children
Cons
Volume may be too much for those who don't have a lot of moss to kill
GUARD-EN-FORCE
The GUARD-EN-FORCE is a easy to use weed killer which covers a lot of square footage with very little product. Ideal for those who are looking to use on a regular basis. It has a three in one formula making it incredibly powerful, yet not toxic around children or pets – meaning you can use this worry free. It’s a product that is trusted by professional gardeners, so you know that you can put faith in this product to work time and time again.
Key Features:
Incredible coverage with very little product
Easy to use and non toxic formula
Specification:
Brand
GUARD EN FORCE
Volume
25 kg
Coverage
25,000 sq
Pros
Great for those who are looking to get as much out of the product as possible due to the coverage
Cons
Size may be too big and industrial for some
Aftercut All In One Autumn Lawn Care
The Aftercut All In One Autumn Lawn Care is a reliable and well formulated product that works as lawn feed as well as moss killer. It comes in three different sizes so you can pick what works for you, too. It’s incredibly easy to use and saves you money as the fact it doubles up as lawn feed is incredibly practical. It’s fortified with potassium to help the roots as well as a specially formulated amount of nitrogen to increase colour and growth throughout.
Key Features:
Two in one lawn feed and moss/weed killer
Fortified with specialist minerals
Multiple sizing options
Specification:
Brand:
Aftercut
Size
(multiple options)
Ingredients
Potassium, Nitrogen
Coverage
(multiple)
Pros
Great for those who want a 2 in 1 product
Cons
May not be strong enough for some
Evergreen No Rake Moss Remover
The Evergreen No Rake Moss Remover is a quick action moss remover that doesn’t just target moss at surface level, but also helps to prevent it regrowing. The formula is made to ensure that you have long lasting results, and also acts as a lawn feeder which helps growth for up to three months. Easy to use, and quick to work – this is an excellent moss remover.
Key Features:
Double action as a moss killer and lawn feeder
Easy to use product
Specification:
Brand
Evergreen
Size
20 kg
Coverage
200 sq
Pros
Great for beginners that need a moss killer and lawn feeder they can trust
Cons
May not be strong enough for some larger lawns
Miracle-Gro EverGreen Autumn Lawn Care
The Miracle-Gro EverGreen Autumn Lawn Care is a quick action moss remover and lawn care product that has been formulated with a ton of necessary vitamins and minerals to help your lawn flourish. It completely eliminates moss whilst nourishing your lawn, and overall is incredibly easy to use – with quick results. It also works to strengthen roots in the long term.
Key Features:
Easy to use product
Double action weed killer and lawn feeder
Specification:
Brand
Miracle grow
Size
14 kg
Coverage
150 sq
Pros
Strengthens roots for long term results
Cons
Size may not be big enough for larger lawns
Summary
You’ll see that there are so many different moss killers to choose from.
Not only do these moss killers work for your lawn, they are equally great moss killers for the roof as well. As an added advantage, some of these moss killers also have active ingredients that aims to inhibit further growth as well as acting as great weed killers if needs be.
Hopefully we’ve given you a great overview so you can feel best informed to make your purchase. However, you may be reading this still completely unsure on which one is the best for you to buy. We’ve listed a few things below for you to consider as well as an FAQ to answer any questions that you may have.
Powder or liquid
You’ll see that there are two different types of moss killer that you can get, and they come in two forms: powder or liquid. If you’re looking specifically for a moss killer, you may be better off going for a liquid as this tends to be most focussed on killing the moss rather than any additional benefits. It can be great for those who have aggressive moss that needs a lot of product put on it. Powder is still seen as powerful, but usually is fortified with other vitamins and minerals for lawn growth and health – which is suitable if you want something that is “double action” in that respect.
Size
Size does matter, and you want to ensure that you’re measuring correctly how big your lawn is (or patch of moss) so you don’t over or under buy the amount that you need. Please note that different brands will have different average square footage that their product can cover, so ensure that you do all of the checks prior to your purchase so you aren’t disappointed! If in doubt, always over buy as that way you’ll have enough product for future use.
Living situation
Although a lot of products are child and pet friendly, you want to ensure that you are buying something that is going to be non-toxic to the home, particularly if you have children or pets. Also, if you are in a rental – you may want to check with your landlord before putting any killers or lawn feed in your garden, as they may be against you doing it. Or, they may have someone designated to do that job (which will save you a lot of time and money in the long run).
FAQ
What is moss?
Moss is a type of non-vascular plant that takes the appearance of hair. They grow on logs, rotting wood, rocks and weak soil. Funnily enough, they don’t even need water to grow. They absorb moisture from nutrient-thin soil, air and rocks. They invade, multiply and populate your whole space. Regularly checking outdoor furniture, such as your garden storage bench will help to avoid unmanageable levels of growth.
Is moss killer safe?
Absolutely. Of course, you should never ingest moss killer – as that’s not what it’s for! However, using it is completely safe, as it’s been designed to specifically target moss and weeds and won’t attack other parts of your garden. Some products are even fortified with lawn feed so it gives the area you’re targeting a boost. If you find that the moss killer isn’t working, it may have gone out of date – or you may not even be targeting moss in the first place. Make sure that you check.
How do I use moss killer?
Conclusion
In this article, we reviewed two types of moss killer. The first were liquid killers, requiring you to dilute with water before you use. The second is powdered moss killers, requiring the use of your best lawn spreader to disseminate.
As we have a bias for products that are multi-purpose, some of these moss killers that are great for general lawn care and many also have weed-killing properties. They are also biodegradable, environmental and ozone friendly.
Further Reading:
If you’d like to learn even more about moss killers before you take the plunge and buy, we’ve also linked some further reading for you here.