The 89p cupboard staple that will get your decking sparkling for summer – it works better than a pressure washer
AN EXPERT has revealed an 89p hack to make sure your decking is sparkling this summer.
Now that summer is finally upon us, and with temperatures set to ramp up again this week, many of us are likely making plans to have friends and family over for BBQs.
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However, before you invite any guests over, you'll want to make sure your decking is looking in tip top shape.
If your decking is covered in dirt and unsightly algae, your first thought might be to blast it with a pressure washer, however, these can be incredibly pricey.
Plus, using a pressure washer on softwood decking or composite boards can even damage it by stripping away protective coatings and causing splintering.
For those looking for a more penny-pinching-friendly approach, Helen Godsiff, a home improvement expert from Eurocell, has revealed that white vinegar is perfect for getting your decking sparkling.
She said: "As we head into the summer months, your garden becomes an extension of your living space, and a well-maintained deck can make it the perfect spot for enjoying the sunnier evenings and hosting gatherings.
"With just a bit of preparation and the right cleaning approach for your decking, you can revive tired boards, prevent long-term damage and subsequent costs, and enjoy a more attractive outdoor space."
Before cleaning your decking, make sure to remove all furniture, plant pots and accessories from your decking, and then give it a sweep to remove any loose debris.
Then, mix half of white vinegar with one quarter of a cup of baking powder and three litres of water.
Use a soft brush to rub the vinegar mixture into the patio, then make sure to rinse it thoroughly afterwards.
Helen warned: "Vinegar is a natural and effective cleaner, but it contains acetic acid, which can stain your deck if left on the surface too long."
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The expert revealed that to make sure your decking looks in good condition all year round, regular maintenance is essential.
"Simple maintenance like brushing away fallen leaves, using pot feet for air circulation, placing covers over outdoor furniture and ensuring good drainage around the deck area can also help reduce long-term wear and weather damage", Helen said.
The expert added that timber decking requires a little more upkeep than other types of decking so its a good idea to apply a sealant or decking oil once a year.
And if your decking is covered in mould, social media users recently revealed another budget friendly hack to get it sparkling.
How to clean green algae off decking
Is your decking covered in green algae or moss?
The experts at Ronseal have shared their guide to cleaning your decking after a wet and warm winter.
You'll need:
A wire brush
Decking cleaner
A pressure washer or hose
Clear the decking
Clear your decking and grab a broom - give it decking a good sweep to dislodge any dirt.
Choose your cleaner
Some cleaners are better at tackling certain jobs than others, so you need to consider what it is you want the cleaner to do.
Decking Cleaner and Reviver preps new wood whilst cleaning up older decking. It can tackle algae and mould and can be used over stains and oils. It's a good general-purpose cleaner and can brighten up your decking throughout the year. This is good for decking that's dirtier than average and in instances where a brush and jet wash don't quite cut it.
Decking Stripper is for tough stubborn stains that won't budge. It does exactly what it says on the tin and strips all stains and oils from your decking. It's ideal for prepping your deck ready for a fresh coat of stain, paint or oil. This is most effective with really, really dirty and discoloured decking that needs reviving.
Clean your decking
Top tip: Before you power ahead, read the instructions on the back of the packet. Some of our cleaners don't need water and can be poured directly onto your decking.
Posting in the Facebook group"Cleaning tips tricks and hacks" one person asked: "Has anyone got any hacks for cleaning green mould off decking and patio areas without a power washer and a lot of scrubbing."
One reply said: "Washing powder! Sprinkle all over it and brush it in, let the rain do the rest - it comes up really bright and clean."
According to gardening enthusiasts from the popular Gardening On A Budget Official group on Facebook, the common laundry essential is a good hack for cleaning patios.
One member of the page explained: "I've used Aldi washing powder in hot water and brushed on with a stiff broom.
"Removed months of dirt and moss,'' the gardening lover claimed.
If you want to give this a go you can pick up Aldi washing powders from £3.95 for a 2kg bag.
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28 minutes ago
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It's approaching 8.30am on a Wednesday in June and 140 grim-faced teenagers are making their way into an exam hall. Today it's GCSE maths paper 2 (calculator). A posse of smiling staff encourage and cajole: 'Good luck, hope it goes really well.' 'Bags at the back please!' 'Use a black pen only.' A few stragglers reluctantly make an entrance. 'Find your seats quickly, please. Good luck!' Once everyone is seated, there's the exam prayer. (This is Urswick school, a mixed Church of England secondary in north-east London.) 'Heavenly father, be with me as I take this exam, keep my mind alert and my memory sharp, calm my nerves and help me concentrate.' Some candidates bow their heads, others stare glumly into the distance. Then, a few final words of encouragement. 'So, year 11, this is your time to shine. Good luck – you have an hour and a half. You may begin.' And they're off. Welcome to the 2025 summer exam season. GCSEs – the qualifications taken by 15- and 16-year-olds at the end of their secondary education – are well under way in assembly and sports halls across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But so too is a growing debate about whether it might be time to reform, or even abolish, the exams that have shaped young people's fortunes for almost four decades. The government's national curriculum and assessment review, including potential reform to GCSEs, will be published later this year. Not a moment too soon, for many. The GCSE – or general certificate of secondary education – was introduced in 1986, replacing the two-track 'sheep and goats' system of O-levels and CSEs (certificate of secondary education). Since then they have undergone several changes, most significantly under David Cameron's government and the then education secretary Michael Gove, who wanted a more 'rigorous' set of qualifications. He increased content, and replaced modules and coursework with end-of-course exams, graded by a number (from 1 to 9, with 9 being the best) rather than a letter. Critics have argued there are too many exams: students in England typically sit between 24 and 31 hours of exams in year 11, which is double, even triple, the totals for countries such as Ireland (16) and Canada (10). They say the curriculum content is vast and unwieldy – teachers struggle to cover it in the allotted time and pupils struggle to master it – and the high-stakes nature of the assessment creates excessive anxiety and stress for teenagers, more of whom now experience poor mental health, particularly since Covid. They are worried about the narrow academic focus, the danger of teaching to the test and the alarmingly high failure rate. Every year, about a third of GCSE pupils across England finish year 11 without achieving a grade 4 pass in English and maths. Then there's the fact that children in England are now required to remain in education or training until they're 18, making GCSEs at 16 kind of redundant. The roll call of industry leaders who would like to see them scrapped is growing. Among them are the former Ofsted boss Sir Michael Wilshaw and Kenneth Baker – the former education secretary who introduced GCSEs. They join institutions that have spoken out against the exams, such as Eton college, Bedales school, St Paul's girls' school and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Many teachers, parents and pupils still under the GCSE cosh would concur. 'While there is a place for these sorts of exams', Blair wrote in the Telegraph in 2022, 'we cannot rely on them alone: they only measure certain skills, they do not always do this accurately, and they invite narrow teaching styles aimed at passing tests rather than building other key aptitudes.' 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'We must face up to the stark truth that they reward children not just for what they know, but for the resources their families can draw upon – whether it is extensive help via the booming industry of private tutors or the middle-class assumptions embedded in our curriculum that alienate and disadvantage those lacking a particular cultural capital. 'We've created an exam system that perpetuates privilege from one generation to the next. Our meritocratic elites, obsessed solely with narrow academic memorisation tests, are losing the bigger political battles over our failure to nurture all talents in society.' Ben Davis, headteacher at St Ambrose Barlow Roman Catholic high school in Swinton, Salford, is among those who want change. 'GCSEs have run their course and are not fit for purpose. I'd go so far as to say they are making young people ill and they impoverish teaching.' 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