I tried Wet & Forget Mould, Lichen and Algae Remover to clean my path and driveway – the results were astounding and I’ll never use a pressure washer again
The rain this summer has proved a bonus – helping to speed up the process of almost effortless cleaning of encaustic tiles with this wonder product
![Wet & Forget Mould, Lichen & Algae Remover 5L on pink background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AjtfgtL5oLjRRtas8J4Lf-415-80.jpg)
Between autumn and spring every year, the encaustic tiles on my front path – particularly those beneath overhanging plants – grow a sticky, engrained lichen that absolutely refuses to budge, however hard I work at it.
This spring, though, I was sent a 5L carton of Wet & Forget Mould, Lichen & Algae Remover (which you can buy at Amazon) to try at home. It’s on Ideal Home’s list of the best patio cleaners, and I had heard it was good – but I wasn’t convinced it would remove the lichen.
After all, my Kärcher K 4 Power Control Home Pressure Washer (also available at Amazon, if you’re in the market) is rated as one of the best pressure washers, and that hasn’t been able to shift it over the years. I was quickly proved wrong – this product is not only easy to apply, it’s something of a miracle worker where pressure washers fail. The results aren’t instant, though – as I’ll explain.
How does Wet & Forget work?
You simply sweep your path – or almost any outdoor surface, including fences, roofs and even artificial grass – clean of debris, then soak it with a solution of one part Wet & Forget to five parts water to your clean, dry surface. The quickest, easiest way to apply it is with a pressure sprayer – this Spear & Jackson Pressure Sprayer at Amazon has over 24,000 five-star reviews – or, you can do what I did and mop it on.
It leaves a slightly sticky residue that has to be allowed to dry out – so don’t apply it on a day when rain is forecast any time within the next five or six hours, don’t let pets near it and try not to walk on it. I applied mine early on in the evening when I wasn’t planning on going out again.
Then, after a solid 15 minutes of fairly effortless mopping, I waited… for rain, which quickly removed the residue of the product and, over the next few days and weeks, more slowly washed away the invincible sticky lichen – you can see the before picture above and the after picture below.
Since it can take months for the lichen to regrow, I can simply just reapply a second coat in around three months to discourage any further growth. And yes, the weather is what does the trick in helping to remove the lichen, but if it doesn’t rain – I’ve given up on summer, so I’m pretty sure it will – you can mimic the effect with your hosepipe or watering can.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
An added bonus? The product does not harm plants unless you spray it directly onto them, which can cause some leaf burn.
Testing Wet & Forget against other products
One of my colleagues tested Wet & Forget alongside two other patio cleaning products in the summer of 2022 – nearly two years ago to the day. She brushed it onto a section next to the other products, clearly separated by masking tape, with Wet & Forget in the middle section.
The results were obvious in a couple of weeks, but in three months, it was even more evident that the Wet & Forget worked better than the competitors. While all three had cleared most of the moss and lichen, the central section where Wet & Forget had been was definitely the cleanest – all without any scrubbing.
And, the product continues to work over time. Now, two years later, the rectangle to the right has all but returned to the colour and lichen coverage of the rest of the paving (you can only just see the outline of the section).
The left-hand rectangle is much better with only some slight marking, but the central rectangle, where Wet & Forget was used, has escaped all but the most persistent dirt.
What the reviews said
Finally, I was curious to see how other users had got on with the product so I dipped into Amazon’s reviews. Some reviewers highly recommended it not just for paths and fences but also for the exterior of their homes which were plagued with moss.
The one that chimed most with me was from a reviewer who said, ‘I’ve done the pressure spray approach before. It’s painfully slow and messy, especially if you do it properly and resand the gaps and seal the blocks.
My pressure hose deals with dirt, but struggled with the lichen. So, in short, this is vastly easier and vastly faster and vastly more effective. Just vastly slower [to see the results]. So it’s a once a year thing – do it once, takes 20 mins and never ever needs thinking about again.’
I joined the Ideal Home team as Gardens Editor in June 2024. After studying English at Royal Holloway, University of London, I began writing for Grow Your Own, which spurred on my love of gardening. I’ve tried growing almost every vegetable under the sun, and I have a soft spot for roses and dinnerplate dahlias.
As Gardens Editor, I’m always on the lookout for the latest garden trend. I love sharing growing hacks for every space, from herbaceous borders to balconies.
When I haven’t got my hands in the soil, I can be found curled up on the sofa with my cat and a good book.
-
HexClad BBQ Grill Pan review - I test out the pan with a cult following
I tried it and loved it
By Helen McCue
-
What is a back kitchen? This is how to achieve this premium kitchen trend for less
You don't need to have a huge kitchen to build in a secondary space - these tips will help you create a back kitchen in any size room
By Holly Cockburn
-
Tesco’s new homeware launch is simple and stylish - and it impressed us
Understated is clearly effective
By Kezia Reynolds
-
I tried a pan from Gordon Ramsay's favourite cookware brand and now I want every piece in the collection
I tried it and loved it
By Helen McCue
-
Why is my Christmas cactus dropping leaves? How to save this festive favourite before it’s too late
If you spot the signs early, you’ll be able to save your Christmas cactus
By Lauren Bradbury
-
How to overwinter fuchsias – even tender varieties can survive the colder months with the right know-how
Protect your plants this winter
By Sophie King
-
How to store pizza ovens in winter - top tips to protect it from the elements when summer ends
Everything you need to know about weatherproofing this outdoor kitchen essential
By Lauren Bradbury
-
The 5 best wallflowers to plant now for bright, beautiful borders
Get your garden ready for springtime by planting these pretty blooms...
By Kayleigh Dray
-
What is perlite? Garden experts explain the benefits and how to use it to help plants thrive
Find out more about this handy material to have as part of your gardening supplies
By Ellis Cochrane
-
9 plants to propagate in September to get a head start on next year’s garden without spending a penny
Why buy more plants when you can propagate what you already have?
By Lauren Bradbury
-
What to harvest in September – enjoy the fruits (and veg) of your labour this month
Fill your kitchen with homegrown goodness
By Sophie King