![\"Why](\"https:\/\/drivewayplanner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Driveway-Planner-46.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTemporarily getting rid of moss is easy. A stiff brush or power washer is enough to clear it from the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But getting rid of it for good is a lot harder. Once you remove it, it can grow back within just a few weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moss grows easily on a wide range of surfaces and in a variety of weather conditions. As long as there is some moisture on your driveway, it will reappear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because moss doesn’t need much sunlight to photosynthesize, it grows even during winter and autumn. In summer, it may lose its green color but it doesn’t die. A bit of rain and it will spring right back up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moss is so resilient and adaptable that it\u2019s found in every climate region on earth including the arctic and even under water. There\u2019s even a desert moss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the main reason why moss is so hard to permanently get rid of is that homeowners don\u2019t fix the root issues that are causing moss to grow on the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what chemical you use or how hard you wash the driveway, if you don’t get rid of the dampness that\u2019s attracting moss, it will come back. In most cases, this involves improving driveway drainage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you plan how to fix your driveway to permanently get rid of moss, there is a wide range of commercial moss killers you can use to kill moss and keep it away for months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three main types of store-bought moss killers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Iron based moss killers are the most effective. The most commonly used iron compound is iron sulfate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Iron sulfate is typically used to deal with moss on lawns. It improves the health of the turf while at the same time making it hard for moss to survive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But you can also use it to kill moss on hard surfaces such as patios, walkways and driveways. It\u2019s available as a powder, granules or liquid. You can apply it directly onto the driveway or mix it with water and then apply (check the instructions on the label). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Iron sulfate works quickly to kill moss. You\u2019ll notice the moss yellowing within a few hours. It\u2019ll be dead in a few days and you can easily brush or wash it away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main downside with an iron sulfate moss remover is that it can easily stain your driveway. Test it on an inconspicuous spot before applying it on a larger area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Potassium salts of fatty acids, also called soap salts, are commonly used in insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Potassium based moss killers are less likely to stain your driveway, though they take longer to kill moss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to iron sulfate, potassium salts attack moss without damaging the lawn and other plants such as flowers. But be careful with application, as too much of it can burn certain plants. Spraying is the best method of application. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One big advantage of potassium moss killers is that they are mostly eco-friendly. They break down quickly in the soil and the potassium salts are non-toxic to birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, potassium salts are slightly harmful to fish and highly dangerous to aquatic invertebrates. Avoid using potassium moss killers close to a water body. It\u2019s also a good idea to only apply the moss remover when it\u2019s not raining to avoid potassium-containing runoff from getting into the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zinc sulfate is another safe alternative to iron sulfate if you don’t want to risk stains and discoloration on your driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zinc sulfate has many of the same eco-friendly properties<\/a> of potassium salts. It\u2019s good for plants, it breaks down quickly in soil and it is generally harmless to birds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But similar to potassium salts, it is harmful to aquatic life, and especially aquatic invertebrates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Zinc sulfate kills moss as soon as it comes into contact with it, but the moss will take a few days to yellow and completely dry out. If you have a thick layer of moss, it could take a few weeks for it to fully die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several other types of salts that are found in moss killers. One of them is benzalkonium chloride, which kills moss as well as mildew, mold, algae and fungi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When properly applied, benzalkonium chloride will protect your driveway from moss for up to one year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Always check the active ingredient in a moss killer before you buy it. Then look up how effective it is on moss, how long it takes to kill moss, and how often you need to apply it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also check whether the active ingredient is environmentally-friendly and safe for your lawn. The last thing you want is to turn your lawn brown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Store-bought moss killers can be pricey, especially because you need to reapply them regularly to keep moss at bay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are looking for a cheaper moss killer, you have several options in your home. These include easy to find chemicals such as bleach as well as natural products that are safer for aquatic life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A solution of household bleach and water will turn moss on the driveway yellow in a few hours. You can also use stronger bleach (10-20% sodium hypochlorite) if you have lots of moss on the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike the salts we\u2019ve discussed above that are generally safe for your lawn, bleach will kill plants it comes into contact with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be careful to spray it only on the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also be careful if you have paint or sealer on your driveway. While bleach is safe for bare concrete and asphalt, it can erode sealer or paint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To be safe, use a dilute solution of bleach. 20 ounces of bleach in 5 gallons of water is enough to kill the moss. After application, let the solution soak into the moss for 15 minutes then rinse it away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinegar will also kill plants non-discriminatively, so you want to be careful how you apply it. Make a dilute solution in a 1:1 ratio then spray it only on the areas with moss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vinegar can also remove mold, algae and weeds from your driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Baking soda kills moss by raising pH. But it works a lot slower than other methods. You need to give it a few days for it to completely kill the moss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can apply the baking soda directly onto the moss or mix it with water and spray it onto the moss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As with all the other products above, baking soda is bad for your lawn and other plants. Be careful when applying it. Don\u2019t apply it when it\u2019s raining or about to rain as the water could wash it onto your lawn, killing grass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want an all-natural way to kill moss, try using boiling water. The hot water instantly kills moss on contact, along with any weeds or grass growing on the driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then you just wait for the moss to yellow and dry out. You can then wash or brush it away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using boiling water is safer for your lawn compared to the other methods above. Even if the water runs off onto the lawn, it will have already cooled down and won\u2019t damage the grass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another all-natural method to kill moss is washing the driveway. Use a stiff brush to scrub it away or a power washer to blast it off the driveway<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a satisfying video of moss being pressure washed off a driveway. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Commercial Moss Killers For Driveway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Iron Moss Killers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Potassium Moss Killers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Zinc Moss Killers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other Compounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Best Homemade and Natural Moss Killers For Driveway <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bleach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vinegar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Baking Soda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Boiling Water <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Scrubbing\/Pressure Washing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n