Treating Algal Growth on Glass

Credit: iStockphoto

Isn’t that just a problem for all of us in the Pacific Northwest?!

I treat algal growth on wood or other surfaces annually with use a solution of 50-50 white vinegar and hot water. I use a stiff scrub brush to loosen the existing growth and allow it to sit on the surface for about 15 minutes before I rinse it off. I dip the brush into the solution as I go. I hope you can do this safely with a long-handled brush on your balcony. This mildly acidic solution seems to slow the algal growth, and I’ve found it to be safe for my hands and my plants. However, it won’t keep the algae away forever; I find that it usually comes back in about a year. As you have noticed, the growth is more prolific in the shade and after the damp winter months.