Natural Remedy for Moss on a Roof

Manual Removal

• Prop a ladder against the side of the home and use a push broom to manually remove the moss. For safety reasons, do not attempt to climb on the slippery, moss-covered roof. Move the ladder around the home to manually remove as much moss as possible, as this is the safest, most effective method.

Homemade Moss Killer

• Pour 5 cups apple cider vinegar into a plastic bucket. Add 2 tbsp. table salt, 2 tbsp. molasses and 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap to the mixture. Stir the ingredients and pour the mixture into a plastic pump sprayer’s reservoir. Choose a lightweight pump sprayer that comes equipped with shoulder straps, as it will be lifted and handled while holding onto a ladder.

Applying the Moss Killer

• Create pressure by pumping the sprayer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wear the pump sprayer on your back, climb up the ladder and spray the mixture onto any remaining moss. Allow the mixture to eat away at the moss for at least 15 minutes before spraying the roof with a garden hose. The acidic apple cider vinegar will kill the moss without causing damage to the roof, or creating toxic runoff that could damage vegetation around the home’s perimeter.

Preventing Moss Growth

• Trim away any branches hanging over the roof to promote air flow, which will create an unfavorable environment for moss growth. Remove any debris, including dead leaves and broken braches, and apply zinc sulfate to the roof. Zinc sulfate comes in spray and powder form and will naturally inhibit moss growth without staining or damaging the roof.