Easily Remove Moss From Roofs, Driveways, And Sidewalks With One Tool From Amazon

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you live somewhere humid and shady, moss growing on surfaces will be a familiar sight. Though this puffy plant has its uses — for example, you should add moss to your hanging basket before planting — spotting it growing in well-used areas of your home isn't ideal. It will latch on almost anywhere, including your roof, driveway, and sidewalks. Moss isn't just unattractive in certain settings. It can also retain moisture, leading to rot, and can make walking surfaces dangerously slippery. If you're looking for a safe and easy way to get rid of moss, there's a product on Amazon that may be just what you need. The Smarkey Floor Scraper costs just $38 and is designed to handle all kinds of messes, including moss buildup.

It has an adjustable handle so you can hold it at the best angle, reducing strain on your back. The scraper's edge is sharp enough to easily cut through moss on floors, ceilings, and roofs, as well as other materials like ice, adhesive, paint, and vinyl tiles. The Smarkey floor scraper has an average of 3.3 stars on Amazon across more than 50 reviews, with several happy customers expressing their love for the product. "The handle of this scraper tool extends to a very long length, nearly twice the length of a typical broom handle," wrote Lucky Guy in their 5-star review. "The scraper blade is protected by a rubber protector that you can pull off to reveal the sharp metal blade. It is easy to use both hands to scrape things up off the floor, and it was very effective at doing that."

While this tool is undeniably useful for clearing stuck-on muck from surfaces, it may not be the most durable product out there. Several customers wrote in their reviews that the product broke where the blade connects to the handle the first time they used it. "The scraper blade was doing just fine, however after 10 minutes of scraping the floor, the two tiny rivets broke at the neck and now the tool is useless," wrote Joseph Angel in their 2-star review. One way to prevent broken parts is to scrape as gently as you can and avoid tilting the blade at an extreme angle. This reduces the stress on the tool and, bonus, ensures you don't damage the surface below the moss. Generally speaking, 30- to 45-degree angle is best.

Though the handle is extendable — arguably one of the most attractive features of this product — don't pull it out all the way. "It is adjustable, however it doesn't hold well when any amount of scraping pressure is applied, so it really only has the base adjustment size," writes Max in a glowing 5-star review. In short, this isn't a heavy-duty product, but that just means it's ideal for removing soft greenery — like moss — growing on damp outdoor surfaces. Keep the blade sharp so it can slice through moss (or other materials) easily. Moss doesn't have true roots, so it should lift off easily. However, if you're dealing with uneven surfaces could put strain on the blade or moss growing in crevices, you may need a sturdier tool.

In addition to using the Smarkey floor scraper appropriately, there are some steps you can take to make moss easier to remove from a roof, driveway, or sidewalk. You need to kill the moss before you start scraping it off. For example, a few brilliant hacks to help tackle mossy driveway pavers include spraying the surface with dish soap, vinegar, or bleach mixed with water. There are also commercial moss removers available, like Lilly Miller Moss Out! Roofs and Walks Ready to Spray. Pick a day when it's not raining but avoid a sunny day, too. Cloud cover will keep the mixture wet, reducing evaporation and allowing it to do its job for longer.

Wait until the moss starts breaking down or dies completely, which can take anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks, depending on the method you use. Then scrape it off using the floor scraper, following the blade angle guidelines. It should lift from the walking surface easily, saving your back and ensuring your scraper stays intact. Once you've removed all the moss, you can try to stop it from coming back. For example, if there's moss on your driveway, it's likely damp and shady. Remove overhanging tree branches and divert runoff from irrigation and rain away from your driveway. You may still have to scrape up more moss occasionally, but hopefully it won't be as much of a chore as the first time.