Rather than splashing out on a pressure washer, simple kitchen ingredients could restore beautiful wooden fencing in the garden.

Instead of letting green algae turn your garden into an eyesore, you can remove the slimy substance with one simple cleaning solution.

If you don't get rid of the green algae, over time it'll deteriorate the wood and lead to decay and rot.

According to experts at Freedom Fence the perfect homemade cleaning solution consists of one part white vinegar to one part water.

For stubborn algae, an extra step is to add some baking soda into the cleaning solution to make a paste; a 200g container of baking soda costs as little as 65p in Asda.

Before beginning to clean the fence, the first step is to remove any debris from the fence, such as leaves.

Then using a sponge or brush, the cleaning solution – of white vinegar, water and baking soda – should be applied to the green algae on the fence.

"Make sure the wood is saturated, especially in areas with heavy growth," the experts advised.

Then using a scrubbing brush, the algae should be scrubbed off the wooden garden fence.

It is then advisable to spray the fence with a garden hose to rinse off the cleaning solution, which would otherwise leave a residue if it wasn't washed off.

How to prevent algae from developing on the garden fence

Once you have a lovely clean wooden fence, you will be wanting to make sure it looks that way throughout the spring and summer.

As algae grows in shady spots, if there are any shrubs that are causing unnecessary shade onto the garden fence, these are best trimmed back.

Routinely washing wooden garden fences every few months can also help to prevent algae from growing. 

And "using a high-quality wood sealant can protect your fence from moisture".

It's both shade and moisture that contribute to the development of algae, which is why these steps help to stop the invasive plant from taking over the fence.

There's no doubt that cleaning the fence may feel like an arduous task, but leaving the algae to grow uncontrollably will only lead to harder work down the line. 

"Remember, consistent maintenance and preventative steps are essential to keeping algae at bay and preserving the beauty of your wooden fence," the experts added.