One simple trick will make it easy to get ivy off of any surface, according to fans of cleanfluencer Mrs Hinch. The plant climbs up walls using tendrils to stick tight to any surface, and the leaves have a waxy coating that makes it resistant to many treatments.
But one step can make it easy to remove - and will stop it growing back. The advice came after a Mrs Hinch fan took toa page on social media looking for tips to tackle English Ivy.
Posting on the Mrsh Hinch fans Facebook group, member Clare Humphries posted: “Not really about cleaning but does anyone know how to remove ivy from a brick wall?” The post has since been swarmed with dozens of comments, with the majority suggesting to cut the plant off at the base.
As reported by the Express, Melisa Gill said: “Just cut it off at the bottom, wait a week or so for it to die off then it should easily pull off.”
Explaining the method further, Janette Haig replied: “Use secateurs to cut all the ivy stems at the base. Some of it should come away if you pull it.
“Try to get as much of the ivy off, as you can, as when it dries out it is more difficult to remove. You then may need to use a wire brush to get it off when it is dry and dead as it still is attached fast.
“You need to then dig out the roots with a spade. Any bit of ivy left on top of the ground or on the surface of the ground will regrow.
"You may need several attempts, to clear it. It is a lot of work but worth it in the end.”
Phyllis Connolly Behan commented: “Cut it at the bottom and it will die, then pull it off. Good luck.”
Paula Roberts suggested: “I just cut it from the bottom and pulled it off bit by bit. It never came back although I liked it but everyone else kept saying ivy pulls off the plaster.”
Sophie Claire Grayson said: “We had some serious ivy. Cut it off as close to the bottom as you can and in a few weeks it will just die and drop off.
"You can pull it off too. Then you just need to regularly keep on top of it.”
Linda Flay posted: “I think you are meant to cut it at the bottom and let it die back. There is less structural damage then.”
Other suggestions from Mrs Hinch fans included using vinegar, boiling water, bleach and a garden hoe. Sandra Prescott commented: “Vinegar is the best way. Pour it into the roots and let it do its stuff.”
Oz Oz suggested: “Be careful when you remove it. When we cut ours, it was full of pollen or dust but we didn’t even attempt it without a mask or old clothes.
“Boiling water and a white vinegar mix apparently kills it. Sometimes it can make a fence or wall unsafe because of the moisture it takes out of the wood or brick so be careful.”
Liz Keenan replied: “Bleach, cut it then pour it over it. That’s how I got mine off.”
Elizabeth Griffiths said: “My husband helped take a lot of ivy off a house wall by getting a garden hoe and scraping it off. It’s hard work but it did the job.”
