Keeping your polytunnel clean is essential for an ideal growing environment, whether you grow veg in your tunnel, fruit or prized blooms that win show after show. First Tunnels show you the how and why of keeping your polytunnel in tip-top condition.  Read on for the best ways to clean a polytunnel and what materials you should use.

And the problem is…

… the great British weather. From the incessant rain of winter to the hot temperatures inside the polytunnel in summer, the combination of wind/rain/ice/heat/frost/damp and so create conditions that cause mould and other not-so-pleasant ‘things’ to grow.

Mould and other issues can attract pests that in turn, eat their way through everything you are trying t grow, from the leaves to the stalks and, in some cases, the roots too. Being infested with a nasty bug may mean that the everything in your polytunnel needs turning out and starting again, a time, effort and money-consuming problem.

The solution, therefore, is to keep your polytunnel clean.

But how?

The Clean the Outside

The outside of your polytunnel can become green with algae, a combination of rainwater and sun. To clean a polytunnel from the outside, you will need: ·

Algae cleaner suitable for use on plastic

A large cotton sheet

Two tennis balls

A long piece of cord

Soft brush/ sponge

A bottle with a spray nozzle

A willing helper

Pierce the tennis balls with a hole on either eased and tie each end of the cord securely through each tennis ball. Now tie the cotton sheet to each tennis ball securely so that it makes one large towel that is thrown over the top of the polytunnel. The idea is that you are at one end, your will helper at the other and using the tennis ball as you handle, you move the ‘towel’ back and forth between you to remove the algae.

But before you do that, follow the instructions of the algae remover, diluting in water and mixing well in your spray container. Liberally spray a section of the polytunnel, allow to soak for a few minutes and then shimmy with your towel. Complete this across the entire rooftop of your polytunnel.

Top tip

Some polytunnels owners dip the sheet in hot soapy water before throwing over the polytunnel as this too helps to cut through grease and grime.

You may also need to use the garden hose so that the roof and sides of the polytunnel remain wet during the cleaning process. You may also find that you have to repeat the roof cleaning process at least one more time, depending on the extent of the algae and other detritus that it attracts. Once clean, make sure you give the roof a good hose down to remove all remnants.

The sides

Now that the roof is clean, you need to clean the sides. Again, using a dilute solution of algae remover, use the spray nozzle to liberally douse the sides of the tunnel.

Using a soft brush and/or sponge, wash the sides like you would the car but taking care not to be too vigorous and pierce the plastic. Again, do this in sections and once you have the algae removed, hose down with water. When one side has been done, hose down liberally. Repeat on the other side.

To Clean the Outside

Once you have emptied your beds of your dashing dahlias or your veg and fruit, the inside will also need a good clean to prevent dirty patches. Inevitably, pockets of grime and mould attract pests and so this is a function that will need performing when you see the inside of your polytunnel not looking its best.

Using a dilute solution of the algae remover – but only if you need to – spray on the side and sponge off just as you did outside. However, you may not need to use a harsh chemical. If cleaning the inside is more about sprucing it up, then use a dilute solution of an environmentally-friendly dishwashing solution with water. Use a soft brush for harsher stains or problems areas and a sponge for the rest.

Just like the outside, clean in sections, hosing down with water as you go.

Power washers? A power washer is great for lifting oil stains off the driveway but the force of the water, even on the ‘gentle’ setting can be too harsh to clean a polytunnel. If you are going to use it, do so with extreme care!

Drying Time

The best solution to getting your polytunnel clean is to start as early in the day as possible and leave the door or doors wide open so that the gentle through breeze dries it off as the day wears on. And clean the tunnel before the main sowing and growing season to give your young plants the best chance. Polytunnels extend your growing year and with just a little TLC, will offer the best it can to your crops.

With a range of polytunnels and polytunnels accessories, First Tunnels supply gardeners across the UK with everything they need to grow all kinds of fruit, flowers and veg, from whopper pumpkins to tasty tomatoes.  If you have finding it too hard to clean a polytunnel you could always try a vegetable patch instead.