About Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Outdoor Surface Cleaners Award
Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Outdoor Surface Cleaners Award reveals the outdoor cleaning brand that delivers the best consumer satisfaction to its customers.
We ask Kiwi outdoor cleaner users to rate their satisfaction with their choice of cleaner brand by Overall Satisfaction, as well as important criteria such as Ease of Use, Effectiveness and Value for Money.
Numbers crunched by Canstar's researchers:
- 414 Customers Surveyed
- 7 Brands Assessed
- 3 Brands Shortlisted
- 1 Award Winner
The best outdoor surface cleaner brands in NZ
The brands rated are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
1. Wet & Forget
For the second year in a row, Wet & Forget is the standout outdoor surface cleaner brand in our award ratings, as judged by Kiwi consumers. It's the only outdoor surface cleaner to earn 5 Stars for Overall Satisfaction, a score it also achieves for the all-important category of Effectiveness, as well as for Ease of Use and Packaging. Wet and Forget takes home a great 4-star rating for Value for Money.
Wet & Forget is an iconic brand that was founded here in New Zealand. Its range of cleaning products encompasses the whole home, from laundry to garden.
Wet & Forget currently retails four outdoor surface cleaners:
Wet & Forget Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover
The original Wet & Forget concentrate features a unique combination of biodegradable fungicides that target moss, mould, lichen, algae, and general biological growth. When diluted with water and applied to a dry surface, it immediately attacks the growth. The weathering process then continues to remove the decomposing growth over time.
- Non-caustic, non-acidic and bleach free
- Requires no scrubbing or water blasting
- pH of 8 (water has a pH of 7)
- Biodegradable
- Helps prevent regrowth for up to a year
Rapid Application Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover
Wet & Forget's Rapid Application product is a sister product to its original blue Wet and Forget Moss, Mould, Lichen & Algae Remover. While both products have the same active ingredients, Rapid Application Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover comes in a handy applicator spray bottle.
- Non caustic and non acidic
- No bleach, which gives it an endless shelf life
- Safe to use on any exterior surface
- spraying
- Max reach of 8m
Double Bubble House Wash
Double Bubble House Wash easily dissolves dirt and grime on your paintwork, rather than moss, mould and lichen.
- Max reach of 8m
- Use once annually, as part of house maintenance
- Can help double the lifespan of paintwork
Hit The Deck – Deck Cleaner
Hit The Deck – Deck Cleaner is for cleaning dirty or blackened decks and other timber surfaces.
- 60m² coverage
- Designed to take most of the hard work out of heavy-duty cleaning on any softwood or hardwood decks, cedar weatherboards, fences, outdoor furniture, log cabins and pergolas
2. 30 Seconds
30 Seconds' home-cleaning products have been used in and around Kiwi homes for over 25 years. 30 Seconds has six outdoor surface cleaning products, which are available in a range of concentrate, ready-to-use, hose-applicator and hand- and motorised-spray packs.
Spray & Walk Away
The name says it all. All you do is apply, leave and allow the product to work over time to remove built-up lichen, moss, mould and algae on paths, roofs, brickwork and other hard surfaces.
- No hosing or scrubbing required
- Garden-safe phosphate- and bleach-free formula
Outdoor Cleaner
30 Seconds' Outdoor Cleaner is suitable for use on all hard, exterior, washable surfaces – simply spray, scrub and rinse.
- Works quickly
- Suitable for wood, paint, concrete, brickwork, paving, terracotta, cloth and plastics
- Ideal as a preparation for paint, varnish and stains
Roof & Awning Cleaner
Clean your roof and awnings without scrubbing or water-blasting. The cleaner works over time to remove lichen, moss, mould and algae.
- Suitable for terracotta, slate, concrete and steel roofs, canvas, polycarbonate, vinyl awnings, synthetic tiles and shingles
- Works with the weather to loosen and remove unwanted growth
Deck & Driveway Cleaner
Remove mould, dirt and grime from your deck or drive, also works on other outdoor wooden structures and furniture.
- Suitable for cobblestones, concrete, metal surfaces, paving, tiles and wood
House Cleaner
For mild cleaning and restoring exterior home surfaces. Can help prolong the life of your home’s exterior paintwork.
- Suitable for brick, masonry, metals, stucco and some woods (painted and unpainted)
House Wash
A milder home-cleaning product, suitable for removing light dirt and grime from exterior surfaces.
- Suitable for brick, masonry, metals, stucco and all wood (painted and unpainted)
3. Simple Green
Simple Green produces high-quality cleaning products with a focus on eco-friendliness. It has two outdoor cleaners in its range:
Outdoor Cleaner
Removes mould, dirt and grime from decks and driveways, also works on other outdoor wooden structures and furniture.
- Biodegradable product designed to remove dirt, mould, mildew and moss
- Helps prevent regrowth of moss and mould
Deck & Fence Cleaner
Suitable for all washable exterior surfaces, removes dirt, lichen, mould and mosses.
- Non-toxic
- Biodegradable and garden-friendly
Choosing the right outdoor cleaner for you
Whether you're cleaning the entire exterior of your home, your driveway, or just one particularly slimy part of your deck, when it comes to your choice of cleaning product, one factor is paramount: its effectiveness.
In our survey, most respondents (39%) say the most important factor when rating their choice of outdoor cleaning product is how well it lives up to its cleaning promises.
Value for Money is also another important consideration, along with Ease of Use – each cited by just under a third of respondents (29%).
Packaging ranks at the bottom of the list of influencing factors (3%), which is a little surprising, as a lot of outdoor cleaners rely on their packaging (i.e. spray bottles) for optimum results and economy of use.
Here's the full rundown of what the consumers in our survey say are the main things they consider when rating their outdoor surface cleaner choices:
- Effectiveness: 39%
- Value for Money: 29%
- Ease of Use: 29%
- Packaging: 3%
