How do I clean my polycarbonate panels?

Algae will grow just about anywhere there is light, air and moisture, so inside the polycarbonate flutes is possible. Our rubber seal system does minimise the algae spores getting in but over time it can grow, especially if there are any gaps in the beading at the corners.  As a side note, make sure not to stretch the rubber beading as you are putting it in, it shrinks back to its original size and this can create little gaps in the corners. 

The thing is, if it were solid polycarbonate or glass, the algae/lichen would still grow on one or both of the surfaces of the glazing, as it does on commercial glasshouses all over the country.  It's just easier to clean with a solid sheet because you aren't dealing with it getting inside the flutes and can waterblast the surface.

The best fix is to remove the panels and clean with warm soapy water. There are some more effective moss/mold/grime cleaners available (60-seconds, Wet’n’forget, KiwiCare brands) that have products suitable but it is important to check with the manufacturer/supplier its compatibility with polycarbonate. 

We recommend avoiding ammonia-based cleaners and also any abrasive products as it will damage the polycarbonate.

Prevention is of course the best method, but it's not always possible to prevent.  But some things you can do include treating any algae spots you do see with warm soapy water before they have a chance to spread.  If it has been a few years and has gotten into the flutes, you can still take out the rubber beading and remove the affected panel/s (depending where the panel is this will likely involve some amount of dis-assembly of the greenhouse) and spray out the flutes with a cleaning solution then let thoroughly dry before assembling again.  If it's in the side walls, you'll just need to slide the outer gutter past the panel you are accessing and slide the panel up to remove it.  It does take a bit of time, but well worth the effort every few years to rid your greenhouse of any algae in the flutes.