Consumer advocacy teardown
Organic Path, Patio & Deck Cleaner Concentrate alternative & active ingredient dupe
Stop paying £11.99 for Algon. The bulk active is Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid) — 70% less per working litre than a typical pack.
- Active
- Acetic acid
- CAS
- 64-19-7
- Dupe
- Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid)
- Saving
- 70% / L
Saving is per litre of working-strength mix versus a typical pack price, not versus the DIY kit total. Shop prices move — always check the listing.
The Marketing Claim & The Catch
A typical 2.5 litres pack of Algon Organic Path, Patio & Deck Cleaner Concentrate is about £11.99 in patio & exterior. That is a snapshot, not a live Amazon price — listings, sizes and deals move. The marketing line is that you are buying a finished lifestyle product, not a weighed chemical.
On the pack: Organic, non-toxic formula safe around pets and ponds; and No rinsing or scrubbing — apply and walk away.
The catch: The ‘organic patio cleaner’ is about 18% acetic acid with a drop of sugar-derived surfactant. Dilute 1:3 and you have ~4.5% vinegar. Spirit vinegar at 25% is the same molecule in a 5 litre jerry.
- “Organic, non-toxic formula safe around pets and ponds”
- “No rinsing or scrubbing — apply and walk away”
Proprietary Blend & Dosage Breakdown
The labelled active is Acetic acid at 18%. Everything else in the pack is water and a trace of alkyl polyglycoside surfactant.
At 18% active, most of what you pay for is carrier and packaging. The brand is selling convenience, fragrance and a label — not a uniquely potent molecule.
Branded working strength is whatever comes out of the bottle. The bulk alternative is 25% Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid), mixed to 1:4.5 (to ~4.5% working, matching Algon 1:3).
- Labelled active
- Acetic acid
- 18%
- Carrier
- Water and a trace of alkyl polyglycoside surfactant
- Retail pack
- 2.5 litres · £11.99
The Active Chemical Alternative (Dupe Stack)
The dupe stack is Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid) at 25% bulk. Indexed as CAS 64-19-7, formula CH3COOH. Buy it as 5 litres for about £9.99 from Amazon UK.
Working strength: 1:4.5 (to ~4.5% working, matching Algon 1:3). Indicative cost £0.36 per diluted litre — 70% below a typical branded pack on a per-litre basis, before you reuse leftover bulk.
Follow the mixing method and the supplier SDS. Wear the listed PPE. Do not mix incompatible oxidisers, acids or ammonia.
- Wear household gloves. Keep off foliage — acetic acid scorches leaves.
- 1 part 25% spirit vinegar + 4.5 parts water lands near 4.5% acetic acid, the same order of strength as Algon diluted 1:3.
- Apply to dry masonry with a sprayer or soft broom. Do not rinse. Results show over a few days as algae browns off.
- 5 litres of 25% makes about 28 litres of working mix. Store away from bleach (chlorine gas).
Mixing desk
Dilution calculator
Switch between filling a sprayer and covering a measured surface. Figures are educational estimates from the listed ratio — always check the SDS.
Formula
Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid)
- Concentrate
- 909 ml
- millilitres of liquid
- Water
- 4.09 L
- carrier volume
- Batch cost
- £1.82
- 5 L working solution
- Saved vs retail
- £22.16
- 92% · retail £23.98
Estimated coverage at the listed rate: 30 m².
Side-by-Side Price & Potency Comparison
Head-to-head comparison
| Measure | Retail brandedAlgon | Raw active dupeDupeStack |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Organic Path, Patio & Deck Cleaner ConcentrateAmazon UK search — listing, not a confirmed seller | Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid) |
| Pack / unit | 2.5 litres · £11.99 | 5 litres · £9.99 |
| Active | Acetic acid at 18%Carrier: Water and a trace of alkyl polyglycoside surfactant | 25% bulkCH3COOH |
| CAS number | Not disclosed on pack | 64-19-7 |
| Working strength | Ready-to-use pack | Dilute 1:4.5 (to ~4.5% working, matching Algon 1:3) |
| Cost per litre | £4.80 / L typical pack | £0.36 / L mixed from bulk |
| Headline saving | Baseline | 70% cheaper |
| COSHH / PPE | Follow the branded SDS | Gloves. Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)Ventilation. Use outdoors or with mechanical extraction |
Active ingredient and cheaper alternative — FAQ
What is the active ingredient in Algon?
Algon Organic Path, Patio & Deck Cleaner Concentrate is labelled as Acetic acid at 18%. The carrier is Water and a trace of alkyl polyglycoside surfactant. Pack size: 2.5 litres. The bulk equivalent we index is Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid) (CAS 64-19-7).
Is Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid) safe on paving?
Used at the listed working strength (1:4.5 (to ~4.5% working, matching Algon 1:3)), the dupe is the same chemistry as the branded pack for paving, porcelain and masonry. That is not a blanket all-clear: read the supplier SDS, wear the listed PPE, keep acids away from hypochlorite, and follow UK HSE/COSHH rules. Wellness teardowns are supplements, not medicines.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Algon Organic Path, Patio & Deck Cleaner Concentrate?
Yes. The bulk equivalent is Spirit vinegar 25% (acetic acid) (CAS 64-19-7). Indicative saving 70% per working litre versus a typical £11.99 pack. Working strength: 1:4.5 (to ~4.5% working, matching Algon 1:3). Live shop prices move.
How do you mix the Organic Path, Patio & Deck Cleaner Concentrate dupe stack?
Wear household gloves. Keep off foliage — acetic acid scorches leaves. 1 part 25% spirit vinegar + 4.5 parts water lands near 4.5% acetic acid, the same order of strength as Algon diluted 1:3. Apply to dry masonry with a sprayer or soft broom. Do not rinse. Results show over a few days as algae browns off. 5 litres of 25% makes about 28 litres of working mix. Store away from bleach (chlorine gas).
DupeStack provides chemical concentration data and educational mixing guides. Always review official manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and comply with UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and COSHH regulations when handling concentrated substances. Some links on this site are affiliate links.
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DIY stack · 70% / L vs branded
£19.50indicative kit · Amazon cannot add a mixed search kit as one basket