You Should Clean Indoor Plants
When a disaster strikes your home, the last thing you think about is cleaning up the plants . But indoor plants get dirty and dusty, just like everything else in your home, even if they require special know-how to clean them. Many cleaning products (and even mild soaps) can damage the leaves and roots of the plant, so it’s worth knowing how to decorate them without causing long-term damage.
Why you should clean your plants
Plant leaves can collect dust just like any other surface, and if it accumulates enough, it can actually block light from entering, interfering with photosynthesis. This sounds far-fetched, but scientific studies have shown that dust can actually affect a plant’s ability to feed on its own . Dust can also hide common signs of illness or infection ; Keeping the leaves clean will help you identify and fix any problems before they kill your previous plant friend.
So how often should you clean your plants?
When to clean your plants depends on the type of plant, how dirty it is, and the ventilation in your home. Home therapy suggests spraying the leaves during each watering. If there is a film of dust, it’s time to clean. If your house is usually dusty or your windows are often open, you may need to clean your plants more regularly. Otherwise, clean weekly or biweekly will be enough.
How to clean plant leaves
When it comes time to brush, you will need to use different tactics for different types of plants . Smaller plants can be gently dipped in a sink to remove a light layer of dust. Be careful when turning the plant over to avoid pushing it out of the container or pulling it away from the roots, and lightly wave the leaves back and forth. In most cases, you can wipe the leaves of larger plants with a microfiber cloth soaked in warm water, starting at the top and innermost leaves and moving gently from stem to tip, but for, say, a cactus, this is difficult. In these cases, a feather duster works well. Be sure to clean the bottom of the leaves where insects like to lay their eggs, and use a different cloth for each plant to avoid spreading pollutants to other plants in your home. Once you’re done with the leaves, peel the stems and quickly wipe down the pots. Avoid using chemicals and soaps that can damage the leaves and roots of your plants. If you want to get rid of insects, Apartment Therapy suggests rubbing the leaves with a banana peel; the peel will remove dust and leave a film that effectively repels aphids.