4 Simple Techniques for Cleaning Indoor Plants

When cleaning your home, you may not stop to think about spending a little extra time cleaning your houseplants as well. After all, who really wants to add more tasks to their chore list? But unlike bookshelves and baseboards, cleaning indoor plants has more than aesthetic benefits. It’s actually a health advantage for your plants, and one they rely on to grow properly. Too much dust layered on their leaves and your plants will struggle to properly absorb sunlight and feed themselves through photosynthesis. Thankfully, cleaning indoor plants is a fairly straightforward process!

How Often Do I Need to Clean My Houseplants?
The first question you might be wondering is if you need to add plant cleaning to your to-do list, how often is it needed? The answer largely depends on how dusty your climate is and how quickly it accumulates on the leaves. To start, give your plants a thorough inspection every time you water (generally every 1-3 weeks). If your plant looks clean, wait a few more weeks. If its leaves look coated in dust or debris, it’s time to implement one of these four simple techniques for cleaning indoor plants:

1. A rinse in the shower
   An easy way to clean larger indoor plants is by giving them a shower! If your water pressure is lighter, this can be accomplished by simply placing your plants in the bathtub and turning on the shower. If you have a removable shower head, spray them gently with lukewarm water until clean. The bathtub is also a convenient place to let your plants air dry.
2. A scrub with a soapy sponge
   For plants with larger or stiffer leaves, such as the Snake Plant, using a soapy sponge can be a good alternative to giving your indoor plants a shower. A soapy cleaning is ideal when leaves are extra grimy or have a thick, tough layer of dust. Just be sure to use a non-abrasive sponge and keep leaves properly supported as you clean them, so they don’t accidentally snap.
3. A soft feather dusting
   Some indoor plants are too fuzzy or fragile for a traditional cleaning with water. In these instances, using a feather duster can have a similar effect. Gently brush leaves with the duster until the debris is coaxed off the surfaces. Another option is to use a microfiber cloth to remove dust at the same frequency you dust other areas of your home.
4. A thorough misting
   A foolproof method for cleaning any of your indoor plants, especially those with many small leaves, is with a mister. Fill your mister with lukewarm water, then gently spray down the leaves in the morning. This will give your plant a chance to dry out during the day. Be sure to mist the top and bottom of the leaves and mist enough to fully saturate the leaves with water.

Once you’re done cleaning indoor plants, remove any dead leaves and stems to keep them as healthy as possible. Your plants will show their appreciation by growing lush and strong! How do you clean your indoor plants? I’d love to read your comments!

XO,
Micah