Cleaning Houseplants: Ways to Do it and Things to Keep in Mind

August 12, 2024

Do you love growing plants at home?  But cleaning houseplants is a vicious chore? Then, this article is for you.

Houseplants are one of the best accessories and important fixtures of a home for every plant lover. Bringing a little bit of green into your house helps to add more positivity to our homes. It can also add new layers of texture to your home's overall design. Houseplants are great options to divide interior spaces and fill voided corners of your home. 

This image has been taken from Pexels.

However, houseplants will collect dust over time like any other decor item of your home. Cleaning houseplants must be a part of your regular cleaning schedule. Unlike other decor items, plants need to be clean to live. The pores of plant leaves have to be kept clean and free from clogging, and hence timely cleaning of houseplants is an important thing to do at our homes.

What to Keep in Mind While Cleaning Houseplants?

Indoor plants are very delicate when compared to plants that grow outside. Hence, you should always be gentle with them while cleaning. It can take some time and practice for you to get it right but keep in mind that rushed cleaning and use of harsh chemicals on plants (no matter how gently you use it on them) will only give you bad results. Never use vacuum cleaners or canned air to clean your houseplants no matter how busy you are, as these methods will only damage the leaves and stems of your plants. There are several other ways to clean your plants using daily household items. 

This image has been taken from Pexels.

Different Ways to Clean Your Houseplants 

Method 1: Using a Soft Cloth to Remove the Dust on Houseplants

Cleaning houseplants using a soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth is a good choice to do the job without damaging it. Cleaning plants using cloth is apt to clean plants with large leaves as it can be a less tedious process. You can start wiping from the base of the stem to the tip of the leaves using a dry cloth and then wiping them again after dampening the clothes. Just make sure that you rinse the cloth after you wipe them, to get rid of the dust. 

Method 2: Dusting Houseplants Using a Feather Duster 

A feather duster is a delicate object, and it attracts as many dust particles as they glide through the plants. You can easily use a feather duster to remove fine layers of dust on houseplants, but it won’t be effective on multiple dust layers. Slowly glide the feather duster over the leaves from the base of the stem to the tip of the leaves. You can remove the dust from the feather duster by simply taking it outside and shaking it. 

Method 3: By Adding a Gentle Cleanser 

The leaves of your houseplants are like your skin - they are delicate and only need gentle cleansers. Many household solutions are safe to use such as a mild dish soap solution or rosemary oil. The use of rosemary oil will also help to keep pests away from your houseplants. 

Spray the solution onto the plants and follow it with a clean-water rinse. Make sure that you wipe from the stem to the leaves with a damp cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth.

Here are some examples of homemade cleaning solutions you can use to keep your houseplants clean.

Mild Soap and Water Solution Mix a few drops of mild liquid dish soap with water in a spray bottle, spray on the leaves, and gently wipe with a soft cloth.
Vinegar and Water Solution Combine 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 1 liter of water in a spray bottle, spray lightly on the leaves, and wipe with a soft cloth.
Neem Oil Spray Mix 1 teaspoon of neem oil, a few drops of mild dish soap, and 1 liter of water in a spray bottle, spray on the leaves, and wipe after a few hours.
Rosemary Essential Oil Spray Mix 5-10 drops of rosemary essential oil with 1 liter of water in a spray bottle, spray on the leaves, and gently wipe with a soft cloth to clean and repel pests.

Spring Cleaning Service in Singapore: Clean Houseplants and Arrange Garden Pots 

Cleaning and maintaining your houseplants well and arranging garden pots goes a long way in adding to their years. Removing dust from the plants will keep you away from allergies as well in addition to the general health and well-being of your houseplants. At Sendhelper, we take care of all your plant and home related cleaning needs.

Download the Sendhelper app or visit the website to know more about the offers and to book our service at the earliest.

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