Plant care
20 Aug 2021

How to take care of cleaning indoor plants

With water, milk, beer … Why is it beneficial to clean the leaves of indoor plants?

Removing the dust accumulated on the leaves helps the plants breathe better.

All Pro Commercial Cleaning wants to give you some simple tips so that you can clean indoor plants, not only for aesthetics, but also for the health of the plants.

Cleaning the leaves of plants – when they are indoors and cannot directly receive rainwater – is not only a matter of aesthetics but, fundamentally, of health. Removing the dust accumulated on the leaves helps the plants breathe, since in this way the accumulated dirt is dragged on their pores, facilitating their photosynthesis process.

If we do not take this process into account, the amount of sunlight they receive will be reduced and it is likely that the plant will become ill – yellowing and stop growing – and even die. Experts recommend doing this task at least twice a month.

What must be taken into account before cleaning?

There are two key issues to keep in mind. The first is that the only part of the plant that needs to be cleaned are the leaves (neither stems nor flowers) starting from the base and moving towards the tip. It is also advisable to remove the dead leaves, both those that are on the plant and those that have fallen into the pot, since they obstruct the earth and prevent it from absorbing well the irrigation water.

The second important aspect is the size and shape of the leaf. The following classification can be established:

  • Large-leaved plants: They can be easily cleaned using a microfiber cloth soaked in water or another alternative product (some of which we will see below).
  • Small-leaved plants: In this case the best system is to spray them with water and shake them gently.
  • Plants with velvety leaves: It is best to use a brush or a soft hair brush (wet or not) to avoid damaging them.
  • Flowering plants: As we have already mentioned before, you should not touch the flowers because they are very fragile. If they are dry, remove them.
  • Cactus-like plants: The ideal is also a brush or an old toothbrush, which will also help us to protect ourselves from their thorns. No need to use water.
  • Hanging plants: These can be taken down to follow the following procedure: we put them upside down – holding the potting soil well with the other hand – and soak them for a while in warm water in the sink, basin or bathtub.

What products can be used?

Water: Water is the best ‘product’ for cleaning plant leaves. In the event that they are very dirty, a soapy solution can be prepared by adding a few drops of soap or gel. If this second option is used, the leaves must be rinsed afterwards only with water.

Other natural brighteners that can be used once the dust is removed are:

  • Oil: another option to polish the leaves is to wipe them with a few drops of olive oil.
  • Surely you currently have more pots at home than plants. It is an object that we tend to accumulate and that we hardly ever get rid of.
  • Vinegar, garlic infusion … What are the best home remedies to combat plant aphids?
  • Beer or milk: The barley in beer is beneficial for plants and gives them vigor. It is enough to wet a sponge or cloth, drain it and gently pass it through the leaves. Another alternative is to use a little milk, which is also an excellent fungicide and helps prevent the appearance of fungi.
  • Vinegar: vinegar is another totally ecological product that we can use to clean the leaves. In this case, it is advisable to dilute a splash of vinegar with water, for example, in a vaporizer.
    Banana: and finally, the most curious option is to rub the leaf with the inside of a banana peel.

 

Be careful, you should never try to polish plants with curly or hairy leaves.