House plants are a great way to add a touch of nature to your home. Not only do they look great and add a bit of life to the room, but there are also some incredible benefits to owning houseplants. From dust reduction to absorbing bacteria and toxins, houseplants can do a lot! But how do you keep them clean and dust-free? Well, you don’t need any harsh chemicals – just use soap, water, and sometimes a bit of lemon juice. Keep reading to find out how to keep your house plants looking their best!
Keeping Houseplants Clean with Soapy Water or Baby Wipes
Keeping your houseplants clean can be a great way to keep them healthy and looking their best. A simple solution of soapy water is an effective way to help remove dust and dirt from the leaves. To make the solution, mix a small amount of all-natural liquid soap with lukewarm water. Once the mixture is ready, you can use it in two ways: either wash your hands with the solution and then gently apply it to the plant or dip a soft cloth into it and wipe down each leaf.
However, if you don’t have the time or ingredients to make a soapy solution, you can use baby wipes instead. Baby wipes are an easy and safe way to clean your plant’s leaves. Simply grab a wipe and gently wipe down each leaf until it is free of dust and dirt.
Keeping Houseplants Dust-Free with Simple Cleaning Methods
Another method to keep your plants dust free is to use a damp cloth. Gently wipe all the leaves of each plant with a damp cloth, making sure to get into any crevices and hard-to-reach spots. If you want to add a small amount of hand soap onto your cloth, just remember to use water and not harsh cleaners that could damage your plant’s leaves. After wiping down the leaves, rinse them off with lukewarm water and then let them air dry before returning them back into their pots or planters.
In addition to wiping down the leaves, you can also consider investing in certain types of houseplants that are known for their dust-absorbing properties. While not all plants are created equal when it comes to dust absorption, some varieties such as spider plants and peace lilies can be particularly helpful in reducing the amount of dust present in your home.
Safe Cleaning Solutions for Porch Areas
When cleaning the porch, it is important to use a product that won’t harm any of the plants in the area. Liquid dish soap is an effective way to clean without causing any damage to your plants. To make a safe cleaning solution for your porch, mix three tablespoons of liquid dish soap with one gallon of water. Make sure the liquid dish soap you choose doesn’t contain unnecessary ingredients such as bleach or fragrances as these can be harmful to plants.
For a more natural alternative, plant-based cleaners are a great choice. Plant-based cleaning uses natural enzymes from plants to break down grease and grime and remove debris from household surfaces. Natural sterilants can kill germs, leaving surfaces germ-free and sanitary.
How to Dust and Disinfect Plant Leaves
What do you wipe down plant leaves with? The plant’s leaves can be dusted with a dry microfiber cloth or a duster. It’s easy to do, just gently wipe the leaves with a soft microfiber cloth and for larger plants, use a duster. When you dust other areas of your home, use the same duster on your plant to avoid spreading any bacteria or dirt between surfaces. This is especially important if you have multiple houseplants that are close together as it will prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, when using these tools make sure they are clean before and after each use to ensure that no dirt or debris is transferred from one surface to another.
When it comes to disinfecting plant leaves, smooth-leaved plants such as African violets can benefit from a light mist and gentle wiping with a soft cotton cloth. However, baby wipes that have been infused with chemicals should not be used as the plant leaves can be damaged by the chemicals.
Instead, a clean, damp washcloth or paper towel can be used for larger plants that can’t easily be moved to the shower. The leaves should be wiped from the stem to the tip for the top and underside.
Alcohol wipes can also be used on plant leaves, but it is important to remember that any concentration over 70 percent is not safe and may cause burns and damage to the plants. Always apply a small amount to a single leaf and observe it for one to two days. Don’t use it on the entire plant if it causes burns.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning with BioClean Wipes
When it comes to cleaning wipes, BioClean wipes are the only disinfectant surface wipes on the EPA’s List N that are biodegradable and manufactured in the United States. Unlike traditional synthetic wipes, BioClean wipes are made of natural materials and will decompose up to 86% in 45 days when placed in a landfill compared to non-woven wipers which can take up to 100 years for them to break down. These natural material-based cleaning products offer an eco-friendly solution for those looking for a sustainable alternative when it comes to home cleaning. Not only do they help keep your home clean, but they also help reduce your carbon footprint.
Cleaning Houseplants with Caution
But even with the best cleaning methods, it is important to remember that touching your plants may not be a good idea. According to Phys.org, a new study from the La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food has found that most plants are extremely sensitive to touch, and even a light touch may significantly stunt their growth. This means that while you should use gentle cleaning methods on your houseplants, it is also important to be mindful when handling them so as not to cause any harm or damage.
Spraying rubbing alcohol on your plants is an effective way to clean them, but it can also be quite damaging if not done correctly. It is important to wait at least one day after applying a small solution of rubbing alcohol on a plant’s leaves, as the effects may not be immediately visible. Burn marks, curled or withered leaves, and other negative reactions are possible because alcohol acts as a desiccant. If your plants seem to be unaffected by spraying alcohol, use it in moderation.
Another cleaning method that should be avoided is using antibacterial hand soap on your plants. Dish detergent (like Dawn), laundry detergent, and hand soap (even “natural” versions) should not be used on plants since they contain abrasive ingredients. The best DIY insecticide is organic pure castile liquid soap since it is natural and highly effective.
How to Give Your Houseplants a Shower and Clean Their Leaves
If there is a lot of dust on your plants, you may want to give them a shower in your tub or sink. To do this, fill the tub with lukewarm water and place the plants inside. Then use your hands to gently move around the leaves, making sure to get into any crevices and hard-to-reach spots. When you’re done, turn off the faucet and allow the plants to sit in the water for several minutes before draining it and letting them air dry before returning them back into their pots or planters. When giving a shower to your houseplants, make sure that you only use lukewarm water since hot or cold water can cause shock which can damage their leaves or even kill them completely. Additionally, be careful not to overwater as this could lead to root rot which is fatal for most houseplants. Lastly, if possible try not to get any of their roots wet as this could also cause irreparable damage over time.
When it comes to cleaning your plants’ leaves, olive oil should be avoided as it can cause damage to the leaves, accelerate dust build up, and draw more pests. Instead of using olive oil for cleaning plant leaves, you can use a mixture of milk and water, horticultural oil or neem oil.
However, if you’re looking for a natural solution to cleaning your plants’ leaves, lemon juice is an effective and safe alternative. Lemon juice is an acid that can dissolve dust and mineral deposits on the leaves which occur when hard water dries on them after watering. And the best part of all? You don’t have to do this every time you water your plants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of ways to clean your house plants without causing damage to their leaves. Lemon juice, horticultural oil, neem oil, a milk-water mixture, and even a combination of all-natural liquid soap and water can be used to clean the leaves of your house plants. Additionally, a damp cloth or a baby wipe can be used to wipe away dust. However, it is important to remember to not use harsh chemicals or abrasive ingredients on the leaves, as this could damage the plants.