Why clean the plants?
There are many reasons to clean plants.
- The first reason is aesthetic. Indeed, we choose plants to decorate its interior which immediately becomes more welcoming, more alive. But when dust collects on your plants, they become dull and you have plants that give the impression of being neglected. They must therefore be dusted off as we do for all the objects in the house.
- Then, for its proper development, the plant needs to be cleaned. Indeed, it needs light to produce photosynthesis. It is through this mechanism that the bioenergetic process of plants takes place. Light is therefore essential for the development of your plant. This explains why it is important to allow it to be able to assimilate as much as possible the rays of the sun by ridding it of the layer of dust that will hinder this process.
Dust off plant leaves
To clean and dust the leaves of your indoor plants, several solutions are available to you. We invite you to discover alternatives to chemicals, making sure that they are just as effective.
Dust the leaves with a brush
In the case of plants with downy leaves, for example, it is possible to remove dust with a brush. Preferably, take a brush with soft bristles. It can be a paint or makeup brush. To clean, you just have to start with the leaves that are the highest on the plant and once all the highest leaves have been dusted, you can move to the level below, etc.
If, on the other hand, you dusted from the bottom up, you could put dust back on the sheets cleaned just before. During the operation, also remember to tilt the pot slightly so that the dust falls outside it.
Using a hair dryer
This solution should be used with care so as not to risk damaging the plant. It is therefore preferable to use it only if the plant is not fragile. It is important to have a hair dryer that will allow you to regulate the temperature, but also the air flow. To best preserve the plant, you should then use cold air and minimum power. This tip will save you precious time since you won’t have to dislodge dust in every vein of the leaf.
Shower your plants
To effectively dust your indoor plants, place them in your shower tray and water them with the shower head. Make sure to use water at room temperature and not to set the pressure too high. All you have to do is let them drain before putting them back in place.
Put your plants in the rain
When it rains, if you have an outdoor home, you can put your plants outside so they can benefit from this life-saving watering. However, this solution can only be envisaged when the temperatures allow it.
Clean the leaves with a sponge
To rid your plants of dust, it is possible to use a previously moistened sponge or a damp cloth. If you opt for the latter, it is important to make sure that it does not fluff otherwise you will find it all over your plant and you will just have to start over. You can use demineralized water or rainwater to avoid having lime traces on the plant. Remember to clean the place, then the back of the leaves.
Sponge tongs are also available on the market. This utensil allows the cleaning of the sheets both on the right side and on the back in one pass. To do this, soak the sponge tongs in non-hard water, then, with one hand, hold the end of the sheet while with the other, you pinch the sheet, without applying too much pressure, between the two sponges of the forceps. Then you just need to slide along the entire length of the sheet.
With which product to clean the leaves of plants?
To clean your plants effectively, it is not necessary to buy specific products in the store. Instead, favor more natural products already in your closet.
Milk
Yep, you can use milk to clean your green plants.
- Just mix equal amounts of water and milk in a container. It is not necessary to prepare liters and liters of it.
- Moisten a soft cloth with this mixture, then wipe your leaves one after the other with this mixture.
- For an impeccable result and if you are not at the end of your patience, you can polish your leaves using a soft cloth for a brilliant result.
Beer
Another grandmother’s trick is to clean the leaves of your plants with a cloth soaked in lager. This solution not only removes dust from the leaves, but also makes them shine. Always apply it with delicacy, holding the sheet by placing one hand behind it. Then all you have to do is do it sheet by sheet.
Olive oil
Another tip for adding shine to your houseplants is to use olive oil. Just put a few drops on a damp cloth that you then gently wipe over each of the leaves. In addition, you benefit from a natural repellent against a large number of parasites including aphids.