Deep cleaning is a process that involves cleaning those things in your house that rarely get any sort of attention. And few things in the average home get less attention from cloths and vacuums than house plants.
Yes, these are living things, but they can attract dust and dirt like anything else. While you obviously can’t use polishes and sprays, there are a few cleaning methods that will keep all your indoor plants in tip-top condition.
Why is it important to clean house plants?
Most people never think to clean their house plants, yet there are some very compelling reasons to do so at least once a year. For example, plants are good for homes, as they are a source of oxygen, and they are good at reducing airborne bacteria. If a plant is covered in dust and dirt, however, these benefits are significantly reduced.
Like anything in your home, your plants have to be dusted and cleaned to keep them looking their best. But this process is also crucial to the long-term health of the plant. It’s important to remember that a plant is cleaned automatically in its natural habitat by wind and rain — which obviously aren’t around in your living room.
A plant that is perpetually covered in dust and dirt won’t be able to access sufficient light for successful photosynthesis. A lack of food for a plant can be fatal, or at the very least leave it looking tired, discoloured and droopy.
Don’t think that your plants are immune to pests and disease because they live indoors. Pests always find a way, so you need to take preventative measures. Having a cleaning schedule in place for house plants will help you to keep potentially harmful pests to a minimum.
Remove dirt and dust carefully
There are no shortcuts when it comes to cleaning house plants. To ensure you don’t damage them, you should be very deliberate and precise with your approach. Use a small paint brush to gently wipe off dust from each individual branch, leaf and petal — but do so while supporting them with your other hand. Never use anything other than water to clean, as oils and other agents can block pores and stop your plants from absorbing oxygen.
Clip your plants
Summer is the perfect time to clip and prune your plants. You should look for dead or dying leaves, stems and branches, and carefully remove them to encourage new growth and regeneration. Make sure you remove all the waste from the soil, however, as certain plant diseases can spread very easily.
Give your plants a shower
Use a small watering can to sprinkle room-temperature water over all your plants’ leaves and branches. This will remove stubborn dirt and dead insects. However, never use water straight from the tap, as cold water can cause spotting. If you’re dealing with large house plants, place them under a lukewarm shower. After leaving your plant to drip dry, place them in the sun for a few hours to dry off.
If you’re cleaning small house plants, the kitchen sink is the perfect place for their shower. Alternatively, you can turn them upside down and very gently dip their leaves into a sink of lukewarm water. However, you’ll need to use your hands to support the soil and the branches.
Make cleaning your house plants an intrinsic part of your deep cleaning schedule, and all your indoor foliage should enjoy a long and healthy life.