Indoor plants provide an aesthetic value and a sense of calm inside your home. Any serious plant parent knows that they, too, require great care like most other pieces in your home. If you haven’t thought about cleaning your plant leaves regularly, it’s time to start doing so. Knowing how to clean plant leaves naturally is essential not only for their appearance but also for their well-being.
The steps to clean indoor plant leaves are easy. Make sure you follow the right methods to keep your plants clean without harming them.
How to Clean Plant Leaves Naturally
You don’t need any special equipment or tools to care for your indoor plant leaves. Below are a few methods you can try to keep them looking clean and healthy.
Method 1: Use a leaf shine spray.
A leaf shine spray made with neem oil is an excellent product to use for cleaning the leaves of indoor plants. This oil can kill many disease-causing insects and remove foreign particles from your plants. The most common types of insects that you can treat using neem oil are aphids, fungus gnats, beetles, mealybugs, spider mites, and nematodes.
Regular application of neem oil to your indoor plants can prevent fungal diseases that can kill your indoor plants. It can also help your indoor plant leaves look fresh and vibrant all the time. You can spray neem oil directly onto the leaves and wipe it dry using a soft cloth. It is a natural leaf shine product that is completely safe for your indoor plants. They not only cause diseases but also take away essential nutrients from your plants.
Use the neem oil spray as often as needed to eliminate insects and other particles.
Method 2: Use a feather duster
If you are dealing with a fine layer of dust, you can use a feather duster to remove any dust that has accumulated on the leaves. A feather duster is ideal for the job because it is fine and has a non-abrasive texture.
Apply a gentle brushing motion over the leaves to remove dirt without being too rough. If you apply too much pressure and force, you could stab them or cause the leaves to snap.
Method 3: Use a microfiber cloth or rag
This method of cleaning indoor plant leaves works best on leaves that only have a small amount of dirt on them. It also works best on indoor plants with larger or wider leaves. Don’t forget to wipe the back of the leaves, too. The leaves breathe through the underside of the leaves.
Using a microfiber cloth or rag won’t leave any unsightly water spots (which are common when you rinse off the leaves with water). Make sure you use tepid water, distilled if possible, to moisten the cloth before you use it to wipe the leaves. Avoid using too rough a cloth as it can scratch the surface of the leaves while you’re wiping them.
Method 4: Rinse it off in the shower
Cleaning a large indoor plant can be a tough job. The best way to clean it is with a quick rinse in the shower. Use a detachable shower head for cleaning your indoor plant leaves so you can easily adjust the water pressure and the direction of the water. Avoid applying too much water pressure as it can cause damage to the leaves.
Place your potted indoor plants in the bathtub or shower area. Set the water to lukewarm and gently spray water onto the leaves. Once you see the dust has dissipated, you can move on to the next plant. Take the potted plant out of the bathtub or shower to air-dry.
This method is not recommended for small indoor plants as the pressure can destroy their delicate leaves.
Method 5: Wash with soapy water and a sponge
Instead of letting the water run through the leaves to wash off dust and dirt, you can take a more methodical approach with a soapy sponge.
Add soap to the water to create a soapy mixture. Dip the sponge into the mixture and use it to wash off dirt and dust from the leaves. Be careful to apply only gentle pressure to avoid damaging the leaves. Use your other hand to support the leaves when wiping to keep them from accidentally snapping off.
Method 6: Use a paintbrush
The use of a feather duster or microfiber cloth won’t work when you are cleaning plants with tiny leaves. For the latter, you need to use a paintbrush. You will get better precision in cleaning tiny leaves with a paintbrush while being effective at removing dust or dirt.
You can also find various sizes of paint brushes to suit smaller and more delicate plants. Any kind of brush will work as long as it comes with soft bristles.
Method 7: Dunk them in water
Another way to clean your indoor plant leaves is a simple method that involves dunking the plant directly into the sink filled with water. Fill your wash basin with tepid water. Make sure the water is deep enough that you can dunk any small potted plants into it. Carefully flip the potted plants so that only the leaves come into contact with the water. Use one hand to cover the pot and keep the soil from spilling out.
The dunking method is a good one for cleaning plant leaves naturally because it won’t require you to clean them again with a towel. You can let them air dry and there won’t be any water spots.
How Often Should You Clean Plant Leaves?
There are no hard and fast rules for when you should clean the plant leaves. It is best to do this regularly to maintain your plant’s well-being and to prevent the accumulation of dust. It is also important to assess the conditions within your home and the area where you live. Some areas make it more prone for your plants to collect dust and dirt.
Therefore, it is best to check your plants regularly to see if there is a significant amount of dust that needs cleaning.
