How to Clean a Plant

Plants get dirty just like anything else around the house. Clean your plants whenever you clean the room; keeping them clean will help them live longer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cleaning Cloths
• Cleaning Cloths
• Feather Dusters
• Plant Cleaner
• Skim Milk
• Warm Water

1. 

   Inspect your plant. If it has been neglected and is dried up and covered in dust and dirt, it isn't worth cleaning. Throw it out.

2. 

   Use a damp cloth or a feather duster to wipe away dirt or dust on a healthy plant.

3. Mix a solution of 1 qt. warm water with 1/2 c. nonfat milk. Wash each leaf individually with a sponge. Don't forget to wash the undersides of the leaves, too; insects love to hide under there.

4. 

   Use a commercial plant-cleaning product as directed to clean leaves and make them shine.

Tips & Warnings

• Use warm water in your milk mixture; cold water shocks the plant.
• Skim milk gives a slight shine to the leaves but doesn't leave an odor like whole milk.

[judithbelle]

on 5/8/2009 would using a bit of vinegar help clean some very dusty leaves??

[SensitivePlant]

on 1/13/2009 For the inside of the leaves I clean our TickleMe Plant with a fine mist, as using a feather is likely to make the leaves instantly fold. At night I will try your technique as the TickleMe Plant also folds up at night and not just when it is Tickled. I found my supplies to grow this fun plant at http://www.ticklemeplant.com

[writetruth]

on 10/21/2008 Good tips! I use a little (very little) dish soap in water and lighty wash off leaves with the solution. It cleans and keeps aphids off plant. This is good inside and out. Stars ~!~

[writetruth]

on 10/21/2008 Good tips! I use a little (very little) dish soap in water and lighty wash off leaves with the solution. It cleans and keeps aphids off plant. This is good inside and out. Stars ~!~

[DiscountTickets]

on 9/18/2008 Great idea, we really need to make time for our lovely plants, they bring us great energy into our homes.