How to Clean the Leaves of Houseplants

Your houseplants need to have clean leaves so they can better absorb light to produce some of their own food. That process is called photosynthesis. Indoor plants don't get cleaned by the wind and rain, like outdoor plants. And different types of indoor plants respond better to different cleaning methods than others.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plant mister filled with water–rain water is best
• Cotton swabs
• Clean, soft cloths

1. Spray plants often with a plant mister to keep the dust level down on most leaves. Use rain water if possible, or distilled water, in the mister. Chemicals in tap water aren't usually good for plants, especially the tender new growth on plants. For plants with smooth leaves, such as most varieties of ivy, philodendron, geraniums, herbs and most other house plants, lightly spray water on the leaves about three times a week, and don't forget to spray the undersides of the leaves, too.

2. Wipe hairy plant leaves with a cotton swab or a clean, soft cloth slightly dampened–not wet–with a little rain or distilled water at room temperature. A very soft brush can also be used as long as the leaves are brushed very gently. Support the leaf by placing your hand under the leaf and very lightly brush away the dust and dirt from the leaves.

3. Give periodic sponge baths to larger, non-hairy leaves. Larger-leafed plants will benefit from periodic sponge baths with a dampened soft cloth. Don't forget to also sponge off the underside of the leaves to keep the plant free from pests. You may be inclined to use the products that shine plant leaves. If you do, use this product sparingly because overuse can clog the pores of the leaves, inhibiting the leaves' ability to absorb light and produce food.

Tips & Warnings

• If your water is hard, add a little white vinegar to the water in the plant mister to keep hard water deposits from building up on the leaves that appear as white spots.
• If you discover insects on one of your plants, immediately isolate it from the rest of your houseplants. Pick off the insects, and wash the leaves with soap and water.

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on 4/22/2009 You should also check out http://www.cleanplantshappyplants.com They carry a line of shampoos and soaps specifically for taking care of plants. There are also great videos explaining how it works and the science behind it.