How to Clean Terra Cotta Planters
Terra cotta (baked clay) planters are well-loved in gardening communities for their simple shapes, excellent breathability for plants, good drainage and inexpensive cost. These planters are available from small pots to very large planters and they come in every design imaginable. Keeping your pots and planters in good shape, season to season, is well worth the effort. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Stiff bristle brush
- Undiluted 5% white vinegar
- Spray bottles
- Hose
- Bucket
- Bleach
- Baking soda
- Non-scratch scrub sponge such as Scotch-Brite™ brand
- Loufa
Instructions
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1
Remove all dirt from the planter and scrub it using a stiff bristle brush. Do not use soap on the planter as it may absorb the soap and then transmit soap into the plant the following season.
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2
Spray the inside of the planter with undiluted white vinegar from a spray bottle to kill bacteria and mold and to lift stains. Continue to scrub briskly, then rinse the planter thoroughly with the hose when the inside is clean. It is often a good idea to work over a bucket and to occasionally immerse smaller pots in water.
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3
Mix bleach and water at a ratio of one part bleach per ten parts water, then put the solution in a spray bottle. Clean stubborn stains with a small spritz of the bleach-water mixture and scrub. If possible, once clean, immerse the pot in water to neutralize the bleach as much as possible.
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4
Clean mineral deposits (white stains) off the outside of planters using a paste of baking soda and water. Add water to baking soda until it forms a paste-like consistency. Scrub the planter using a non-scratch scrub sponge such as a Scotch-Brite, or a loufa. Rinse well and allow all planters to dry completely in a hot and sunny location before stacking and storing them for the season.
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Tips & Warnings
Store your pots and planters for winter by placing them upside down on a shelf. If you have to stack your pots, separate each pot with the paper from a brown paper bag. This will keep the pots from wedging together and cracking when you separate them. Large planters that are too heavy to move indoors should be lifted with planter feet and sheltered as much as possible. Pots may crack from expansion and contraction if they have poor drainage. Store your seasonal pots in a frost-free area that is not exposed to the weather.
