Houseplants can be major dust collectors and are often an overlooked item during a cleaning routine. Keeping them clean and dust free not only improves the air quality of your home but also helps control pests and extends the life of the plant.
How to Clean Real Houseplants
Removing the dust is simple and only requires one ingredient: lukewarm water. Place plants in your sink or shower and give the entire plant a lukewarm rinse, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves. If moving the plant is not possible, simply wipe down the leaves with a damp, clean cloth, taking care not to crack delicate areas.
If you have a fuzzy-leafed plant like an african violet, use a soft bristled toothbrush or paint brush to gently brush off dust. A great way to throughly clean these small plants is to turn them upside down, supporting the plant and the soil, and swishing them in a basin of lukewarm water. Allow to drip dry in the sun if possible.
How to Clean Silk and Plastic Houseplants
Silk plants should not be exposed to water so we will need to get creative to get them clean. In order to give our fake plants a good cleaning, you will need:
- Salt
- A plastic bag large enough to fit your plant
- Rubber bands
- An old pair of nylons
- A vacuum with crevice tool attachment
Put your silk plant in a bag, add enough salt to cover the surface area and seal the bag. Shake the bag until the salt has adhered to the sticky/dirty areas of the plant. Remove from bag and let the salt sit on the plant for awhile, allowing it to absorb the debris. Once the salt has done its job, it is time to give the plant the once over with your vacuum. In order to prevent the leaves of the plant from getting sucked up in the vacuum you will need an old pair of nylons and some rubber bands. Cover your vacuum attachment (the crevice tool works best) with the nylons, securing it tightly with the rubber bands. Gently vacuum the salt and debris off of each leaf until clean.
If you have plastic plants, these can be washed in the sink or shower with water and a drop of detergent or the leaves can simply be wiped down with a damp microfiber cloth.
Great tips! I never even thought about cleaning a real houseplant!
Wow, how interesting. Never even gave cleaning a real houseplant a thought!!!
This is really interesting. I always wondered what the best way to clean them was!
This is great advice for me! Thanks.
I never really thought about cleaning houseplants. However a few of my plants are looking a little dusty.
I had no idea you should dust houseplants. Probably because mine don’t live long enough to need dusting, I do better with outside plants
I didn’t know you had to clean real houseplants. Thanks for sharing.
I never in a million years would have figured out your tricks for cleaning fake plants!! I have several up above our cabinets that are so dusty!!
I don’t have any houseplants. I kill all of them I touch. But I help my mother in law clean her house and she has tons of live houseplants and these tips will come in handy!
wow those are great tips, I usually just use a wet rag or paper towel.
I have a silk plant in serious need of a dusting. This is good to know!
Love these tips! Never would have thought to clean my plants in the shower. Great and simple idea! Thanks
My large tropical plants get “dusted” every once in a while
Thanks for the great tips! My houseplants do seem to collect a lot of dust, but I never thought to clean them before!
Good tips, always good to keep them looking great through the year! We have a real one, no fake ones here.
I would never really think about having to clean a houseplant. I wonder if that’s why all of mine always die? LOL! I never clean them!