According to a study carried out in Spain, having plants at home increases our emotional well-being and significantly promotes feelings of relaxation, happiness and positive moods. So, to properly care for an indoor plant we should not limit ourselves to watering it, there are many other factors that we must take into account. As with a person, plants are delicate and can get sick, so a good cleaning of their leaves is essential for the plant to breathe better.
Dust, solar pollution and low light are triggers for the plant to produce less chlorophyll. For this reason, we recommend cleaning indoor plants, especially if they do not receive rainwater. We show you how to do it!
How to clean plant leaves
For best results with cleaning indoor plants, it is best to run the plant under the tap and wash it with lukewarm water at moderate intensity so that it is not damaged. However, the ways to clean the leaves of plants can vary depending on their type and the nature of the soil. Here are some options to get beautiful leaves:
1. Natural water
As we have said before, water is the main resource to clean the leaves of plants. You can do it as above, or you can also use a hose or sprayer.
If the dirt on indoor plants is abundant, you can mix a liter of water with a few drops of shower gel and spray them with this preparation to rinse afterwards with clean water. If you are going to use this method, it is better to cover the substrate or lay the plant down so that this mixture only remains on the flowers.
2. Natural brightener
This is also an effective technique for your plant to show off pretty leaves, except for those with curly, velvety, or small hairy leaves. It is not recommended to use these products on them, although you can obtain very good results on the rest of the plants.
When you are going to use it, pass a sponge with soapy water through the leaves to achieve greater shine. You can also use olive oil as a natural brightener, and with both methods your indoor plants will be shiny.
3. Toothbrush
This method of cleaning houseplants is ideal for those with velvety leaves or small hairs. They are more fragile and can be damaged, so to clean them we can use an old toothbrush.
First, hold the leaf in your hand and gently brush over it. Start at the base and work your way carefully to the tip, remembering to rinse the brush from time to time and let it dry before using again for beautiful leaves.
Plant cleaning tips
Apart from watering and cleaning it, a plant requires much more care, such as removing those parts of the plant that are not healthy. That is, if the plant has wilted flowers, dry, yellowish or weak leaves, it is best to remove them. Thus, you will be able to dedicate all your resources to the conservation and proliferation of the rest of the plant.
You should also take into account the characteristics of each plant in order to maintain proper care. For example, there are some that do not allow their leaves to get wet, as is the case with cacti and succulents. For them, it is best to opt for dry cleaning.
Cleaning indoor plants is something that will only take a few minutes, however, its effects are very positive for them. Plants with beautiful leaves will provide a healthy and shiny appearance that will completely change the vitality of the environments.
In addition to all the above benefits, if a plant accumulates too much dust, it will make it difficult for them to breathe, which in turn will prevent them from feeding on the energy they obtain from oxygen at night.
Do not think with all this that outdoor plants should not be cleaned, because the logical thing is that they look healthy, shiny and with beautiful leaves. What is certain is that they are more easily cleaned and receive rainwater, which also helps them with their cleaning.
To achieve a spectacular shine, we show you another infallible trick: use products such as beer, spray vinegar or a cloth with a little milk. You can also boost the vigor of your indoor plants by adding some natural supplements to the water or soil, such as coffee grounds, eggshells or an infusion of cold tea, but find out first about what types of plants these remedies work best for.
How to clean a plant according to its type of leaves
Large-leaved plants are better cleaned with microfiber cloths or a similar material with a little water. On the other hand, for plants with small leaves, a sprayer is enough. Velvety leaves and cacti require a soft bristle or bristle brush to gently scrub them without jerking.
In short, you have to offer your indoor plants adequate maintenance if we want to keep them in the best possible condition. Only in this way will we achieve beautiful leaves and a healthy appearance.
In fact, if you don't clean indoor plants to help them breathe, dust and other external agents could accumulate on them. As a consequence, the amount of sunlight they receive could be reduced so much that they could become ill over time, and even die.
Finally, remember that cleaning plants that do not receive rainwater is vital to maintain their health, and that it is best to repeat this procedure at least twice a month.
