How to Clean Plant Leaves

Dust can accumulate on houseplant leaves if you don’t regularly wipe them down like other surfaces in the house.

How can you restore the bright, healthy green of your houseplant’s leaves? Blocking sunlight and respiration can wreak havoc on photosynthesis and respiration, potentially leading to plant health issues. So how can you make them look vibrant again?

Water

Plant leaves that become dirty can look unsightly and are essential for the plant’s well-being. Photosynthesis occurs there, so dirt or dust prevents the plant from absorbing critical nutrients.

Cleaning your plant’s leaves is easy with a dampened soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge, then wringing it out thoroughly. Next, wipe down each leaf from the bottom up while supporting it and eliminating dust or dirt particles.

Once drenched, rinse off the cloth or sponge and repeat with another to ensure none of the dirt reaches other plants.

Hard water stains can be a real pain to get rid of, but they’re not impossible. Try using a solution of vinegar and water to dissolve mineral deposits that form. However, use only a weak mixture, as too much acid may damage your plants’ leaves.

Vinegar

If you’ve been unsuccessful in eliminating dust and other stains from plant leaves, vinegar could be the answer. This ingredient, commonly found in many home supplies, works wonders to clean away plant leaves thoroughly.

Vinegar can also be a natural solution to remove stains from fruits and vegetables. It may also eliminate unpleasant odors from onions, garlic, and other foods.

It can also be an effective weed killer, though you should exercise caution not to spray too much liquid on your plants.

You can use a soft cloth dipped in vinegar or lemon juice to wipe down your plants’ leaves. The acidity of these two ingredients will help dissolve mineral salt deposits that can dry on your plant’s leaves if you have hard water.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is an organic way to clean and polish plant leaves without harming them. It’s a safe, gentle solution that will keep your houseplants looking their best without causing any harm to them.

Adding lemon juice to your water can help eliminate lime deposits on houseplant leaves and deter pests and insects by breaking up oils on the leaves with their acidity.

If you want to spritz some lemon juice and water on the leaves, creating a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water is another option. Simply spritz a cloth with this solution before gently wiping down the leaves. Finally, rinse them off with clear water to prevent soil from adhering again.

Lemons are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants that support the immune system. Furthermore, they provide thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, copper, and manganese for essential mineral absorption.

Soap

Dust, grime, and mineral deposits accumulate on plant leaves over time, detracting from their organic look. Regularly spray your plants with soapy water, and use a clean cloth to remove these accumulations.

You can also use water, vinegar, and lemon juice to clean your plants’ leaves. Vinegar breaks down minerals in hard water, while the acidity of lemon or lime juice breaks up any soap scum that has built up on the leaves.

An excellent soapy solution for larger plants on foliage is a one-quarter teaspoon of dish soap per one quart of lukewarm water in a spray bottle. Dip the plant into this solution, swish it to wash away dirt and foliage, then gently rinse with warm water.