The do’s and don’ts on how to clean plant leaves
Don’t use leaf shining products
You may be tempted to invest in a leaf shining product to get the leaves of your houseplants looking all glossy and lovely when you are investigating how to clean plant leaves. However, with proper plant care, you won't need it. Shining your leaves this way could also lead to you thinking your plant is healthier than it is, and this may mean you forget to water or feed it as often as you should. Another reason why we disapprove of leaf shining products is that they could suffocate your plants. Plants breathe through their leaves, and the wrong leaf shiner could clog up the stomata (the little pore-like openings in the leaves), meaning they can't take in the carbon dioxide they need to survive. Depending on the variety, healthy plants will have naturally shiny leaves and won't need to be artificially enhanced in this way. The shine can encourage dust to stick to the leaves, too, so you may end up with a clumpy, uneven look that means you have to clean and re-shine them over and over again.
Do gently clean your plants with a damp cloth
Dust in the air can land and build up on your plant leaves and clog them up. To keep your plants free of dust, give them a wipe with a damp cloth every so often. Ensure you take care and are gentle, particularly if plants have more delicate leaves. Support the leaf with one hand and wipe away from the stem towards the tip of the leaf. Don't forget to wipe the undersides of leaves, too, as this is where you'll most likely find pests.
Don’t be tempted to scrub your leaves
Most plants won't take kindly to being handled too roughly. Don't risk damaging the plant leaves by scrubbing them too hard. If you do, you might snap or break the leaves, so always clean cautiously and slowly for the best results.
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Taking it back to the basics when you are looking into how to clean plant leaves is dusting. Using a feather duster to keep dust at bay is another quick and easy solution to keep your plant leaves healthy
Do give them a shower
A less time-consuming and still effective cleaning option that's particularly good to consider when researching how to clean plant leaves is to stick them under the shower. Lukewarm water is ideal. While under the shower, you can carefully rub your hands over the leaves to ensure the water gets into all the nooks and crannies. You can also tip your plant at different angles to help with this too. Just make sure you turn your shower on slowly - a sudden blast of water might knock the soil out, leaving you with a big mess and blocked pipes and wishing you hadn't started to begin with!
Do use soap
Did you know that you can use regular washing-up liquid to clean your plants? Simply add a squirt of liquid detergent to your washing-up bowl and gently clean your plant's leaves with a damp cloth as instructed above. You can also use your hands to rub the mixture onto the leaves. This is a particularly effective method for getting rid of pests such as spider mites. Just make sure that you rinse all the soap off the plant once you are done.
Do try lemon juice or vinegar for more stubborn buildup
If your leaves have a buildup of residue that's hard to wipe off, then mixing water with either lemon juice or vinegar can be a great solution. The key here is to keep it pretty weak as you don't want to damage your plant's leaves. A quarter teaspoon of vinegar or half a lemon can be mixed with a pint of water and sprayed on the leaves. Vinegar is also a pest deterrent. The acid in both lemon juice and vinegar is acidic and can dissolve mineral salt deposits that can dry on your leaves if the water in your area is particularly hard. However, too much acid can damage the leaves, so use sparingly.
Don’t forget to dust!
Taking it back to the basics when you are looking into how to clean plant leaves is dusting. Using a feather duster to keep dust at bay is another quick and easy solution to keep your plant leaves healthy and an excellent interim job between wipes. This is only effective on plants with larger leaves - and remember to get those pesky undersides as well. If you've got a houseplant with more delicate leaves, you could try the same using a soft makeup brush.
Watch us clean our Bird of Paradise leaves here.
Now you know how to clean your plant leaves, what will your next houseplant be?
Keeping your plants healthy will mean you can enjoy them year after year. Cleaning plant leaves should be part of your plant care routine, and by cleaning your plant's leaves regularly, you can rest assured you are taking good care of them. So now you know, why not browse our range of gorgeous houseplants, and brighten up your living space today.