Spring cleaning has begun for many of us. And while rugs are being washed, windows are being wiped clean of winter dirt, and bedding aired out to refresh, there’s a section of the home that most folks forget to add to their checklist: house plants.
Your leafed friends can accumulate a noticeable dulling patina of household dust (aka your skin flakes and dirt) when untended, and now is a good time to revive them to their full luster with a simple solution of lukewarm water and a mild dishwashing soap or insecticidal soap. Be sure not to use a soap with a degreaser in it; degreasers can harm the leaf cuticle. For plants with smaller, multiple leaves, wrap the top of the soil with aluminum foil, flip the potted plant over and swish them in a bucket of warm water with a little mild soap, then rinse with clean water. Your photosynthesizing friends will love you for it.
I saw a tv show once where they wiped down the leaves with the inside of a banana peel. Obviously it works better on plants with larger leaves, and I tried it myself on my corn plant and the leaves were instantly clean and shiny.
My plant guy told me to use milk! to clean and shine the leaves of my potted friends. And it works.
My mom had me clean the house plants with large leaves with a small amount of mayo, they were instanting shining and stayed that way a long time. I do that now and hopefully, it's not bad for the plant as it makes the leaves look great.
view stacey's profile