I Have More than 70 Houseplants — Here’s the $2 Item I Use to Keep Them All Dust-Free

Springtime is underway, which means slightly warmer weather and a little more sunshine. If you’re like me, you’re also exploring the best ways to care for your houseplants and prepare for their spring revival. Opening our doors and windows for that spring breeze also means we’re letting in gusts of dust that inevitably collect not just on furniture, but also on indoor plants.

With more than 70 houseplants, I have nearly perfected my plant care methods through years of trial and error. There’s one product that has made it super easy to clean the hundreds of leaves in my apartment and help my plant babies thrive during the spring and beyond — plus, it’s budget and eco-friendly.

Dusting off leaves is an essential part of making sure a plant can go through its natural process of photosynthesis and absorb sunlight. Layers of dust not only make leaves look dingy, but they can also block sunlight so I use a pair of these soft cotton gloves to gently yet effectively remove dust from my plants. 

Before these became my go-to plant cleaning product, I was using paper towels, which seemed a little abrasive for certain delicate leaves, or disposable dusters, which worked, but seemed quite wasteful. 

These cotton gloves are washable and reusable, and with a pack of three, they come in at just $2 per pair. They’re also great for protecting my hands from any lingering pests, irritating plant sap, and pesky soil. 

Once I’ve finished removing the dust from my plants, I lightly mist the leaves with water and wipe them using another pair to give them a more thorough cleanse and extra shine. Whether you’re looking forward to spring cleaning or not, your houseplants will thank and reward you with verdant lushness with the help of these handy cotton gloves.