Houseplants will ‘look their best’ and ‘flourish’ when you do 1 simple job now
Houseplants can bring many benefits into the home, but only if they're looked after in return. According to an expert, one simple job can help them "breathe better" and "look their best".
While ensuring houseplants have the correct lighting and watering is a common job, cleaning their leaves often goes unnoticed. However, indoor plants benefit from regular cleaning because a dust buildup can prevent them from photosynthesising.
Alex Rorrison-Leech, cleaning expert at Marigold, told Express.co.uk: “While cleaning houseplants might not seem like a necessity, it is one of the most important jobs when taking care of indoor plants and giving them the best chance to flourish. Houseplants gather dust very easily and should be cleaned regularly to promote healthy growth. This will allow them to absorb more light to convert into energy, breathe better and look their best.”
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“Dust and grime on your plants can also attract and provide a haven for pests like spider mites and thrips, so keeping them clean is also key to preventing infestations.”
There are many affordable microfibre cloths on the market, including ones from Marigold for around £1 per cloth.
To use them, first go over the leaves with a dry cloth and simply wipe away any dust that may have gathered on the leaves.
The expert noted: “Using a dry cloth is effective for removing surface dust, as the static charge of the tiny microfibres will attract and trap dust.
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“These cloths are super soft, so they are great for handling delicate leaves to avoid ripping or damaging them, and are low linting, meaning they won’t shed any fibres or lint particles on your plant's leaves.”
Next, dampen your cloth with lukewarm water and go over the plant carefully for a second time.
The water will trap any remaining dust particles and, according to the pro, will also stop the dust from settling on your plant.
Alex continued: “Avoid using any household cleaning products when cleaning your houseplants, as the harsh chemicals can clog the pores of the leaves, hindering respiration and potentially harming your plant.
“It’s also important to avoid using hot or cold water as both can potentially damage the leaves’ tissue, so opt for lukewarm water instead.
“Be mindful not to saturate the leaves with too much water because many plants don’t tolerate excessive water.
“Just dampening your cloth slightly will be enough to pick up the dust.”
