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Grow with KARE: Dusting your houseplants

If you have any time or energy left after cleaning your hose for the holidays, take a look at the leaves of your houseplants. Chances are they need to be cleaned!

If you have any time or energy left after cleaning your house for the holidays, take a look at the leaves of your houseplants. Chances are they need to be cleaned. Here’s how to do that.

First, skip the shine products. They clog pores. And for the same reason, skip the mayonnaise -- we’ve heard that’s a thing, but it’s a definite don’t.

The leaves have tiny pores that need to stay clear for the plant to transpire, or breathe! We can see them pretty well on a jade plant that definitely needs a cleaning. Dust and dirt on the leaves of your plants can block some of what little sunlight they get this time of year. It can also reduce the amount of oxygen the plant releases, so dirty leaves aren’t good for the plant, or for you!

For medium to large plants, you should try to get them into the sink or shower to clean them. If they are too big to move, you’ll have to wipe each leaf with a damp, lint-free cloth. If it’s really dirty a little mild soap won’t hurt.

If you have really hard water, a small amount of lemon juice will help reduce water spots.

Water in a spray bottle is another option for any size plant but is especially good for the smaller plants that wouldn’t hold up to the spray of a shower or sink.

For plants that have fuzzy leaves, a brush is the best option. Just dust off each leaf gently.

Add your plants to the cleaning list after you finish the baseboards!

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