Should You Be Dusting Your Houseplants?

Houseplants need care and maintenance to remain healthy. One way of caring for your houseplants is to dust their leaves. It is always a good practice to regularly clean up dust inside a home. If you allow dust to accumulate on your houseplants, they could hide bigger problems. Here are a few reasons why you need to dust the houseplants in your Renton home.

Dust Can Make You and Your Plants Sick

Accumulated dust is much more than just a nuisance. Studies have shown the harmful particles in the dust may cause or worsen many health problems such as asthma and allergies. If dust is that bad for you, imagine the effect it’s having on your houseplants. Since plants need light to feed themselves through photosynthesis, allowing dust to coat their leaves affects how much light they take in. Likewise, it could prevent your houseplants from giving off the optimal amount of oxygen, leading to dirtier indoor air. Dusting your greenery will keep both you and your houseplants healthy.

Dust Can Hide Bigger Problems

Just like dusty furniture, baseboards, and windowsills, dusty plants can also become an eyesore. It can make your house look dirty and unkempt. Dust can also bring along more problems, such as mold and disease. Dusting your houseplants regularly lets you check them for developing issues. If you stop mildew or plant diseases just as they are starting to develop, you can keep your plants healthier.

Dust Invites In Pests

Neglected houseplants are also favorite hiding places for bugs and other pests. When you don’t dust your plants for a while, you may discover unwanted pests lurking within them. Regular dusting will prevent your houseplants from being colonized by pests as you can spot signs of infestation early. Plants that are well-cared rarely develop serious pest problems.

When you notice that your houseplants need dusting, cleaning them is a simple task. Your first step is to use a dusting wand or microfiber cloth to gently wipe the dust off of each leaf for most plants. Gently dust plants with small or delicate leaves using a small paintbrush.

Next, use a soft cloth dipped in tepid water to wipe your houseplant’s stems and leaves. Large and sturdy plants can be cleaned by spraying the leaves clean in your kitchen sink. Keep in mind that houseplants can be damaged when you use water that is either too hot or too cold. Once the leaves and pot have been rinsed or wiped down, let your plant air dry completely before you put it back in its place.

Maintaining houseplants is not complicated, but it needs to be done on a regular basis to ensure green and healthy plants. Would you like to learn more about this or other home maintenance tips? Real Property Management Eclipse can help! Contact us today online or call us at 425-209-0252.