What is the best way to wipe the leaves of indoor plants from dust: they will be healthy and shiny

Houseplants care for us as much as we care about them - they absorb some harmful substances from the air and collect a lot of dust on their leaves during the breathing process. And from time to time, it is essential to remove this pollution. Some people use special tools for this purpose. But not all of them are useful or even safe. The best way to care for the leaves is to use only soft, settled water at room temperature. However, sometimes this is not enough.

OBOZREVATEL has collected some tips on how to wipe the leaves of indoor plants from dust and stains. These products will improve their condition and make the greens shinier.

Vinegar

Many indoor plants respond well not only to a slightly acidic soil composition but also to acidic leaf rubs. The main condition is that the solution should be very weak so as not to damage the leaf blade. You can use ordinary food vinegar. Dilute it in the proportion of 1 tablespoon to 3 liters of water. Lightly moisten a microfiber cloth with this liquid and gently wipe each leaf, avoiding excessive moisture. At the same time, support the leaf from below to prevent damage. It is important to choose a lint-free cloth for care, so as not to leave extra small particles on the leaf's surface.

Citric acid

Where vinegar is not suitable, you can also use food-grade citric acid. It should be diluted in soft, settled water in the proportion of several grams per liter of water. The solution should be very weak. It is important to make sure that the product is completely dissolved. If the smallest granule of acid gets on the leaf, it can burn it.

Succinic acid

This substance can also be used to care for the leaves of indoor plants. But, as in the previous recipes, it is important not to overdo it. It is better to take less than to overdo it. One tablet per liter of water will be more than enough. But it is also important to dissolve the product completely in water.

Soapy water

Only completely natural types of soap, such as Castile soap, can be used for this method. You need to dissolve a small amount of the product in water, and then wipe the leaves on both sides with this solution. The advantage of the soap - "bathing" for plants is that soap kills insect pests, their eggs, and larvae. It is not recommended to carry out the procedure with soap regularly. It is used only to save heavily soiled leaves.

Homemade polish from neem oil

The oil of the Asian neem plant not only makes the leaves shine but also prevents the development of mold on the leaves and repels insect pests with its smell. You can buy ready-made polish with neem oil, or you can make it yourself. All you need to do is mix 1 teaspoon of clarified product with 750 ml of water in a spray bottle and shake the liquid thoroughly to get an emulsion. Use this polish very carefully—just a few drops on a cloth—because excessive oil can clog the leaf's breathing pores. Therefore, this tool is used infrequently and in small quantities. To enhance the protective properties of the polish, you can add 1 tablespoon of natural Castile soap to it. In this case, it will become even more effective against pests. Only plants with smooth, lint-free leaves can be treated with the product.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told you what to add to water for watering plants to make them grow more intensively.

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