Just like the novels and knickknacks on your bookshelves, houseplants collect dust over time. This dust not only may be harmful to your health — especially if you have respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma — but also impacts your plant’s vitality.
Unfortunately, dusting plant leaves isn’t as easy as taking your feather duster to the affected areas. This can cause the particles to go everywhere and potentially damage the delicate leaves if you aren’t careful. And wiping them down with a damp paper towel is both tedious and wasteful. Instead, the best tool for dusting plant leaves might be hiding in your dresser drawer.
Why Do You Need To Dust Plants?
Getting rid of the dust that accumulates on top of your plant’s leaves can create a better environment for your houseplants to thrive. Dust gets in the way of plants’ ability to absorb sunlight, hindering photosynthesis, and consequently, nutrient production. Keeping the leaves clean helps ensure they get the nutrients they need to thrive.
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The Best Way To Remove Dust From Plant Leaves
Fuzzy socks — you know, those plush, microfiber pairs that keep your feet toasty in the cold — can be an effective way to remove dust from plant leaves. Just slip a fuzzy sock over your hand and gently wipe away the dust buildup. The particles get trapped between the sock’s tiny fibers, and the material is soft and gentle on the leaves, so you don’t have to worry about damage. You can also opt for cheap microfiber dusting gloves, which allow you to get into all the nooks and crannies.
To cut down on how often you need to dust, you can spritz your houseplants with a dust-repellent solution. In a spray bottle, combine 1 quart of water with 1 teaspoon of neem oil and a few drops of liquid dish soap, then shake it up. Spraying this solution onto the leaves not only keeps them clean (the oily residue makes it harder for dust to hang on), but also doubles as a pest repellent since neem oil is a contact insecticide that can kill pests instantly.
