Houseplants, like any living thing, need regular maintenance to stay healthy. But did you know that dusting their leaves is one way of caring for your houseplants? Most of us know that dust inside the home should be cleaned up regularly. However, there could be other hidden problems if you let dust collect on your houseplants. Let’s take a peek at why you must dust the houseplants in your Dupont Circle home.
Dust Can Make You and Your Plants Sick
Accumulated dust can become more than 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. If plant leaves are coated in dust, they can’t get enough light for photosynthesis, which is how plants make food for themselves. Dust also prevents your houseplants from releasing as much oxygen as they could, leaving you with less clean indoor air. It helps to dust your houseplants regularly to keep both you and your greenery thriving.
Dust Can Hide Bigger Problems
Dust on plants, just like dust on furniture, baseboards, and windowsills can 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. Nipping mildew or plant diseases in the bud keeps your plants healthy.
Dust Invites In Pests
Neglected houseplants are also favorite hiding places for bugs and other pests. If you haven’t dusted your plants for some time, you might discover that unwanted pests have taken them over. Regular dusting will prevent your houseplants from being colonized by pests as you can spot signs of infestation early. Well-cared houseplants 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. Plants with small or delicate leaves can be gently dusted with a small paintbrush.
Next, use a soft cloth dipped in tepid water to wipe your houseplant’s stems and leaves. For large plants, you can spray the leaves clean in your kitchen sink. Use water that is not too hot nor too cold to avoid damaging your houseplant. 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.
Even though houseplant maintenance is fairly easy, it has 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 DC Metro can help! Contact us today online or call us at 202-269-0303.
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