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This is a pretty neat tip we are sharing today, How to Clean Indoor Houseplants and Shine the Leaves! Plus we have some easy plant food tips too!
You can also use this for any outdoor potted plant that is looking dull or has a powdery substance on it.
First I will share with you how to do it, and then I want to share with you WHY this actually works.
How to Clean Indoor Houseplants & Shine the Leaves!
How To Clean Indoor Houseplants:
- Dairy Milk
- Water
- Spray Bottle
- Epsom Salt (Regular not scented)
Directions:
- First, mix up a ratio of milk to water. About 40% milk to 60% water. So, for my small little spray bottle I did ½ cup of milk with ¾ cup water. You can do as little or as much as you need. Next spray your plants leaves underneath and on top. Rub gently with a cloth, then wipe off with a clean dry cloth.
- You will notice immediately how it shines up and removes any residue the plant has on it. When you look the next day, it almost looks like fake plant with the shine!
- For plant food: Believe it or not, milk has some beneficial ingredients that are great for plants. In addition, I also like to make an Epsom salt spray which you can use every few weeks.
- In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of water to 1 tbsp of Epsom salt, lightly spray the plant leaves. Don’t rub off, allow it to soak in.
NOTE: You do NOT have to use the Epsom salt spray, you can just use the milk spray. I don’t typically use them on the same days anyways, but it is nice to have an additional plant food option.
Chemist Tips
Epsom salt is one of the best natural fertilizers for houseplants. Magnesium and sulfate (which is what Epsom salt actually is) are beneficial for indoor plants to get bright, vivid leaves. Since they don’t get much sunlight, it really gives the leaves an extra boost.
Epsom salt spray can be used every 2-3 weeks.
The other fertilizer I use is my slow release plant food from the book. I put that around the base every 3-4 weeks and it makes such a difference!
We also have our liquid plant food. Many readers use this for indoor plants too with success. I typically prefer this for outdoor plants since it was designed for that.
FAQS
Why is milk used?
Using milk as a leaf shiner is an old gardening/science tip. I learned about it when I took horticulture, but decided to study it more in depth to see if it was really something useful.
Milk contains anti-microbial, anti-fungal/anti-bacterial properties that treat powdery mildews and other issues that cause plants to have that dull, white look.
Another important substance in milk is the proteins. Proteins help dissolved residue on the leaf to brighten it up.
Calcium is a key nutrient for plants, so milk also helps internally.
Can I substitute other milk?
You must use dairy milk to get the shining benefits. Other milks like almond and cashew do not have active cultures like this, so it doesn’t work. I have tried it!
Should I use skim or whole milk?
I have done this with whole milk, reduced fat, and skim milk. I like the way reduced fat and skim work best. They have less fat, so they mix better with water to create a smooth spray.
Whole milk does work, I just didn’t think it shined it as much.
Will just using water work?
No, it doesn’t work as well. Water will clean the leaves, but it doesn’t get rid of some heavy duty residue. It does not create the shine.
Does this have an odor?
NO! In fact, once you mix the water with milk, all milk smells go away. It will not leave a bad scent or sour odor over time.
Doesn’t this attract bugs or gnats?
I have never had this attract more bugs. You wipe off the leaves once you spray, so no substance is left over. (P.S – if you do struggle with indoor bugs, the granite/stone mult-purpose cleaner on page 13 is what I use to treat them. I just spray the soil and it kills/deters bugs, it’s amazing stuff)
Do I have to use Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is strictly optional, it has no bearing on the leaves shining or not. The Epsom salt is just a great option for added nutrients for all houseplants. I do not use these together. The milk spray I use as needed, the Epsom salt spray I will use every 3-4 weeks.
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
This is so cool! I have been needing something for my houseplants and can’t wait to try. Your gardening tips have been so helpful.
Thank you!! It is amazing how healthy and how much my indoor plants are growing 🙂
This is awesome! I had no idea I could even clean my houseplants. Usually I just try to wipe them off with a damp paper towel but it never really works. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I really love using this for my houseplants! It’s amazing how nice they can shine up 🙂
The milk totally threw me. I did not expect to read that! How awesome when chemistry and dairy combine (ha!). My mom always swore by epsom salts for plants. I know I need to pick some up. My fiddle leaf is in DESPERATE need of a leaf clean, so I’m going to do this later day. Thanks, Alexis!
It is amazing how well it works! Epsom salt really is a great option for houseplants. It isn’t too harsh, just the right amount of nutrients. I hope you enjoy using this and it does well for your plants 🙂
How much Epson salts. To us per size of pot
2 tablespoons of salt in one gallon of water. Spray on the leaves evenly. It will depend on how big your plants are, but for this plant and a few other houseplants I can use that same gallons of Epsom salt water a few times for all of them 🙂
This is such a great tip! Can I use lactose free milk?
Thanks Yolie! As long as it is dairy milk derived, it should work the same. Dairy milk contains all the good cultures and proteins that help this work, but the lactose won’t change it 🙂
Thanks for the great tip!
Can I use this on orchids?
Thanks Katy! I haven’t personally used it on orchids, but there isn’t anything that would harm an orchid. I would test one leaf and see how it does first just to be safe 🙂
Happy Monday! This is absolutely fascinating! Milk and water to clean my leaves – I have many houseplants it could take while (LOL). And the Epsom salt plant food – great idea! And thanks for the tips re: bugs – so many tiny black gnatty things. You’re a fount of info! Enjoy your day!
Thanks Laurie! You will love that tip for bugs. That recipe from the book for granite/stone/glass all-purpose cleaner is the best stuff! It really helps with those gnats!
What is the tip for bugs? I didn’t see it.
Under FAQS, it says I have never had issues with bugs using this spray. For bug issues, I use our all-purpose cleaner on page 13 of the eBook. You shouldn’t have any issues though
Interesting! I had no idea you could use epsom salt spray on plants!
Epsom salt is amazing for plants. They really love it!
I have all the ingredients at hand for the weed spray except the capsaicin rub. I do have hot pepper sauce and essential peppermint oil. Could I use these instead?
Hi Randy! Yes, you can use these in it’s place. The benefit for the weed spray containing the rub is just to enhance and quicken the the solution, it still works even without the rub. I like to use it because it really does make the weed killer work fast which can be helpful for tough weeds or the possibility of rain.
Love this post! Also, what is the name of the plant in this photo?! I have one that’s a few feet tall that I got at a garage sale, and I don’t even know what it is!
Thanks for all your hacks!
-Maddi
Thanks Maddi!! This is a Cane Plant, sometimes called a “Dumb” Cane. I love them because they will really just grow as big as you want them! The bigger the pot, the bigger they get 🙂 This one I have is pretty small since I keep it in a smaller pot, but the leaves just keep multiplying, so it is really filling out!
Ah ! Thanks for explaining that, mine is pretty big and I wasn’t sure why! Thanks for all your handy tips!
Thanks Madison! So glad you enjoy 🙂
you have so many helpful tips….help me to clean my dogs teeth..is there anything that will help with plaque buildup? he fights me even with chicken flavored toothpaste so we don’t do as often as we should
I am not able to do anything with my dogs teeth because he gets aggressive. He is a large bulldog, so I don’t chance it. I have them clean his teeth when he goes to the vet for a checkup. This is also when they trim his toenails and clean his ears 🙂
Thanks for sharing the tips. Very useful.
Thank you! Hope you enjoy using them 🙂
Great tips, thank you for sharing and I can’t wait to try these out on my plants, btw would both sprays work on all indoor tropical plants??
Yes you can use it for all! All of my plants do great with this 🙂 thank you!
I found a sale on tropicals and bought several for the LR. They are big ones! I guess I will need to start cleaning their leaves. I had no idea about using Epsom Salt for nutrients. I need to get over here more often. I do lurk on Instagram. 😛
They will look so dark and pretty with the Epsom Salt and I love cleaning them for that pretty shine! Haha, yes always stop by when you can. We share so many tips on so many thing 🙂 Have a great day!
Many years ago I learned to clean my plants leaves with beer! Cheap beer, flat is fine. Pour a little on a cloth or paper towel and wipe the leaves. It removes the dust and leaves a subtle shine.
Thanks for sharing! Beer works similar with the microbes that cut through dirt and dust 🙂
I want to know how to get Rid of I call them flower gnats , they are All around my indoor plants .
I have a link in the post to the solution I use for gnats under the FAQs. It is one from the eBook and works for other bugs too, but especially gnats. You can also use cinnamon.
I commend for the research well done though not yet applied on my side, this granite stone for bugs how much can I use in 20ltr jerican. lastly, what health risk are we exposed to by these indoor plants? especially the one (name)? you used milk as an axample cleaning it’s leaves.
I don’t know of anything health risks with these plants. You can use as much as necessary to kill the bugs
I have used egg whites mixed with water…it makes the plants extremely shiny…Could I be harming the plants…they are still alive till now
I don’t think that will harm your plants 🙂
what do u use on gnats?
I use my all-purpose DIY cleaner from our eBook. You can also use rubbing alcohol spray
I have about 9 houseplants abd 7 herbs growing in my apt. I cleaned three of the larger leafed plants with milk and water. I got this trick handed down to me by my mother! I had a visitor 2 days later and was asked about my peace lily if it was real or not cause the leaves were so shiny!
It does make them shine so good!!
Hi Alexis, thanks for the tips. How does one store the spray since it has milk?
I just put it in the fridge if there are any leftovers 🙂
Thank you for these fabulous tips! Can’t wait to try them . But I do have a question. Can you use cloudy ammonia insead of clear as I cannot find clear ammonia. Live I Sydney Australia.
Thanks in advance for your help ?
Cloudy ammonia has soap infused in it, so I prefer not to use it. We have had readers use it before with success, but I have found it makes the mix too soapy. You can try it out, but test a small area first