Houseplants
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Your plants need more than regular watering. To maintain your plant's ability to grow, you need to clean them.
Remove dust and dirt from your houseplants the same way that you remove dust and dirt from yourself--with a shower. This is important to do, because grime is the enemy of photosynthesis,
the process in which leaves absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food for the plant. The shower will also help remove any insects.
First, prepare the plant's pot. Put the pot in a plastic bag and the the bag tightly around the base of the plant without injuring it. You want to be sure the plan doesn't get over watered in the shower. If your plant has multiple stems, lay extra plastic bags between the stems. Put the plant in the shower and the set the water temperature to tepid--neither hot nor cold. Let the shower sprinkle the plant for a few minutes.
Sometimes minerals in the shower water will build up on the plant's leaves, making them look dull. To clean the minerals off hard-surfaced (not hairy) leaves, wipe with a dry, clean rag. Support each leaf with your free hand as you wipe. Another method:Gently scrape the minerals off with your thumb.
Cleaning plants with hairy leaves is a little trickier. feather duster and then hit the shower, as above.
First give them a gentle dusting with a
After the plants have had their shower, allow them to dry thoroughly right in the shower stall or set them on paper towels or old news papers until they're not dripping anymore. If you return them to direct sunlight while they're still wet, the light could burn the leaves.
Now check each plant's surroundings. Be sure the window you set your plant in is clean so that the plant will get optimal sunlight. White mineral deposits can be toxic to your plants, so gently scrape them from the soil surface and the inner rim of the pot.If you have an extreme case of mineral buildup, put the pot in a sink, where it can drain freely, and run a lot of water through the soil to remove the minerals.(Don't do this during times of flow light or dormancy, however. Plants should be actively growing, otherwise they may develop root rot.)
Cleaning a cactus--requires a gentle touch--not only to prevent skewering yourself, but also to protect the waxy coating that helps the plant conserve moisture in desert climates. Stick to misting your cactus with a spray bottle filled with water, and even then only clean the areas of the plant that are showing dirt or dust. Make the cleaning quick and gentle, and let the cactus dry before putting it back into direct sunlight. An alternative: Use long tweezers to carefully pick off any dust particles.
To clean succulents with fuzzy leaves, use a soft paintbrush or feather duster to remove dust. The fuzziness protects the plant in arid conditions, and washing can be hazardous to the leaves.
Humidifiers
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A humidifier is a blessing if you suffer from winter dryness of your nose,throat, lips, or skin. The air it dampens will also alleviate nuisances such as static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture. But humidifiers can encourage the growth of organisms such as dust mites and mold, which means proper care and cleaning are essential. If you use a humidifier, plan on a routine of daily cleaning, a more thorough cleaning every three days, and regular disinfecting. If this seems like a lot, remember that mold begins to grow after 48 hours.
To clean a portable humidifier, first turn it off. Empty the reservoir (the tank where the water sits) every day and wash it out with hot, soapy water, using a brush or other scrubber to remove mineral deposits or film. Rinse well under running water, taking care that no water gets into the motor.distilled water is preferable because you'll avoid the buildup of mineral deposits but tap water will suffice.
Wipe all surfaces dry with a clean cloth, and fill the reservoir. The use of
Even three days, clean your humidifier more thoroughly. Begin as you would the daily cleaning. After rinsing, wipe the reservoir with white vinegar (diluted with water, if you wish) to break up mineral deposits. Wipe off the minerals deposits, rinse again, wipe dry, and refill the reservoir.
Disinfecting your humidifier will reduce spore growth. Mix a solution of 1/2 cup household bleach, such as Clorox with 1 gallon of water and add it to the humidifier's reservoir. Run the humidifier until it starts to mist or steam. (Be sure to do this outside or in a well-ventilated area and don't stand near the steamed bleach--it can injure your lungs.) Turn off the humidifier and let the bleach sit for a couple of minutes. Empty the reservoir into a sink and rinse the reservoir with running water. Fill it again with fresh water, run the system for two or three minutes, and then turn it off. Empty the resevoir and risne again. Repeat the cycle until you no longer smell the bleach.
Note: If the manufacturer's instructions don't recommend bleach, don't use it. They may recommend instead a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is fine but does not work as well as bleach.
If your humidifier has a filter, check it every third day. If it's gray, replace it.
The filter can't be cleaned.
At the end of the humidifying season, clean the humidifier following the bleach method described previously. Make sure all parts are dry, and store the unit in a dry location. when it's time to use the humidifier again, clean the unit again and wipe up any dust on the outside with a damp cloth.
Humidifiers that are part of a central heating system need to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, they may become breeding grounds for mold. The designs of such units vary widely, but typically a tube carries water from the water heater to a rectangular box mounted on the air supply duct that goes from the furnace to the rest of the house. The water flows across a disposable water panel or, in the case of older models, a rotating drum. The water evaporates into the air being fed throughout the house, thus raising the humidity. A drain removes the excess water.
If you have a newer system (no older than mid-1990s), replace the water panel every year. Do it more often if you have hard water, which builds up on the panel and make it less effective.sink, and give it a quick cleaning in warm water and dishwashing detergent. Wipe the drain (it's not removable) with a soapy rag and rinse with a wet rag. Reassemble the unit with a new water panel.
Clean the water distribution tray at the same time. To do this, open the access panel on the box and unsnap and discard the water panel. Unsnap the water distribution tray, take it to a
Cleaning the inner workings of an older system is not very different. Once a year, open the unit and replace the filter that wraps around the rotating drum. Remove the water tray and wash it in the sink. Two or three times a year, check the filter for mold or mineral deposits. If it needs cleaning, soak it for several hours in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. Rinse the filter thoroughly with fresh water and return it to the drum.
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Your plants need more than regular watering. To maintain your plant's ability to grow, you need to clean them.
Remove dust and dirt from your houseplants the same way that you remove dust and dirt from yourself--with a shower. This is important to do, because grime is the enemy of photosynthesis,
the process in which leaves absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide to make food for the plant. The shower will also help remove any insects.
First, prepare the plant's pot. Put the pot in a plastic bag and the the bag tightly around the base of the plant without injuring it. You want to be sure the plan doesn't get over watered in the shower. If your plant has multiple stems, lay extra plastic bags between the stems. Put the plant in the shower and the set the water temperature to tepid--neither hot nor cold. Let the shower sprinkle the plant for a few minutes.
Sometimes minerals in the shower water will build up on the plant's leaves, making them look dull. To clean the minerals off hard-surfaced (not hairy) leaves, wipe with a dry, clean rag. Support each leaf with your free hand as you wipe. Another method:Gently scrape the minerals off with your thumb.
Cleaning plants with hairy leaves is a little trickier. feather duster and then hit the shower, as above.
After the plants have had their shower, allow them to dry thoroughly right in the shower stall or set them on paper towels or old news papers until they're not dripping anymore. If you return them to direct sunlight while they're still wet, the light could burn the leaves.
Now check each plant's surroundings. Be sure the window you set your plant in is clean so that the plant will get optimal sunlight. White mineral deposits can be toxic to your plants, so gently scrape them from the soil surface and the inner rim of the pot.If you have an extreme case of mineral buildup, put the pot in a sink, where it can drain freely, and run a lot of water through the soil to remove the minerals.(Don't do this during times of flow light or dormancy, however. Plants should be actively growing, otherwise they may develop root rot.)
Cleaning a cactus--requires a gentle touch--not only to prevent skewering yourself, but also to protect the waxy coating that helps the plant conserve moisture in desert climates. Stick to misting your cactus with a spray bottle filled with water, and even then only clean the areas of the plant that are showing dirt or dust. Make the cleaning quick and gentle, and let the cactus dry before putting it back into direct sunlight. An alternative: Use long tweezers to carefully pick off any dust particles.
To clean succulents with fuzzy leaves, use a soft paintbrush or feather duster to remove dust. The fuzziness protects the plant in arid conditions, and washing can be hazardous to the leaves.
Humidifiers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A humidifier is a blessing if you suffer from winter dryness of your nose,throat, lips, or skin. The air it dampens will also alleviate nuisances such as static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture. But humidifiers can encourage the growth of organisms such as dust mites and mold, which means proper care and cleaning are essential. If you use a humidifier, plan on a routine of daily cleaning, a more thorough cleaning every three days, and regular disinfecting. If this seems like a lot, remember that mold begins to grow after 48 hours.
To clean a portable humidifier, first turn it off. Empty the reservoir (the tank where the water sits) every day and wash it out with hot, soapy water, using a brush or other scrubber to remove mineral deposits or film. Rinse well under running water, taking care that no water gets into the motor.distilled water is preferable because you'll avoid the buildup of mineral deposits but tap water will suffice.
Even three days, clean your humidifier more thoroughly. Begin as you would the daily cleaning. After rinsing, wipe the reservoir with white vinegar (diluted with water, if you wish) to break up mineral deposits. Wipe off the minerals deposits, rinse again, wipe dry, and refill the reservoir.
Disinfecting your humidifier will reduce spore growth. Mix a solution of 1/2 cup household bleach, such as Clorox with 1 gallon of water and add it to the humidifier's reservoir. Run the humidifier until it starts to mist or steam. (Be sure to do this outside or in a well-ventilated area and don't stand near the steamed bleach--it can injure your lungs.) Turn off the humidifier and let the bleach sit for a couple of minutes. Empty the reservoir into a sink and rinse the reservoir with running water. Fill it again with fresh water, run the system for two or three minutes, and then turn it off. Empty the resevoir and risne again. Repeat the cycle until you no longer smell the bleach.
Note: If the manufacturer's instructions don't recommend bleach, don't use it. They may recommend instead a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is fine but does not work as well as bleach.
If your humidifier has a filter, check it every third day. If it's gray, replace it.
At the end of the humidifying season, clean the humidifier following the bleach method described previously. Make sure all parts are dry, and store the unit in a dry location. when it's time to use the humidifier again, clean the unit again and wipe up any dust on the outside with a damp cloth.
Humidifiers that are part of a central heating system need to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, they may become breeding grounds for mold. The designs of such units vary widely, but typically a tube carries water from the water heater to a rectangular box mounted on the air supply duct that goes from the furnace to the rest of the house. The water flows across a disposable water panel or, in the case of older models, a rotating drum. The water evaporates into the air being fed throughout the house, thus raising the humidity. A drain removes the excess water.
If you have a newer system (no older than mid-1990s), replace the water panel every year. Do it more often if you have hard water, which builds up on the panel and make it less effective.sink, and give it a quick cleaning in warm water and dishwashing detergent. Wipe the drain (it's not removable) with a soapy rag and rinse with a wet rag. Reassemble the unit with a new water panel.
Cleaning the inner workings of an older system is not very different. Once a year, open the unit and replace the filter that wraps around the rotating drum. Remove the water tray and wash it in the sink. Two or three times a year, check the filter for mold or mineral deposits. If it needs cleaning, soak it for several hours in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. Rinse the filter thoroughly with fresh water and return it to the drum.
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