Why You'll Want Baby Wipes In The House If You Have A Green Thumb

If you have a green thumb, then your house is probably filled with interesting plants. Decorating your home with plants is one of life's joys, but the downside to having an envious collection is that — just like everything else in your house — those plants need to be cleaned. But baby wipes can help with that.

Just like the knick-knacks on your shelves, houseplants aren't impervious to dust buildup. Because of that, they need to be wiped down just as frequently as your other surfaces and decor in order to keep them looking well-kept and tidy. However, since each plant has so many leaves, that can be quite the undertaking! But if you keep a box of baby wipes handy, that task won't take as long as you might think. Baby wipes can act as a helpful shortcut when giving your houseplants a little polish — here is how to utilize it in your home jungle.

All you need for this hack is a box of fresh baby wipes. You want them to be moist, so make sure you don't use an old box that is on the brink of drying out. You also want to choose an organic, non-fragranced option to avoid putting the houseplant into contact with potentially harmful chemicals.

Once you have your sheets ready, grab one and gently wipe down the top of each plant leaf — don't worry about cleaning the bottom of the leaves. You want to press gently when wiping so as not to snap a leaf or hurt a stem. Brush it from tip to node, ensuring you get all the dust. As an added benefit, baby wipes will also help shine your leaves, as they are typically made with a combination of soap and oil, giving the leaves a nice gleam when you're done. This houseplant hack ensures you won't need to constantly dip a cloth in water or use a special cleaner. You can also toss the used wipes afterwards, rather than adding more dirty rags to your laundry pile.

Not only will this cleaning routine pamper your greenery, but it will also keep your houseplants healthy. Cleaning houseplants is a regular part of any gardener's routine since the leaves need to be clear of any obstruction to photosynthesize. With a thin layer of dust coating their leaves, the plants won't be able to make enough food, and their health will begin to deteriorate.

Pests like gnats are attracted to declining plants, making dirty plants more susceptible to an infestation. Plus, when you take the time to regularly clean each leaf, you can also catch any changes in their foliage, such as drooping leaves or browning spots. You can then try to correct what the plant is lacking before the problem becomes permanent.

Dust-free plants also benefit your health, as you'll lessen the dust and potential allergens you breathe in each time you pass them. Plus, if your houseplants aren't able to photosynthesize due to dust buildup, they won't be able to release enough oxygen into the air, reducing their air-purifying qualities.