A Couple Of Kitchen Ingredients Are The Secret To Shinier, Healthy Plants

If you've been a plant parent, you know that dull or dusty leaves sometimes feel inevitable. When indoors, natural dust and stray fibers can easily get attached to your plant, as well as other natural environmental factors that come with growing a plant inside. Luckily, there is a solution to get your plants sparkly and shining. All it takes is a little bit of water, dairy milk, and Epsom salt.

You can choose from one of two mixtures that will leave your plants looking spiffy. If your plants are looking a little dull, mix 60% water and 40% milk and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray onto any plants in need of a little cleaning, and you'll immediately notice a difference. Residue will begin to lift and you can wipe it off with a damp cloth. For starters, watering your plants with milk is known to have a beneficial payout, so it's no surprise it doubles as a shine solution. Mixed with water, this works because milk contains anti-fungal properties that easily treat white, patchy mildew that may cause plants to look powdery.

The second method is for a deeper cleanse. Just water and Epsom salt. As a rule of thumb, for every two cups of water you use, add one tablespoon of Epsom salt. Spray onto your plants and let the solution sit. Wait at least 2-3 weeks before repeating this process.

Be sure to space out your cleaning days, especially when you're going back and forth between your milk mixture and Epsom salt solution. Use the milk spray as needed and the Epsom salt method every 14-21 days.

A great part about both of these solutions is the lack of odor. When added to water, the milk smell dissipates, ensuring there is no sour smell over time.

Epsom salt is a natural fertilizer. It is made up of magnesium and sulfate — two compounds that work together to give houseplants a bright color. Epsom salt can brighten plants that don't see the sun often, and help germinate new seeds.

While these DIY methods can clean your plants and keep their leaves shiny, they don't get rid of fungus gnats or other pests in the soil. To have the best of both worlds, water your plant with a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide and four parts water in between uses of your milk and Epsom salt solutions. This can help rid your plants of gnats and prevent future bugs from laying eggs. Continue to reapply until all signs of gnats are gone.