Is the luster of your fiddle leaf fig leaves diminished due to dust accumulation?
I understand how heartbreaking it is to see fiddle leaf fig leaves that have lost their luster. Moreover, it is difficult to see your fiddle leaf fig suffocating in dirt and dust. So, what is the best way to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves?
Well, there are several methods to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves. However, it depends on how much dust has accumulated on your fiddle leaf fig.
Additionally, it is important to remove even the tiniest amount of dust. Because dust clogs the pores of the leaves. This is why leaves cannot absorb light. Thus, your beautiful plant can’t properly photosynthesize.
For this reason, knowing how to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves properly is essential.
Continue reading for easy ways to make your fiddle leaf fig leaves healthier and more beautiful!
Why cleaning fiddle leaf fig leaves are important?
Those who are new to the world of fiddle leaf figs may wonder why fiddle leaf fig leaves need to be cleaned. So, it is better to understand WHY before learning how to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves.
Here are some reasons why it’s important to clean fiddle leaf figs
- For plants to survive, they need light to absorb. Having a thick layer of dust or dirt on plants will prevent them from photosynthesizing.
- Plants can cope with a little dust, but accumulated dust and dirt over time will present a problem. For this reason, it’s good to regularly clean the leaves.
- With clean leaves, your plant will have an easier time absorbing sunlight. As a result, the plant will be able to breathe more easily.
Taking good care of fiddle leaf figs requires the same attention as most houseplants. Fortunately, you don’t even have to spend much time cleaning the leaves. With that said, let’s clean the fiddle leaf fig leaves in the next section.
How to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves?
There are a few methods for cleaning leaves that will work well. It’s entirely up to you to choose the one that best fits your needs. Yet, it’s best to go through all options so that you can make an educated choice.
Using a duster, dust the fiddle leaf figs
To remove surface dust from lightly soiled leaves, use a feather duster. Regularly doing this can prevent dust and grime from developing and keep fiddle leaf fig leaves glossy and healthy.
Cleaning the fiddle leaf fig with a soft cloth
The most popular way to clean the leaves is to wipe them down with a soft cloth. A soft cloth will do the trick when it comes to caring for your fiddle leaf fig.
To clean the surface of your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves, use a clean, soft cloth dampened with water or a solution of 1/4 teaspoons of dish soap to a gallon of water. Also, while wiping away dust and dirt from the leaves, take care to handle them gently.
Take your fiddle leaf fig to the sink and wash it
In the sink, a kitchen sprayer can be used to clean small to medium fiddle leaf fig plants. To remove dust and dirt from each leaf, gently spray lukewarm water on it.
To clean small plants, fill a bowl with water and squirt mild dish detergent into the water and swish the leaves around. For this method, make sure your plant is thoroughly watered the day before so that the soil sticks to the plant as you tilt or tip it.
Give your fiddle leaf fig a shower
With the help of a sprayer in the shower, you can clean large fiddle leaf fig plants with more severe dust buildup.
- In the shower, place the fiddle leaf fig plant.
- Make sure the water is lukewarm. You can shock and stress your plant with either hot or cold water.
- Wash all sides of the leaves thoroughly, turning the plant throughout.
- In the shower, let the plant drip dry.
- Ensure that any excess water is drained away from the plant pot by emptying the saucer or drip basin.
- Relocate the plant to its original location.
Wash fiddle leaf fig with the garden hose
In a similar manner to the shower method, place your plant outside and spray it from top to bottom with a hose.
Your plant will enjoy the fresh air and get good deep water. Additionally, allow it to dry outside for an hour or two, but don’t expose it to direct sunlight for too long.
However, it’s also important to avoid this method if it’s very cold outside: Fiddle Leaf Figs dislike cold temperatures.
When to clean fiddle leaf fig tree?
Cleaning your Fiddle Leaf Fig may not be something you do every week. Yet, keeping an eye on your plants regularly will help you avoid any problems in the future. So, whenever things begin to look dusty, give them a nice clean, and your plant will thank you for it!
How often should I clean the leaves of fiddle leaf fig?
It’s tough to determine how often you should clean your fiddle leaf fig leaves. Ideally, it would be best to clean them as often as they appear to need it.
Moreover, different factors can cause your fiddle leaf fig’s leaves to get dirtier faster. Due to certain environmental factors, some houses get dustier more quickly.
It may be necessary to wash your fiddle leaf fig leaves once a week in areas with a lot of dust or if you own pets. However, for others, the plant may stay clean for weeks.
Every time you dust your home, your fiddle leaf fig leaves will need to be dusted as well. Blow on the fiddle leaf fig’s leaves if you want to know if they need cleaning. Clean the leaves if they are covered in dust or grime that cannot be easily blown away.
Also, it’s a good idea to clean the leaves of your fiddle leaf fig every time you need to water it. By doing this, you can avoid issues such as overwatering the plant.
Typically, a fiddle leaf fig plant needs water every seven to ten days. Hence, you should try to clean the leaves weekly.
The best way to make fiddle leaf fig leaves shine
It is not necessary to use special products to keep the leaves of a fiddle leaf fig shiny because they have a natural sheen. You can maintain their appearance by simply washing them with mild dish soap and water.
Mix one-quarter of a teaspoon of dish soap with one quart of warm water to create a solution for cleaning fiddle leaf fig leaves. Then, either spray the leaves with the solution or wet the cloth and wipe them down gently.
A few questions on cleaning fiddle leaf fig leaves
Q: Can I clean fiddle leaf fig leaves with coconut oil?
A: Yes, the leaves of fiddle leaf figs can be cleaned or polished with coconut oil and a soft cloth. However, oil can clog leaves’ pores, preventing them from breathing.
So, if you want to make your fiddle leaf fig leaves shine, mix a few drops of coconut oil into some water and use it to clean the leaves. Avoid getting the solution on the undersides.
Q: Can I clean fiddle leaf fig leaves with milk?
A: Yes, in a spray bottle, mix half a cup of milk with one cup of water to clean the leaves of fiddle leaf fig plants.
Try this on a leaf or two and observe the health of the leaves for a week. Because University Libraries (UNT) warn against using milk to clean or shine houseplant foliage. So, it is recommended to do spot-testing the milk on your plant before cleaning or shining other leaves with it.
It may be fine, but better to be safe than sorry, especially if you don’t want to deal with a fiddle leaf fig that drops leaves.
Q: Can I use olive oil to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves?
A: Using olive oil on your fiddle leaf fig leaves will make them look glossy and shiny, but it carries some risks. Oils block the leaf pores, preventing them from breathing. So, before using olive oil on your fiddle leaf fig leaves, dilute it with water first.
Mix five parts water with one part olive oil and shake well. Spray the solution on the upper sides of your fiddle leaf fig tree leaves to clean them.
Also, keep the olive oil solution away from the undersides of the leaves so that it does not clog the pores.
Q: Can egg white be used on fiddle leaf fig leaves?
A: Many plant owners report that egg whites work well for cleaning and shining fiddle leaf fig leaves.
Mix egg whites with warm water and saturate a cotton ball with the mix, then wipe the tops of your fiddle leaf fig leaves with the mixture.
Make sure you don’t get the egg white mixture on the undersides of the leaves when cleaning and shining them. This will damage your plant since it will clog up the pores that it needs to breathe.
Q: What is the best way to clean fiddle fig leaves?
A: Use distilled water in a spray bottle if you have hard water or a water softener to avoid harming your plants. Spray each leaf with water, wipe gently, and repeat until all the leaves are clean.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy and shiny fiddle leaf fig requires keeping them away from dust. The accumulation of dust in your home can be caused by several factors, such as environmental factors or pets. However, fiddle leaf fig leaves can be cleaned in several ways.
Based on the amount of dust you accumulate, you can choose the method that is most convenient for you. Using a soft cloth, washing your plant in the sink, or hosing it in the garden are all good options.
However, hosing the fiddle leaf fig should be avoided if the temperature is too cold.
Additionally, wash the fiddle leaf fig plant with lukewarm water. This is because too much hot or cold water can shock your plants.
Now that you know how to clean fiddle leaf fig leaves, you can maintain shiny leaves. As long as you understand what methods to utilize, you shouldn’t have much difficulty keeping the leaves clean.
So, how do you keep fiddle leaf fig leaves looking shiny? Let us know in the comments.
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