Last year’s plants may have been afflicted by pests or diseases that are overwintering in your containers.
Here are a few easy steps for cleaning your planters, plus insight on which cleaners are best.
Bonus: Those containers will gleam and look like new againat least for a little while.
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Use a brush to loosen and knock off as much soil as you might.
Step 2: Wash Pots
Fill a tub or sink with warm, soapy water.
Plastic containers can be washed with a rag, while clay pots may require scrubbing with a brush.
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Rinse containers and set aside.
You’ll want to wear gloves and check that your workspace is well-ventilated.
Fill your tub or sink with 9 parts hot water and 1 part bleach.
Submerge containers for 10 minutes, then remove them and empty the tub.
Rinse containers and place them on a drying rack or towel to dry.
Rewet the rag as needed.
Rinse and dry containers.
In some cases, the whole container may be stained.
Scrub deposits from plastic pots with a scouring pad.
Metal bristles and steel wool can rust, so scrub deposits off of your pots before washing them.
