Q: What is the best solution for cleaning houseplants that have been outside all summer?

A: Patio plants frequently become dusty after a summer outdoors. They will look fresher if you clean them up a bit. Find an old cotton sock and put it on one hand. Dampen it with clean water. Use your un-socked free hand to hold each leaf in turn and wipe the top surface with the wet sock. This will also give you an opportunity to look for mealy bugs, scale insects and spider mites on the leaves and stem. Treat the unwanted critters with an insecticide before you bring them indoors.