Question
What can I use to clean/polish leaves?  My grandmother used to use milk.  Is there another homemade solution?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Johanna,

Any substance that has oil, fat, or grease in it could be used to bring out the lustre in plants with hard leaves, such as Schefflera. It is the fat in the whole milk that works; fat-free milk will not work as well.

I like to use a little mineral oil diluted with water. You can control the degree of shininess by diluting it more or less. I tend to avoid food substances because they can become rancid smelling and may attract pests. If you like a shine that dries hard and dry, spray a little WD-40 on a soft cloth and wipe the leaves with that.

If your plants have stubborn mineral stains or residue - usually from spraying with hard water - that you want removed, you might try some white vinegar diluted with water. Sometimes  ordinary liquid dish soap and water will do the job.

Experiment a bit and see what works for you on different plants. Remember, fuzzy-leafed plants like African violets cannot be cleaned with any of these substances.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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