How To Clean Monstera Leaves? (+7 Simple Tips To Follow)

Monsteras are admired for their beautiful fenestrations and vibrant leaves. It’s crucial to maintain their health to continue enjoying the fenestrations and vibrance. One way to do that is by cleaning the leaves occasionally. 

To clean Monstera leaves, wipe them with a damp cloth, spray lukewarm water, or shower the plant. Add a drop of soap, vinegar, lime, or neem oil to water for stubborn dirt. Ensure the leaves dry out by the end of the day.

After 12 years of gardening, I’ve discovered various ways to clean Monsteras. Continue reading to grasp the significance, frequency, and methods of leaf cleaning. 

7 methods for cleaning the Monstera leaves 

I used to receive frequent inquiries from readers seeking advice on effective methods for cleaning Monstera leaves.

From my experience and with thorough research, I have explained seven methods of cleaning Monstera leaves:  

Let’s first gather the right products for cleaning Monstera plants: 

• A soft cloth, a clean rag, or cotton balls 
• A watering can or a mister  
• Soft-bristled brush or microfiber gloves
• Dish soap, vinegar, or lime 
• Baby wipes 
• Shine products. It’s better to avoid these, but there are a few good options. 

Now let’s learn different ways to clean Monsteras: 

1. Shower your Monstera 

Monsteras love to be showered. 

The water should neither be cold nor hot but lukewarm and tepid. 

Use a hose with moderate force or shower under the sink. 

Run your hands through the Monstera leaves to ensure every leaf is adequately washed, including the underside. 

Keep the shower short yet thorough. 

Make sure the leaves are dry by the end of the day. 

If not, use a soft cloth and pat them dry. 

Adjust the watering schedule for Monstera after showering because it will water the soil, too. 

Next watering should be done when the top few inches have dried. 

2. Wipe down the Monstera leaves with a damp cloth

Wiping down the Monstera leaves may take time, but it is effective. 

Do it every week or every other week to keep the leaves healthy. 

You don’t need any deep cleansing. 

Take a damp cloth, gently wipe the stems, and slowly work down to the leaf tips and edges. 

Don’t forget the underside of the leaves, as that’s the place loved by pests. 

If one wipe isn’t enough, use 2 to 3 wipes to remove all residue. 

3. Spray and wipe your Monstera leaves

You can spray the Monstera leaves with plain water and then wipe them down with a soft, dry cloth. 

Fill a bottle with lukewarm filtered water and evenly spray the leaves, including their undersides. 

Wipe down the leaves using a cotton ball or a dry cloth. 

Make sure all the leaves are dry on both sides. Wet leaves might attract pests and diseases. 

4. Dust off the Monstera leaves with a brush

Dusting off the Monstera leaves with a brush will also suffice. 

You can dust the leaves with a rag, feather duster, or a soft-bristled brush. 

Begin with the stems and move on to the leaf tips, supporting each leaf as you finish cleaning. 

The method works greatly for Monsteras, especially with large plants. 

5. Use compressed air spray on the Monstera leaves to remove the dust

Always using water is unsuitable to clean the Monstera leaves, especially when it has enough moisture. 

Get an air compressor that can spray the air safely without harming the Monstera leaves. 

The compressor will have enough pressure to dislodge the dust from the leaves without any damage. 

Hold the device at least 10 cm away from the leaves while using it. 

6. Dunk the Monstera plant in water for cleaning

If your Monstera is small, you can dunk the Monstera upside down to wet only the leaves into a bucket of water. 

It’s easier for the smaller plants. 

Fill ¾th of the bucket with water, turn the plant upside down, and immerse only the leaves.  

Wiggle the leaves inside to let the dust wash away correctly, then remove it. 

Wiggle it again to remove the excess water from the leaves and keep it aside for drying. 

Ensure that all the leaves have dried. 

If needed, pat the wet leaves dry with a soft cloth. 

7. Use baby wipes to clean the Monstera leaves

Cleaning the Monstera leaves can be tiring due to their large leaves and weight. 

Gardeners keep searching for easier methods. 

I found one such method: using baby wipes. 

I was suggested by one of my plant-lover friends. 

First, I wasn’t sure, so I tried on one leaf and let it be for one day. 

I didn’t see any bad signs, and I tried all the leaves. 

Fortunately, it worked excellently. 

Baby wipes, free from alcohol or harsh chemicals, are suitable for Monsteras. 

4 ways to clean stubborn dirt from the Monstera leaves 

Sometimes, plain water doesn’t remove the stubborn dirt from the Monstera leaves, especially when you don’t clean them regularly. 

Fortunately, there are ways to clean the stubborn dirt from the leaves. 

Below are some of them: 

1. Use neem oil for cleaning the Monstera leaves

Neem oil is considered one of the best methods for cleaning the Monstera leaves because it provides several benefits: 

• It works as a natural cleaning agent. 
• Your Monstera won’t have any side effects. Hence, you don’t have to check it with the leaves before usage. 
• Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can keep pests away. 
• Neem oil also helps your Monstera to have shiny and vibrant leaves. 

Add one tablespoon of pure Castile soap with 4 tablespoons of neem oil in a spray bottle. 

Spray the solution on a damp cloth and wipe down the leaves.

2. Use lime or vinegar solution to remove the stubborn dust 

Add only 2 teaspoons of vinegar or lime juice with one gallon of water to clean the Monstera leaves. 

Let it stay for some time, and then wipe the leaves off with a soft, dry cloth. 

There are two ways to use the solution: 

Spray the solution and wipe the leaves with a dry cloth. 

Dip a cotton ball or a cloth in the solution and wipe the leaves. 

Since vinegar or lime can be acidic, try it on one leaf and see how it reacts. 

If it stays fine, use it in the other leaves. Otherwise, please stop it.

3. Use dishwasher soap to clean the dirty Monstera leaves

You can also use gentle dishwasher soap instead of vinegar or lime juice for the Monstera leaves. 

It will remove the dust and debris by breaking down the oils, sap, and other substances on the leaf surface. 

Use dishwasher soap with mild concentrations. 

Add 2-3 drops of the dishwasher soap into one bowl of water or a spray bottle, mix it well, and then apply on the leaves. 

Here also, you can apply the solution with two methods: 

• Spray the mixture, let it stay for a few seconds, and then wipe it off with a dry cloth.
• Dip a cotton ball or a cloth in the solution and wipe down every leaf on both sides. 

First, test it on one leaf and see how it reacts. 

If the leaf seems fine after a few hours, apply it to the rest of the leaves. 

4. Leaf shine products for Monstera leaves 

I do not recommend Leaf Shine products to clean Monstera leaves. 

They can clog the stomata, block sunlight, and hinder photosynthesis. 

However, a few products work well without clogging the pores. 

I came across two such products: 

• Houseplant Leaf Shine Spray – Leaf Polish, Gloss, and Shine, Perfect for House Plants and Foliage
• Leaf Cleaner Wipes for House Plants – Sparkling Leaf Shine for Indoor Plants – Houseplant Resource Center Plant Cleaning Wipes for Leaves – Root and Plant Duster Wipes (30 Count)

These are specifically made for Monsteras to clean the leaves, make them shine, and protect them from pests, fungi, and bacteria. 

Though I primarily use plain water, I have these two products once they work well for my plants. 

Try them once and see how your Monstera reacts. 

Select the other options I have shared if you don’t feel right. 

Adjusting cleaning for different Monstera sizes

Based on your Monstera plant size, specific methods can help easily clean the plant leaves. 

Let’s see how to adjust the cleaning methods for different Monstera sizes: 

• Small Monsteras are easily pickable and moveable. You can dunk the plant by turning it upside down into a bucket of water, immersing only the leaves. You can even use a very mild dishwashing soap in the water.  
• Medium-sized Monsteras are easy to pick, but you can’t turn them upside down. Hence, showering will be easy and effective. Please take it to the shower and adjust it to low-pressure, lukewarm water. You can even take it outside and shower it with a garden hose.  
• Large Monsteras are not pickable or moveable. So, the best method is to wipe down the leaves, dust them off with a soft-bristled brush, or use an air compressor. Consider adding dish soap, lime, or vinegar if the dirt seems stubborn. 

Cleaning frequency and schedule for Monstera leaves

Now that you have become well-acquainted with the different methods of cleaning the Monstera leaves, let’s learn how often to do it. 

I have received several DMs from my readers asking about the cleaning frequency of the Monstera leaves. 

A good rule of thumb is to clean the Monstera leaves once every 2-4 weeks. 

However, it can depend on factors like location and the cleaning method. 

The location and surrounding condition of Monstera plants affect cleaning frequency

Dust can gather less often on the Monstera leaves when there is good air circulation around the plant. 

In that case, cleaning every 2-4 weeks is fine. 

On the other hand, the leaves gather more dust if they are near a stuffy location or areas that naturally gather more dust. 

Check the surroundings and see which areas gather more dust. 

During your weekly cleaning, check which areas need frequent cleaning. 

If there is more dust, you must clean the leaves every 1-2 weeks. 

Method of cleaning affect the cleaning frequency of Monsteras? 

Cleaning frequency also depends on the method of cleaning: 

• If you are showering the Monstera, cleaning every 3-4 months is enough. 
• Dusting the leaves with a brush should be done every week. 
• Wipe down the leaves with plain water every month. 
• Misting should be done once a week. 

Importance of cleaning the Monstera leaves 

• Dust on leaves can block sunlight, hampering photosynthesis and chlorophyll production, resulting in discoloration, slow growth, and weak stems. Cleaning the leaves helps them photosynthesize, produce chlorophyll, and let them breathe. 
• Dirty leaves can attract pests, like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs easily as they find places to hide easily. Cleaning the leaves regularly will prevent them from reaching your Monstera. Besides, you can identify and eliminate them beforehand if they have resided in your plant. 
• While cleaning, you can identify signs of stress and promptly address them. 
• While cleaning, you can remove dead and damaged foliage, encouraging new plant growth. 
• Cleaning the leaves will make your plant look excellent and shiny. It will grow faster and lusher than before. 

Additional tips for cleaning Monstera plants 

• Use room temperature or lukewarm water to clean the Monstera leaves. 
• Avoid using hard water for cleaning. Use filtered or distilled water. If you have tap water only, let it sit overnight to let the hard minerals evaporate. 
• Use water first for cleaning. Use soap, lime, or vinegar only if the dust seems stubborn. 
• Don’t expose your Monstera under the direct sun while using baby wipes, lime, vinegar, or soap water. 
• Avoid using leaf shine products as they can clog the leaf pores, block sunlight, and hinder photosynthesis and chlorophyll. If you want to use them, use specialized products. 
• Be gentle while cleaning the Monstera leaves. 
• Avoid abrasive materials for cleaning. Use a soft cloth or a microfiber glove (Evridwear Microfiber Dusting Gloves, Dusting Cleaning Glove for Plants, Blinds, Lamps and Small Hard to Reach Corners (Blue S/M)) for cleaning. 
• Clean both sides of the leaves. Ensure the leaves are dry by the end of the day post-cleaning. 
• Monitor your Monstera and see how it reacts after cleaning, especially while using Leaf Shine products, soap, lime, or vinegar. If you see any stressful signs, change your cleaning method and use plain water. Also, change the type of water if needed. 
• Trim some dead and damaged leaves from your Monstera while cleaning. It will keep your plant clean and ensure more growth. 
• Check for pests and diseases when cleaning and eliminate them immediately.

Final thoughts 

Houseplants require regular care and maintenance, especially those with large leaves like Monsteras. Apart from the cultural practices, cleaning the Monstera leaves is equally essential. It keeps them healthy and shiny, promotes fast growth, and prevents infestations. 

There are several methods to clean the Monstera leaves: showering, wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or baby wipes, dusting with a brush, dunking in water, and misting. Use detergent-free dishwasher soap, vinegar, lime with water, or neem oil if the dust seems stubborn. Avoid Leaf Shine products unless they are explicitly made for Monsteras that won’t clog the pores. 

Adjust the cleaning frequency based on the plant’s location and surroundings and your cleaning methods. It can be either once or twice a week or twice a month. Follow the additional tips to make cleaning safe and not harmful for Monsteras. Keep providing your Monsteras with all the care and maintenance they need for healthy growth and development. 

Reference: Monstera Wikipedia