How To Clean Smart Pots The Correct Way

Do you know that learning how to clean smart pots is as easy as three steps? With the increasing popularity of smart pots, it’s only sensible to find the correct way to clean these containers. Smart pots are generally fabric containers, and they have been so well-known that the term fabric pots became synonymous with them for gardeners. 

The manufacturer praised the products’ longevity, and since you can grow almost anything in these pots, you need to know how to clean them for potential reusing. If you plan on having a productive vegetable garden year-round, the combination of smart pots and greenhouse can provide this for you. However, expect that maintenance of both is necessary for them to their jobs well.  

How To Clean Smart Pots: Quick And Easy Guide

 

Removal

The first step in cleaning smart pots is similar to how you would clean any pot material. Remove the soil and everything left inside. You can use a soft scrub brush if there are leftover stains and dirt, but remember to be gentle to avoid damaging the material. 

Sometimes, you might notice some dried soil and roots that are trickier to remove inside as well. If this is the case, rub the container’s sides together or use a vacuum cleaner. Dump the contents and if the pot is wet, let it dry as the company recommends. 

Let the smart pots dry for a few days to see if there are more residues you can remove. 

 

Cleaning

After removing the soil, dirt, debris, and stains on the smart pot, you will need to wash it. You can do so by hand in a tub and soak it, but to save time, a washing machine works too. What soap should you use for smart pots?

Seasoned gardeners use a stain remover like OxiClean, laundry detergent, or peroxide to sterilize the pot. However, make sure that the cleaners are chlorine-free to avoid damaging the material. Wash the pot gently and rinse with clean water to remove all residues. 

The washing machine is more convenient for cleaning and washing since it does the work, including rinsing. The emphasis is necessary on not putting the smart pots in the dryer to prevent disfigurement. 

 

Drying

As mentioned previously, don’t put the smart pots in the dryer. Instead, let them air dry before using it. Afterward, you can fold them for storage or reuse for the next season.

 

How To Reuse Smart Pots: The Best Secrets

 

Drying

Cleaning smart pots are as simple as three steps, but you have probably noticed how the article emphasizes letting them dry out completely. This is because this tip makes it easier to remove all the soil, dirt, medium, residues, stains, and even dried roots. A secret to help them dry faster is by placing them in an area with low humidity.

Leave them be for a day or more so that everything stuck is easy to remove. As mentioned earlier, you can rub the sides together and then dump the sediments and debris. Afterward, sterilize the smart pots in a washing machine or by hand. 

 

Sterilizing

For sterilizing smart pots, you can use OxiClean or hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria. A bleach solution without chlorine is also feasible. If you notice salt buildup, you can use a solution of vinegar and water for soaking to remove them. 

A washing machine should make it easier to rinse the pots after sterilization, but ensure no residues are left. Otherwise, soak the pots in a cleaning solution container and manually wash them before hanging or fluffing them dry.

Overall, smart pots are durable enough to withstand cleaning and reusing often. This makes them excellent for the greenhouse where you can have many growing cycles. With proper care and maintenance, you will always have a sustainable and productive garden using smart pots and greenhouses. 

 

Why Clean Smart Pots

Some dirt outside of the pots is normal and gentle dusting or scrubbing should do the trick every spring. In some cases, if you think the soil is still reusable and free of pathogens, you can store the smart pots in winter for use in the following season. Just make sure that the nutrients in the soil are at optimal levels for the plants. 

Mineral salts come in white stains, which is common when you water with hard water. Use the cleaning methods earlier as the salts affect plant growth negatively. On the other hand, overwatering can also cause algae buildup, which affects the pot’s air circulation.

Both buildups require cleaning and sterilization to ensure that the smart pots do their job well. Be diligent with crop rotation, and always get one step ahead of soil-borne diseases. Nonetheless, check your smart pots and thoroughly clean them for peace of mind. 

 

Conclusion

A year-round productive garden is possible with smart pots and an ideal environment like the greenhouse. However, maintenance is necessary for them to do their jobs well, so learn how to clean smart pots alongside your greenhouse. Cleaning the containers is as easy as three steps.

Let the pots dry to make it easier to remove and dump all the residues and dirt in it. Clean them using a washing machine using OxiClean or hydrogen peroxide to sterilize. Afterward, skip the dryer and let the pots air dry.