Knowing how to clean greenhouse glass is essential to keep you and your plants healthy. To clean your greenhouse glass walls, you can simply use warm soapy water and a sponge. Routine cleaning is crucial to prevent mold, unwanted pests, and diseases from affecting your plants.
Greenhouses not only provide an ideal environment for plants to thrive, but it also offers the perfect conditions for pests, diseases, and bacteria to thrive. Mites and other insects may also overwinter in your greenhouse by hibernating in cracks and crevices; algae will grow, and gnats will multiply on organic substances.
These factors can be harmful to your plants. For this reason, it’s essential to clean, disinfect, and sanitize your greenhouse.
How Should You Clean Your Greenhouse Glass?
It’s important to clean both sides of your greenhouse glass. The outside portion can become dirty with mud or dust. The inside may also become contaminated from planting, and algae may form due to high humidity.
Fortunately, it’s easy to clean a greenhouse made of glass. Here’s how:
Cleaning the Outside of Your Greenhouse
Clean your greenhouse using warm to hot water and a sponge. Soak the walls with water for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how dirty it is. The hot water loosens up the dirt, making it easier to clean.
After loosening up the dirt, add mild detergent or an all-purpose cleaner to a bucket of warm water. Use a soft sponger to scrub the glass. For dirtier walls, you may want to use a sponger with more scrubbing power. However, make sure that it will not scratch your panels.
Allow your walls to dry completely. Afterward, use a natural glass polisher to polish your glass panels.
Cleaning the Inside of Your Greenhouse
Before you start cleaning, make sure to disconnect any electrical wiring inside your greenhouse to ensure safety. Cover any outlets that may be exposed to water.
Just like the outside portion, mix mild detergent or all-purpose cleaner in a bucket of warm or hot water. You can add disinfectant (if your all-purpose cleaner doesn’t have disinfecting benefits) to kill existing bacteria, mold, fungi, and to prevent it from growing.
Let your walls dry completely – open doors, vents, etc. to allow it to air dry. Next, use a natural glass polisher to polish the glass. If you need to dry the glazing, use a dry cloth or rag.
Why Should You Buy a Mini Greenhouse?
There are several reasons why you should purchase a mini greenhouse. It’s cost-effective, convenient, and it works just like a regular greenhouse for half its price. Other than that, here are some of the reasons why having a mini greenhouse is a great idea:
Protects your plants from inclement weather
Heavy rain, strong winds, storms, hail, and more can damage your crops in an instant. All it takes is one bad storm to wipe out your garden. Placing your plants inside a greenhouse protects them from inclement weather, especially in areas with unpredictable climates.
Comes in different sizes
What comes in your mind when you think of a greenhouse? A floor to ceiling glass contraption the size of a small house? While there are some extravagant choices, greenhouses come in different shapes and sizes. You don’t always need a giant greenhouse for your home gardening needs. Oftentimes, a mini greenhouse is enough for an average homeowner’s gardening needs.
Protect your plants from pesky insects and animals
Caterpillars, aphids, snails, rabbits, and other insects and critters like to munch on your leaves and produce. Placing your plants inside a mini greenhouse keeps them safe from bugs and animals that can damage your hard work. Additionally, keeping them in a greenhouse protects them from infectious diseases that target plants.
Great for beginners in greenhouse technology
If you want to learn more about greenhouse technology, it’s best to start experimenting with a mini greenhouse. As mentioned, a mini version is cost-effective, and it works just like a regular greenhouse. You can learn about the ideal growing conditions of individual plants and determine whether you should upgrade to a bigger greenhouse or not.
Perfect for people with limited space
For homeowners with limited garden space, investing in a mini greenhouse is a great option. You can grow almost anything in a mini-greenhouse, and you can place it on patios, decks, balconies, and even on tabletops. The most popular greenhouse size is around 6 ft. But if this is too big for you, there are smaller ones as well. Even though these greenhouses are small, they work just like a regular-sized greenhouse.
Start planting earlier than usual
With a mini greenhouse, you can start planting even before the cold season begins. When the weather gets warmer, you can then transplant your plants into your garden. By planting early, you’ll be able to harvest crops earlier than you intend to.
Final Thoughts on How to Clean Greenhouse Glass
Now that you know how to clean greenhouse glass make sure to schedule (at least) a biannual deep clean to prevent bacteria, diseases, animals, and critters from thriving along with your plants. With regular maintenance, you’ll be able to enjoy your greenhouse for years to come.