The Easiest Way to Clean Terracotta Pots in 3 Steps
Why You Should Clean Terracotta Pots
You may notice some reside on your lovely terracotta pot and while some people like the “weathered” look, it can actually be harmful for the plants that live inside them. The white residue can either be mineral deposits from fertilizer or mold. The difference is that mold will have a fuzzy texture to it.
I recommend cleaning your terracotta pot whenever you repot a plant so that you don’t transfer potential pests, bacteria, or fungus to your next plant. You should also deep clean as soon as you see the mold fuzz on the exterior of your planter since mold can be harmful to you as well; it produces spores which irritate your airways so don’t wait!
Cleaning Supplies
- Bristled Scrub Brush
- Water
- 5% Acidity White Vinegar
- Dish Soap
- 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in a spray bottle
Some people swear by bleach but I prefer to use vinegar over bleach and let me tell you why. Bleach only kills mold on surfaces whereas white vinegar is able to penetrate porous surfaces to kill any lingering spores.
Cleaning Steps
- Rinse and brush off any excess dirt or debris using water and a scrub brush.
- Make a vinegar/water/soap solution in your sink or utility bucket. I use 1 cup of white vinegar per 3 cups of water with a healthy squeeze of soap. Submerge your terracotta pot(s) and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. The more build up, the longer it needs to soak. Scrub any residue using the scrub brush.
- After scrubbing, rinse with water and spritz the outside of your terracotta pot with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can kill and prevent surface mold. For additional maintenance you can spritz with 3% hydrogen peroxide as needed.
Good luck plant fam! ☼
