Keeping monstera leaves clean isn’t simply about how they look. Yes, that’s a big part of it, but really it’s your plants health that you should be thinking about.
So if you want to know how to clean the leaves on your monstera without doing any damage and that they stay healthy you’re in the right place.
I’m going to show you what works when it comes to monstera leaf care, go through different methods for cleaning them and give you extra tips to make it work.
Why Clean Monstera Leaves Matter More Than You Think
When I first started looking after monsteras I didn’t realize that when they their leaves got dirty it meant more than they just looked a bit ugly. That dirt or dust is actually blocking the plants ability to photosynthesize properly.
When the dust, grime and that weird film that seems to appear out of nowhere coats the leaves it’s stopping any sun from getting to them. Which means the plant will struggle to grow and even survive.
This happened to one of my Monsteras. It started to look a bit flat and sad. Even though I’d be doing everything right, giving it the right light and watering it often. But then I cleaned its leaves and it almost instantly perked back up. The leaves looked much happier and new growth began.
So it makes a big difference.
Signs Your Monstera Needs a Clean
You don’t have to be psychic to know when it’s time to clean. Your monstera will give you some obvious signs.
- Leaves look dull or matte instead of glossy
- You can write your name in the dust – definitely too much
- New growth is slower than usual
- The plant feels “sticky” to the touch
- You notice tiny pests on it
- Water beads up and rolls off instead of being absorbed
The Tools You Need
You’ll need a few things to do a good job of cleaning your leaves. This is what I use:
The Essentials
- Microfiber cloths (at least 3 as I have one for each cleaning solution)
- Spray bottle with a nozzle you can adjust
- Soft bristled brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly)
- A small bowl for mixing solutions
- Towels for clean up and keeping surfaces protected
- Plant support stakes (for those larger, floppy leaves)
A microfiber cloth will get hold of the dust rather than simply push and move it around. That makes it a better choice than a paper towel or regular cloth that doesn’t pick up the dirt in the same way.
Cleaning Solutions That Don’t Harm Your Plant
I’ve been through and tried many cleaning solutions on my monsteras. Some left residue, others seemed to stress the plant and a few actually made things worse.
So this is what works best for me:
The Basic Water Method:
Sometimes simple is best. Lukewarm distilled water won’t harm your monstera and can deal with light grime and most dust.
Gentle Soap Solution:
A mix of 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap with 1 quart of lukewarm water. This is stronger than water but not too harsh and will deal with sticky reissues and grease.
Neem Oil Treatment:
Neem oil will clean the leaves but also stops pests too. Just mix 1 tablespoon of pure neem oil with 1 quart of water and a few drops of mild soap.
Milk Solution:
This sounds like a trick but it does work. Mix 1 part milk with 1 part water and it will give your monstera naturally shiny leaves. And the proteins in milk create a protective coating.
Step by Step Cleaning Process
Preparation is Everything
Before you start spraying and wiping do some preparation beforehand and you’ll have a better chance of everything going well. One of my first attempts at cleaning my monsteras leaves ended up with a huge mess on my dining table. I didn’t set anything up before starting and it meant I had a big cleaning job afterwards
So lay some towels down around where you’re working and make sure you have everything you nee within reach.
If you’re dealing with a large monstera you might want to get someone to support it while you work. The big leaves are surprisingly heavy.
Taking a Gentle Approach
Start with the least invasive method and work your way up:
- Dust Removal: Use a dry microfiber cloth and gently remove any surface dust. Work from the base of the leaf towards the tip. You should be following the natural vein pattern of the leaf.
- Initial Rinse: Mist the leaves a little with plain water and let them sit for 2 to 3 minutes. This will loosen any of the really stubborn grime.
- Gentle Cleaning: Dampen your cloth with your chosen cleaning solution and wipe each leaf individually. You don’t want to year any of the bigger leaves so support them with the hand you’re not using to clean.
- Detail Work: Use a soft brush to get into the cracks around the stems and the fiddly parts of the fenestrated leaves. The splits and holes in monstera leaves get loads of dust and other waste building up in them so you won’t want to overlook them.
- Final Rinse: Mist again with clean water to get rid of any soap that’s left over then dry the leaves with a clean cloth.
The Shower Method
This technique is a little divisive. Some people swear by it and others think it’s too risky. I’m in the first camp as I’ve had great results from using it. But be warned its not for everyone.
Take your monstera to your shower and give it a gentle rinse with some lukewarm water. You want it to be low pressure though. This works really well for large plants that have lots of leaves.
You’ve got to make sure the water isn’t too hard though. Lots of minerals can leave spots on the leaves. Also drain the plant fully afterwards. I prop mine in the shower for around 30 minutes before putting it back in it’s spot.
I prop mine up in the shower for 30 minutes before moving it back to its spot.
Dealing with Specific Problems
Sticky Leaves and Honeydew
If you’ve noticed a sticky film on your leaves it isn’t dust. It’s usually honeydew from pests like aphids or scale insects.
The solution is not to panic. You need to be patient and have persistence. Use the neem oil treatment and check thoroughly for pests. You might need to clean again every few days until the pests are gone.
Water Spots and Mineral Buildup
Hard water can leave behind white spots on the leaves. If you’re finding those spots then try switching to distilled water when you mist. You can also add a tiny amount of white vinegar (1 tablespoon per quart) to your cleaning solution as it will dissolve any current deposits of minerals.
Stubborn Grime in Fenestrations
The splits and holes in monstera leaves are what make them so distinctive but they’re also the perfect place for dirt to collect. I use a soft paintbrush or cotton swabs to get into these tight spaces. Be patient though as rushing this part can damage the edges of the leaves.
Seasonal Cleaning
You may not realize but how you clean your monstera will change throughout the year.
Spring Deep Clean
When the growing season starts clean your monstera fully. I would usually do a very thorough clean at this long and check every leaf closely and remove any damaged parts.
Summer Maintenance
When the humidity gets higher and you’re watering your monstera more often it means there’s more opportunities for the dust to stick to it. So I clean them every 2 to 3 weeks at this point but make them pretty quick with the main focus on removing any dust and cleansing spots.
Winter Care
Dry indoor air means more dust but also that plants are more sensitive. It’s better to clean less often at this point. I’ll usually move to dry dusting with a little bit of misting.
Making Your Monstera Leaves Shine Naturally
Don’t bother with commercial leaf shine products. All they’re likely to so is clog the pores and attach even more dirt. Instead code these natural alternatives a try.
Coconut Oil
A tiny amount of coconut oil on a microfiber cloth is a safe way to make the leaves shine. Don’t use too much though. One large leaf should only need a tiny amount (around the size of your little fingernail).
Banana Peel Trick
This sounds ridiculous but the inside of a banana peel has potassium and natural oils that monstera loves. So you can rub the inside of a fresh banana peel on clean leaves and it’ll shine them up.
Mistakes That Damage Leaves
Over Cleaning
Cleaning too often or too aggressively can stress your monstera. Doing a full clean every month with dusting every week should be enough.
Wrong Water Temperature
Lukewarm water is the best for cleaning monstera leaves. Cold water will shock them and hot can damage the leaves. So lukewarm is what you want. Test it by dripping a little on your wrist and if it feels tepid it should be fine.
Leaving Soap Residue
You have to rinse the leaves thoroughly after you use any sort of soap. If you leave it and it builds up it will affect your monstera badly.
Cleaning in Direct Sun
Never clean the leaves when the plant is in direct sunlight. The water you use to clean can magnify the sun and will burn the leaves.
So always clean in the shade and let the plant dry before you move it back to its home.
Tools and Products That Make Life Easier
These few products I’ve found to be helpful and I now use every time I clean mine:
Tools
- Misting bottles with adjustable nozzles – Having full control is so important
- Multiple microfiber cloths – Keep separate ones for different solutions
- Plant cleaning brushes – Designed for delicate leaves
- Support stakes – Needed for large and mature monsteras
Cleaning Solutions Worth Buying
While homemade solutions work great sometimes commercial products are more convenient:
- Gentle plant cleaning sprays – Look for ones without added shine agents
- Neem oil concentrate – More economical than pre mixed solutions
- Distilled water – A must if you have hard tap water
How to Keep Leaves Cleaner Longer
A good cleaning routine is one where you don’t have to do it very often. And you can definitely reduce how much you need to clean by taking some simple steps to keep the dust off your monstera to begin with.
Location Matters
Keep your monstera away from heating vents, dusty surfaces and areas where people pass by a lot. I moved mine away from my home office setup and very quickly saw a lot less dust building up.
Improving Air Quality
Air purifiers reduce the amount of dust floating around your home. According to the US Environment Protection Agency, HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger – that includes most household dust.
Humidity Control
The right humidity levels (40 to 60% for most homes) will keep the static electricity down. Less static electricity means less dust attracted to leaves. Using a humidifier near any of your plants will make a difference.
Troubleshooting Issues
When Leaves Stay Dull After Cleaning
If your monstera leaves still look lackluster after you’ve cleaned them then check for:
- Not enough light – even clean leaves can’t photosynthesize in poor light
- Nutrient deficiency – particularly nitrogen
- Root bound – time to repot
- Pest damage – some insects cause permanent damage to leaves
Dealing with Persistent Spots
Some stains and spots will need you to taken some special steps:
Calcium deposits: Use a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution. Let it sit for 5 minutes then wipe the leaves clean.
Pest damage: Clean thoroughly then treat with the most suitable way.
Age spots: Brown or yellow spots on older leaves are natural.
Final Thoughts
After all this detailed advice what has worked best for me is pretty simple: be consistent.
A quickly clean every week using a microfiber cloth will be good enough to deal with most problems. It’s quick too and should only take around five minutes per plant.
And then a monthly clean where you really get stuck in will handle the rest. You don’t need to have some perfect technique or the best products. Just have a regular routine that you stick to.
The most beautiful monsteras I know belong to people who pay attention to their plants. They notice when the leaves start looking dull, they spot pest problems early and they then act on those.
Your monstera will appreciate consistent and kind care. Do that and you’ll get glossy leaves that look great.
Building Your Cleaning Routine
Start simple and build from there:
Week 1-2: Start with gentle dusting using a dry microfiber cloth
Week 3-4: Add light misting with plain water
Month 2: Introduce a gentle soap for deeper cleaning
Month 3 and beyond: At this point you have to come with your own routine based on what your monstera likes and needs
The best monstera cleaning routine is the one you’ll stick with. Start with what feels manageable and go from there.