How to clean your Greenhouse

In this blog we tell you how to clean your greenhouse. Cleaning your greenhouse is a very important part for maintaining a healthy and productive growing environment for your plants. A clean greenhouse will let in more light and help control pests and diseases too. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your greenhouse.

REMOVE PLANTS AND DEBRIS

Ideally pick a dry and mild day and start by removing tall plants, pots, and any remaining plants to a sheltered area while cleaning is carried out. Remove any debris from the greenhouse. This includes any dead leaves, weeds, and any other organic matter. Use a broom, dustpan, and brush to remove loose dirt, dust and debris from the floor and benches.

WASH SURFACES

Mix a solution of mild soap with water or use a garden disinfectant such as Jeyes fluid and use a sponge or soft brush to scrub staging, shelves, and other surfaces.  Pay attention to areas with stubborn stains or algae growth. Rinse thoroughly with water.

CLEAN ALL THE GREENHOUSE GLASS

Use a glass cleaner to remove grime and streaks on the glass, and on plastic or polyethylene surfaces a mild detergent should be sufficient. Scrub every pane with a sponge to remove all dirt, moss, and algae. Ideally take out the glass to clean, but if it isn’t feasible, you can get the dirt out from between the overlapping panes by scraping it out with a plant label. Once clean rinse thoroughly.

If you are cleaning an Access frame and have removed the glass to clean, rub a candle on the black and white tapes in the channels and on the aluminium lips and bottom edge of the glass to help the glass sheets slide smoothly, before re-installing.

CLEAN VENTS

Make sure all ventilation systems such as louvres are clean and functional. Remove any dirt or obstructions that may hinder proper airflow. Spray any louvre mechanism with WD40.

DISINFECT GREENHOUSE

After the greenhouse has been given an overall clean, inspect the greenhouse for any remaining signs of algae, mould, or mildew and if you find any, clean the affected areas with a mixture of water and white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. To prevent the spread of diseases and pests, disinfect the greenhouse using a greenhouse disinfectant. Pay attention to high touch areas where contamination is more likely. If you use a specific cleaning agent, like Algon, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper dilution and application and wear protective gear such as gloves and a mask when dealing with mould.

If you use tools and equipment in your greenhouse, clean and disinfect them as well. This helps prevent the spread of diseases among plants. Wash your seed trays with disinfectant before thoroughly rinsing.

INSPECT AND REPAIR

While cleaning, inspect the greenhouse structure for any damage or wear. Check for broken glass, damaged frames, or torn plastic. Make necessary repairs to ensure the structural integrity of the greenhouse.

If your greenhouse has a gutter put on a pair of rubber gloves and scoop out any leaves, moss and other debris that has accumulated, particularly focusing on where the gutter meets the fall pipe. Rinse away any remaining dirt with a hosepipe or watering can. If the gutter goes to a water butt now is a good time to empty and clean out any accumulated dirt in the bottom.

REORGANISE AND REPLANT

Once the greenhouse is clean and dry re-organise the space, it’s important to keep your greenhouse space clean and tidy to help prevent the spread of pests or diseases.  Consider any changes or improvements you can make to optimize the layout for better plant growth then return everything to its proper place in the greenhouse to complete the cleaning process.

It is always satisfying when you finished cleaning your greenhouse and its ready for another flourishing years growing.