How To Clean Your Planters Before Spring—And Why

Dmitrii Marchenko / Getty Images

Scrubbing pots isn't anyone's favorite garden chore, but it's necessary before popping in fresh flowers in spring. Last year's plants may have been afflicted by pests or diseases that are overwintering in your containers. Also, the white salt deposits that stained your containers aren't just unsightly—they can dehydrate the next generation of plants. You want your new plantings to get a healthy start for the spring season, so it's worth setting aside a warm afternoon to scrub your planters.

Here are a few easy steps for cleaning your planters, plus insight on which cleaners are best. Bonus: Those containers will gleam and look like new again—at least for a little while.

Plant pots should be emptied of soil before you put them away for winter and cleaned thoroughly before you begin to use them again in spring. If you notice diseases or pests on your plants during the year, empty and wash containers before you replant them, no matter the season. Besides harboring pests and diseases, the potting mix will break down over time and lose nutrients, so it never hurts to refresh the soil.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Empty out your plant pots if they aren't already. Use a brush to loosen and knock off as much soil as you can.

Fill a tub or sink with warm, soapy water. Plastic containers can be washed with a rag, while clay pots may require scrubbing with a brush. Rinse containers and set aside.

Option 1: Bleach

A bleach solution is considered the most effective method for sanitizing pots, but also the most hazardous. You'll want to wear gloves and make sure your workspace is well-ventilated. Fill your tub or sink with 9 parts hot water and 1 part bleach. Submerge containers for 10 minutes, then remove them and empty the tub. Rinse containers and place them on a drying rack or towel to dry.

Option 2: Rubbing Alcohol

If you don't want to use bleach, wet a rag with undiluted rubbing alcohol and wipe every surface of your pot. Rewet the rag as needed. Rinse and dry containers.

You may notice salt stains or mineral deposits around the rims of your planters. In some cases, the whole container may be stained. Scrub deposits from plastic pots with a scouring pad. With clay pots, stuck-on deposits can be removed with a scouring pad, wire bristle brush, or steel wool. Metal bristles and steel wool can rust, so scrub deposits off of your pots before washing them.