Updated at: 25-05-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

What if I told you that cleaning smart pots can be accomplished in just three simple steps? Cleaning smart pots is only logical given the rise in popularity of the containers. Among gardeners, “fabric pots” has become a catchall phrase for smart pots, which are actually fabric containers.

Since you may grow nearly anything in these pots, you need know how to clean them before reusing them. The producer commended the goods’ lifespan. The combination of smart pots and a greenhouse can let you maintain a year-round vegetable garden. However, it is expected that both will need to be maintained in order to perform their duties effectively.

How To Clean Smart Pots: Quick And Easy Guide

Removal

Clean the smart pot in the same manner you would any other type of pot. All that is left is the earth and the remaining debris. Soft scrub brushes can be used to remove stubborn stains and grime, but exercise caution to prevent hurting the surface.

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Occasionally, you’ll find dried soil and roots that are more difficult to remove from inside. Use a vacuum cleaner or rub the container’s sides together if this is the situation you find yourself in. If the pot is damp, dump the contents and allow it to dry in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Allow the smart pots to air dry for a few days to observe if there are any remaining residues.

Cleaning

Afterwards, you’ll need to wash the smart pot to remove dirt, stains, and other debris. It’s possible to do this by hand in a tub of warm water, but a washing machine will save you time. How can you wash smart pots with soap?

Some experienced gardeners use OxiClean, laundry detergent or peroxide to clean and disinfect their pots and containers. The cleaners should be chlorine-free, though, in order to avoid harming the fabric. The pot should be washed and rinsed thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining residues.

Rinsing can be a tedious part of cleaning and washing by hand. A washing machine accomplishes all of this for you! To avoid permanent damage to the smart pots’ appearance, it is critical that they not be dried in the dryer.

Drying

The smart pots should never be dried in the dryer, as previously stated. Let them dry naturally before using them. When the season is through, you can either store the garments or use them again for the next year.

Why Clean Smart Pots

A light dusting or scouring of the pots in the spring should take care of any dirt that has accumulated. If you’re confident the soil in the smart pots is pathogen-free and still useable, you can keep them over the winter. The most important thing is to make sure that the soil contains the proper amount of nutrients to support healthy plant development.

White stains are caused by mineral salts, which are found in hard water. The salts can harm plant growth if they aren’t cleaned up as soon as possible. Overwatering, on the other hand, can lead to a deposit of algae that impedes the pot’s ability to circulate air.

In order for the smart pots to do their function properly, they need to be cleaned and sterilized to remove both accumulations. Crop rotation is essential, as is staying one step ahead of any soil-borne diseases that may emerge. Nevertheless, for your own peace of mind, make sure to examine and completely clean your smart pots.

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Caring for your Smart Pots this winter

Planting in Smart Pots for a long time will eventually cause them to display indications of wear and tear. There may have been some greenery on the outside of the containers while the sweet bell peppers were developing within.

Fabric containers are designed to last a long time, but they won’t always look new. The Smart Pot may need some TLC after a long period of use. Excessive salts leached from fertilizers can generate white buildup, excessive moisture can lead to green algae or moss, and mildew can form on the pot’s outside surface.

Smart Pots can be cared for in a variety of ways, depending on whether you leave them outside year-round or empty and store them for the upcoming gardening season.

To avoid moving their Smart Pots, some gardeners leave them outside. Because of this, it is important to have enough storage capacity! While the pots are still full, the containers’ exteriors can be washed with soap and water. Add baking soda and water to a small bucket and mix thoroughly. Scrub the pot with a soft-bristled scrub brush to remove any residue or discoloration. After that, let the container to air dry.

If you’re one of the many gardeners who prefer to store their Smart Pots indoors over the winter, you’re in good company! Scoop out the soil and let the bag to dry completely before storing containers for future use. Used dirt can be composted, used in the perennial garden, or recycled elsewhere in the landscape.

To clean the container’s interior, rub the container’s sides together once it has dried. Gently brush away dust and small roots. Pots can be stored in a potting shed, garage, or basement as soon as they are dry and clean.

Smart Pots can be readily cleaned and sanitized if the containers’ exteriors have mineral buildup or appear unclean. You can use OxiClean or non-chlorine bleach in your washing detergent. Pots can be sterilized to keep them fresh for the next growing season by killing any remaining bacteria.

Smart Pots may be machine washed, hand washed in a tub, or soaked in a large bucket of cleaning solution, much like other washable fabrics. Make sure to properly clean each pot. Drying by air is the only option. Keep your Smart Pots out of the dryer to preserve their stiffness and form. For more information, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Fold and store your pots when they are thoroughly dry. Whenever the following growing season comes around, you’ll have your Smart Pots ready to fill and plant. Your Smart Pots can be used over and over again for a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and annual flowers.

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Conclusion

With the right pots and the right conditions, a year-round productive garden can be achieved. Smart pots, on the other hand, necessitate regular upkeep, so learn how to clean them alongside your greenhouse. Three simple actions are all it takes to clean the containers.

Allow the pots to dry out so that the residues and dirt may be easily removed and disposed of. OxiClean or hydrogen peroxide can be used to sanitize them in a washing machine. Don’t use a drier after that; air-dry the pots instead.