How to clean your greenhouse

How to clean your greenhouse

Find out how to wash, brush and clear your greenhouse, in our detailed practical guide.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
To do
To do

Do To do in January

Do To do in February

Do To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do To do in December

Winter is a great time to clean your greenhouse. Not only will clean windows bring more light to plants growing inside, you will also help get rid of any lurking pests and diseases before the next growing season begins.

Choose a dry, sunny day and remove any plants, tools and other items. Cover tender plants with fleece so they don’t suffer in the cold outdoors.

Open the door and use maximum ventilation to let water evaporate as quickly as possible.

Follow our step-by-step guide to cleaning your greenhouse, below.

Advertisement

You Will Need

  • Gloves
  • Watering can or hose
  • Stiff brush or vacuum
  • Bucket of warm water and diluted detergent
  • Mop or broom
  • Pressure washer (optional)

Total time:

Step 1

Clear out the guttering by running a gloved hand along it, and add the debris to your compost bin. Sluice with water from a watering can or hose, and check the fall pipe isn’t blocked.

Removing leaves from greenhouse guttering.
Removing leaves from greenhouse guttering.

Step 2

Brush or vacuum all the dirt and debris from the greenhouse frame, staging and floor.  Pay particular attention to corners, nooks and crannies, where pests and diseases tend to lurk.

Brush dirt away from the greenhouse frame
Brush dirt away from the greenhouse frame

Step 3

Wash down the windows, both inside and out, to let in as much light as possible. This will benefit overwintering plants, as well as seedlings in spring. Be careful never to lean on the glass.

Washing greenhouse windows
Washing greenhouse windows

Step 4

Wash down staging and floor. A pressure washer is ideal for this job, but you could also use a hose, or a bucket of detergent and a mop or broom. Clear out any debris, then let the floor dry out in the sun.

Washing the greenhouse floor
Washing the greenhouse floor
Advertisement