Over the past few years, fabric grow pots have become popular among most gardeners: they’re super easy to clean after a season or two, and they are great to store afterward. They are made of a thick, nonwoven fabric, which makes them durable and long-lasting.
Usually, fabric grow bags can be used many times, so give your bags proper care and they will last many growing seasons. After each growth cycle, follow these steps to clean your fabric grow bags to make them last longer. Just keep reading and you’ll learn how to clean fabric grow bags.
Steps for how to clean fabric grow bags
1. Empty everything out of your fabric grow bags.
2. Let the grow bag dry for about 24 hours. If there is anything stuck on the side of the bag, shake it or use a knife to scrape it off—you can also use a brush if you’re having trouble.
3. Use a high-pressure nozzle to remove any remaining dirt from the bag. Pay particular attention to any stains you see.
Find a container that you can use to wash your bag in — we recommend plastic or stainless steel:
- Put 1 tablespoon of baking soda or 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap in the washing container, fill it halfway with water, and let the baking soda and soap dissolve in the water. Just 1 tablespoon is fine—be careful not to put too much cleaning solvent since it actually will make cleaning more difficult.
- Place your bags into the container, add more water until your bag is fully submerged, and then let it soak for about 20-30 minutes.
- Pour out some of the water and then use a soft brush to wash your bags—scrub any stains you can see.
- Rinse out your bags with clean water, and put them in a dry place with good airflow for at least 48 hours. Before you fold them and put them away make sure they’re 100% dry with no water at all. If you store a damp bag, it may cause mold or mildew to grow on the bag which then will grow on your plants later. Be careful!! Also, DO NOT put your grow pots in the dryer. This will cause them to fall apart.
Some people might still have questions about how to clean fabric grow bags, so here are some common questions and answers.
- Are fabric grow bags reusable? – how do clean fabric grow bags
Definitely! A quality, thickened fabric grow bag is a good choice since you can wash and store it at the end of each growing season, and use it again in the following spring. Some fabric grow bags are made with recycled material, so they are easier to break down naturally. Of course, this is both a benefit and a drawback but if you take care of your grow bag and wash it after each harvest it will last you a long time.
- Can we use vinegar and baking soda to clean fabric grow bags? – how to clean fabric grow bags
Mixing vinegar and baking soda will cause a chemical reaction that will remove all the cleaning benefits—this process is basically oxidation, so you won’t have any great cleaning effects.
- Can I wash my fabric grow bags with a washing machine? – how to clean fabric grow bags
If you would like to keep your fabric grow bags for a long time, I recommend hand washing. If you insist on using a washing machine, run it on the most gentle cycle with only cold water. You can mix some baking soda with your laundry detergent for a better effect.
- Can I put my fabric grow bags in a dryer if it gets wet? – how do clean fabric grow bags
Usually, we do not recommend you use a dryer to dry out a grow bag since it will shorten the life of the grow bag. Even on low heat, your dryer will harm the fabric. We suggest you hang the fabric grow bags in a shaded place that gets plenty of air circulation, and keep it away from any humid places like bathrooms or kitchens. It might take a long time to dry your grow pot but be patient, this method will make your fabric grow bags last longer.
- If my plants grow fungus how do I disinfect them? – how to clean fabric grow bags
When your plants have a fungus or disease, your fabric grow bags will be infected by them as well and it could lead to the infection of other healthy plants if you continue using the grow bag for the next season. To avoid this situation, you can wash your fabric grow bags by using hydrogen peroxide or scrub them heavily with dish soap.
Using a washing container, put 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 quart of water in it and let it dissolve in water. Soak the grow bag in water for about 20 minutes and then gently wash your fabric grow bags. After you have washed it, put it in a place with good airflow and let it completely dry out, and then put it into the storage. If it is not 100% dry, it will cause mold in storage.
Sum up – how to clean fabric grow bags
We hope we have answered how to clean your fabric grow bags and all of the questions you might have about maintaining your grow bags. If you have any other questions or concerns, send us a message on social media and let us know. We’re happy to help in any way we can. Happy growing!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
And be sure to check out our other blog posts for useful tips on becoming a great grower!
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