How to clean your greenhouse

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 28 October 2019 at 9:48 am

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

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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.

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: An afternoon

Step 1

Removing leaves from greenhouse guttering.

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.

Step 2

Brush dirt away from the greenhouse frame

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.

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.

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.