How to easily wash flowerpots?

During planting season, it is important to prepare your flowerpots with soap to give the plants a good start and prevent the spread of pests. Recycling is essential, and even plastic pots can be reused after cleaning. Here are our tips for washing your pots and giving them a fresh start before planting.

Last edited on May 8, 2024

Washing flowerpots

Now that it is planting season, we would like to recommend washing or cleaning your flowerpots with soap. Västerbottenssåpa is mild, natural, and replenishing, while also killing most pests, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that could otherwise spread to this year's new, fresh plants.

Give your plants a good start. Recycling is our guiding principle, so recycle all pots until they no longer hold together—that is our advice. Even plastic pots, including the thin little planting pots that summer flowers come in, can be washed and reused for purposes such as sowing seeds.

Once they have served their purpose, sort them as hard plastic for recycling. 

Here's how:

Knock out as much soil as possible and, if necessary, brush away the dry soil stuck along the sides of the pot. If you have had problems with pests, it is a good idea to let the pots soak in water with a generous amount of pump soap for a while before washing the pots.

We used a coarse scrubbing brush from Västerbottenssåpa. It effectively removes dried soil. After that, we used a softer dish brush with soft horsehair bristles on the outside, as we also want to take care of the beautiful patina that old pots have.

Then let the pots stand and dry until they are completely dry before it is time to plant again—we will return to that matter!

And now, don't forget to clean the sink, brushes, countertop, and floor.

Countertops, especially stainless-steel ones, become very clean when you wash them with soap. Everything that does not come off when you simply wipe them lightly with dishwashing liquid and a cloth disappears instantly with a little soap.

If the countertop or sink is very deeply soiled, as can happen in garages and utility rooms, for example, we recommend this sponge as well as solid Västerbottens Soap.

Now we are just waiting for spring so that the growing season can really get underway.

_________________________________________________________________________

 Questions and Answers

- Why is it important to wash flowerpots with soap before planting?
Cleaning flowerpots with soap helps create a clean, pest-free environment for the plants, while also replenishing the pots and giving them a fresh start.

- What steps are recommended for washing flowerpots properly?
First, knock out as much soil as possible and brush away any dry soil along the sides of the pot. Then let the pots soak in water with a generous amount of pump soap to loosen any pests. Use a coarse scrubbing brush to effectively remove dried soil, and finish with a softer dish brush for the outside.

- Which other surfaces are recommended for cleaning with soap before planting?
In addition to the flowerpots, the sink, brushes, countertop, and floor can also be cleaned with soap to create a clean, fresh environment before the growing season. Stainless-steel countertops become especially clean with soap and can be effectively cleaned with this natural product.