Cleaning Houseplants After a Summer Outdoors

Q: What is the best solution for cleaning houseplants that have been outside all summer?

A: Patio plants often get dusty after a summer outdoors. Freshen them up by finding an old cotton sock, putting it on one hand, dampening with clean water, and using your free hand to hold each leaf while wiping the top surface with the wet sock. This also lets you check for mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites on leaves and stems. Treat any pests with insecticide before bringing plants indoors.