How to Clean an AeroGarden: A Complete Guide

Your AeroGarden brings the joy of gardening indoors. It’s a nifty system that lets you grow herbs, veggies, and flowers all year long. I’ve got one at home, and it’s amazing to watch my plants thrive even when it’s snowing outside.

The AeroGarden is pretty clever. It’s got a water tank, a pump, grow lights, and special pods for your seeds. Everything works together to give your plants exactly what they need. The system waters them and feeds them automatically. It’s like having a green thumb without all the work!

But the thing is, you’ve got to keep your AeroGarden clean. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. If you don’t, you might end up with so much yucky algae growing in there. That’s not good for your plants. Plus, a clean system means your plants get their nutrients more easily.

Cleaning your AeroGarden isn’t just a chore. It’s your ticket to a lush indoor garden. I’ll cover all the important steps to keep your indoor garden happy and healthy. With a little bit of care, you’ll be amazed at how well your plants can grow.

• Related article: Guide for Choosing the Best AeroGarden Model

7 Key Takeaways on How to Clean an AeroGarden

1. Grab a clean cloth or paper towel, warm water, white vinegar or bleach, rubber gloves, and a toothbrush to effectively clean your AeroGarden.
2. Always unplug your AeroGarden before cleaning to avoid any electrical hazards.
3. Consider using AeroGarden’s No-Rinse Cleanser for a hassle-free cleaning experience between plantings.
4. If you prefer convenience, place the grow deck and bowl on the dishwasher’s top rack using a warm or cold water cycle. Avoid hot water to prevent damage.
5. For manual cleaning, mix warm water with vinegar or bleach, run it through the system, rinse thoroughly, and reassemble.
6. Regularly clean the grow deck by removing it, flipping it over, cleaning debris with a brush, and reattaching it to optimize water flow.
7. A clean AeroGarden ensures healthier plants and better performance, enhancing your gardening experience.

What Materials Are Needed to Clean the AeroGarden Manually?

Ready to give your AeroGarden a good scrub? Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A Clean Cloth or Paper Towels – Grab a clean cloth or some paper towels. They’re perfect for wiping down those tricky spots and parts you can’t get wet, like the lights and screens.
2. Warm Water – Warm water is your friend. It’s better at loosening dirt than cold water and helps mix the cleaning solution.
3. White Vinegar or Bleach – White vinegar or bleach will be your cleaning superhero. They knock out stains, smells, and bacteria. Vinegar is the natural choice, but both work wonders. Just be ready for a bit of a stink!
4. Rubber Gloves – Don’t forget rubber gloves. They’ll keep your hands safe from the cleaning mix, especially if you’re using bleach.
5. Toothbrush – A toothbrush is your secret weapon. It’ll help you get into all those tiny spaces where dirt likes to hide.

With these tools, you’ll have your AeroGarden sparkling clean in no time. Have you tried cleaning yours before? How did it go for you?

What Are the Options for Cleaning the AeroGarden?

Now that you have everything ready, let’s dive into cleaning your AeroGarden! Before we start, make sure that the unit is unplugged. Safety first, right? Water and electricity don’t mix well. 

How to Clean the AeroGarden With a No-Rinse Cleanser

Ever heard of AeroGarden’s Hydroponic No-Rinse Cleanser (check price)? It’s a game-changer. This oxygen-based powder makes cleaning a breeze between plantings.

These are the steps to cleaning your AeroGarden by using their No-Rinse Cleanser:

1. Empty your garden.
2. Fill it with fresh water.
3. Add the cleanser powder.
4. Let it run for a few hours.

And voila! You’re all set to pop in new seed pods. No scrubbing, no fuss. It’s like magic for your AeroGarden. You can also use an alternative like General Hydroponics FloraKleen Clearing Solution (view item).

I remember the first time I used it. I was skeptical, but boy, was I impressed. The garden looked brand new after the cleaning cycle. This has become my go-to method ever since.

How to Clean the AeroGarden With a Dishwasher

Here’s another quick and easy way to clean your AeroGarden. I’ve done this many times, and it’s a breeze. Just pop the grow deck and bowl into your dishwasher’s top rack. 

Here’s how to clean your AeroGarden using a dishwasher:

1. Place the Grow Deck and Grow Bowl on the top rack of your dishwasher.
2. Choose a warm or cold water cycle.
3. Reassemble your AeroGarden.

Don’t use hot water or heat dry. These can warp your AeroGarden parts. Stick with warm or cold water for the best results. Once the cycle’s done, your AeroGarden parts will be squeaky clean. Just put everything back together, and you’re all set for your next gardening adventure. It’s that simple!

How to Clean the AeroGarden Without a Dishwasher

Don’t worry if you don’t have any of the options above. You can still clean your AeroGarden manually. Make sure that you have all the ingredients in the previous section prepared so you don’t need to stop in between steps. 

Here’s how you can clean your AeroGarden manually:

1. Choose your cleaning solution. You can either mix water with ¼ cup of chlorine bleach or use 5 cups of distilled white vinegar. Vinegar’s a great choice to break down mineral deposits too.
2. Run the solution through your system for 5 minutes. Let the pump or aerator do its thing.
3. Dump out the cleaning mix and give everything a good rinse.
4. Fill your garden up with clean water and run it for another 5 minutes.
5. Do one more rinse to make sure all that cleaning stuff is gone.
6. Put it all back together and you’re ready to grow the best plants for AeroGarden!

I’ve used this method myself and it works like a charm. Your plants will thank you for the sparkling clean home. Just remember, a clean AeroGarden Kit (view current prices) means happier, healthier plants. Let me know which of the three options above worked best for you.

How to Clean a Blocked AeroGarden Grow Deck

You might notice your AeroGarden isn’t flowing as smoothly as it used to. Don’t worry, it’s a common issue. Plant roots can sometimes sneak through the nozzles on the Grow Deck and block water flow. But I’ve got a quick fix for you!

Here’s what you can do:

1. Take the grow deck off your AeroGarden bowl.
2. Flip it upside-down on a flat surface.
3. Look for tabs on the underside.
4. Push these tabs inward and down. They’re flexible, so don’t be afraid to apply some pressure.
5. Once open, grab a scrub brush.
6. Give it a good clean, removing any roots or debris you see.
7. When you’re done, just snap it back together.

This simple cleanup can boost your garden’s efficiency. Have you noticed any changes in your AeroGarden’s performance lately? This little maintenance trick might be just what it needs to get back to its best.

Cleaning an AeroGarden Final Thoughts

Keeping your AeroGarden clean is key for your plants to thrive. I’ve tried different methods, and each has its perks.

You can go old school with a manual scrub. I mix warm water with ¼ cup of bleach or just pure white vinegar. This kicks grime to the curb and disinfects like a champ. Just rinse well to avoid any leftover residue that might bug your plants.

If you’re short on time, toss the dishwasher-safe parts in with your dishes. It’s a breeze, but watch out for high heat. You don’t want to warp anything.

Between plantings, I’ve found AeroGarden’s Hydroponic No-Rinse Cleanser to be a game-changer. No scrubbing needed! It’s perfect when you’re itching to start a new crop right away.

Regular cleaning isn’t just about looks. It boosts your AeroGarden’s performance and creates a healthier home for your plants as well. With a clean system, you’ll be growing fresh food year-round without problems.

Cleaning an AeroGarden FAQs

1. What Is the Best Way to Clean an AeroGarden?

The best way to clean an AeroGarden is to remove all parts and get rid of any remaining plants and dirt. Mix up some vinegar and warm water and use this solution to sanitize all the parts. Soak them for a bit, then give everything a good scrub. Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly with water when you’re done.

2. How Often Do You Clean an AeroGarden?

Before you plant new seeds, give it a good scrub. Don’t forget about the outside too! A quick wipe-down now and then keeps everything looking fresh. A clean AeroGarden means happy, healthy plants.

3. How Do I Get Rid of Algae in My AeroGarden?

A little algae in your garden won’t hurt your plants. But I get it – it looks gross. If you want to get rid of it, just grab a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe it away.

After that, you’ll want to give your garden a good clean with a vinegar and warm water solution. Dump out the old water and fill it up with fresh water. Make sure to cover any empty pod holes on the Grow Deck with plant spacers to keep the light out.

4. Can You Put AeroGarden Parts in the Dishwasher?

Yes, you can put the AeroGarden deck and bowl into the dishwasher. A warm or cold washing cycle is good but avoid doing a hot water or heat dry cycle. Allow the parts to dry before reassembling.

Here are other articles to help you take full advantage of the AeroGarden:

• AeroGarden Harvest Insights
• AeroGarden Reset Guide
• How to Fix AeroGarden Lights That Don’t Work
• Fixing AeroGarden Bright Lights