How to clean a grow tent is a common question amongst growers because cleanliness is a part of growing quality crops. Keeping your grow tent kits and grow lights clean, organized, and sanitized helps prevent pests, molds, and diseases from attacking your plants. How to properly clean grow tents? Discover some valuable tips herein.
Tools You Need to Clean Your Grow Tent Kit
For a thorough grow tent kit cleaning, you will need:
- A broom, brush, dustpan, mop, and bucket
- Soft cloths (preferably sponges)
- Vacuum cleaner (optional)
- Cleaning reagents: bleach, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide
- Protective gear: gloves, protective goggles, boots
- Clean water
- Alcohol wipes
Steps to Clean Your Grow Tent
1. Remove All Peripherals
First, you will have to switch off your equipment, but you can keep the extraction fan on. While cleaning, it will help expel the fumes from your cleaning agents.
Leave your LED grow lights hanging if it costs you an arm and a leg to bring them down. However, it will be easy to clean them once you place them on a surface where you can comfortably work from.
Remove all grow containers and fabric grow pots from your grow tent kit's grow space, along with trellis nets and supports. It will be easy to clean your grow tent since you can access all corners.
2. Sweep the Grow Tent Floor & Walls
Start by sweeping the floor. Sweeping will help remove dirt that lies on the floor. Dirt and debris are common hideouts for pathogens and pests. By doing so, you will avoid spreading them around while working.
Then remove surface dirt from the walls of your grow tent by dusting with a sponge, from top to bottom, and sweep the floor once more to leave it spotless.
In the second sweeping round, a vacuum cleaner will significantly help. If there were pest issues in the last cleaning exercise, you would need an insecticidal bomb. Insecticidal bombs help kill pests, but using a vacuum cleaner will help remove harmful chemical residues on the walls and floor.
If you decide to use an insecticidal bomb pesticide in your grow tent while cleaning, turn off the extractor and seal the kit for 8-24 hours. Enhance air circulation before re-entering the grow tent.
Next, add one tablespoon of 5% Bleach to 1 gallon of a bucket of water. Wipe the tent's walls with the solution and a sponge before mopping its floor.
You may use Hydrogen Peroxide solution instead of bleach. With Hydrogen peroxide, a concentration as low as 3% will kill off all the pests and infectious microbes.
Ensure you're wearing protective gloves while applying bleach and eyeglasses when doing overhead cleaning. Allow the surface to soak while the bleach disinfects it. Afterward, dry with a towel.
3. Clean Your LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights need frequent cleaning for optimal performance. Before cleaning your LED grow light, cut off the power supply or unplug it to prevent electrocution while cleaning. Handle them with care, and do not use your bare hands.
Once you have disconnected the grow lights, it is time to dust them before cleaning. You should use a soft towel or a vacuum cleaner. Do not use abrasive materials since they can damage the lights.
If your grow lights have a dirty lens, the light will bounce back, and the crops won't get enough of it. You need a mild detergent like soap, a soft cloth, and water. Gently wipe the light’s lens and crannies and nooks and crannies until they are clean. Wipe dry with a towel.
Ensure your grow lights are functioning and in good condition. If the lights can sustain the next growing cycle, there is no need to replace them. Instead, gently wipe them with a soft towel to remove dust.
4. Clean Your Ventilation System
Switch off and disconnect the ventilation system before working on it. Using a towel, wipe off the dust from the outer surface of the ducts and the fans. Disconnect and wash the air filter's pre-filter sleeves and the extraction process's anti-insect protection.
While cleaning your legal grow tent's extraction and the Mars Hydro’s ventilation system, examine the ducting of wires and seals for any damage. If any, reseal the wears with duct tape.
At this point, you should consider changing your extraction system's carbon filters. Mars Hydro offers quality carbon filters that enhance effectiveness when cleaning the air.
An activated carbon's lifespan depends on factors like humidity and air odor. High humidity leads to low performance when using filters, while highly potent air odor shortens their lifespan. However, on average, they should sustain your grow tent for 12-18 months.
Conclusion
Keeping your grow tent kit clean is essential for healthy plant growth and maximizing yield. By regularly removing debris, sanitizing surfaces, and maintaining your equipment—from grow lights to ventilation systems—you’ll prevent pests, moldy weed, and disease from disrupting your grow cycles. Make tent cleaning a routine part of your gardening schedule, and your plants will thank you with stronger, more vigorous growth.
