Dusty leaves? These fluffy barbecue tongs should help
18.9.2025
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Darina Schweizer
Removing dust from plant leaves is a Sisyphean task. The Leaf Cleaning Tongs get under your leaves - but does it deliver what it promises?
If you have houseplants, you know them: The annoying layer of dust that settles on the leaves about two weeks after dusting. I used to wipe it off with a damp sponge cloth or rinse it off in the shower. But this is a wobbly and wet affair.
No wonder my interest was piqued when I came across a leaf cleaner: the Leaf Cleaning Tongs.
Efficient, but squeaky
Optically, it resembles fluffy barbecue tongs. I pinch the plant leaf, hold it by the leaf stem and pull over it. The dust sticks to a microfibre layer.
Two small magnets allow the tongs to snap open automatically. This makes it easy to open and reattach large sheets - a well thought-out detail? In practice, I find the mechanism awkward: I have to constantly hold the pliers at the front to prevent them from opening. What's more, the hinge squeaks every time I open it.
Other than that, the Leaf Cleaning Tongs are reasonably practical. I can remove the dust from the leaves more evenly and efficiently than with a cloth. And I don't have to lug the pots into the shower. The tongs also look nice. I can leave them next to the pot - as a dust reminder.
Cleaning is worthwhile (almost always)
And regular dusting is even more important than I thought! According to the plant guide:
- plants with dedusted leaves absorb light and carbon dioxide better,
- are better able to photosynthesise
- and are less likely to be attacked by pests.
However, not all plants are equally suitable for dusting. Species with hairy, waxy or very small leaves - for example the Aloe vera, spiny cacti or the chandelier plant - you should leave the tongs alone. There is a high risk of snapping off or injuring leaves. A shower is also unsuitable for succulents because they don't like waterlogged soil. You would therefore have to seal their pot with a plastic bag. Tedious
Alternatives and no-gos
It is much easier to use a soft Mal- or make-up brush. However, dedusting is not that fundamentally important for succulents. And by the way: Don't confuse dust with epicuticular wax, as I did. It protects succulents from water loss and sunlight and you shouldn't wipe it off (see picture). In contrast to dust on tropical jungle plants such as monsteras, calatheas and co.
You should stay away from anything that is applied to the leaves, for example soap, vinegar or leaf shine spray. These substances can attack the protective layer of the leaves and clog the pores on the undersides.
It's like skin: regular cleansing is good, but too many products are counterproductive. I even consider the Leaf Cleaning Tongs to be superfluous.
In a nutshell
Efficient, but unwieldy
The principle is simple: with the Leaf Cleaning Tongs made from sustainable bamboo, plant leaves can be clamped in a pair of tongs and cleaned of dust using a microfibre layer. This works thoroughly and efficiently, but the magnetic mechanism is impractical. The tongs have to be held shut when cleaning and squeak when they open automatically.
Pro
- efficient
- thorough
- beautifully designed
Contra
- opens automatically
- squeaks
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI like anything that has four legs or roots. The books I enjoy let me peer into the abyss of the human psyche. Unlike those wretched mountains that are forever blocking the view – especially of the sea. Lighthouses are a great place for getting some fresh air too, you know?
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