Cleaning Your AeroGarden

Freshen up your indoor garden by following these easy tips!

Before using your new hydroponic seed pod kits, you'll want to clean your indoor garden for a fresh start. Not sure where to begin? We’re here to guide you through it.

Start by dismantling your garden and cleaning out your indoor plants and any leftover roots. Roots can grow into the filter, so be sure to clean it out and reinstall after you’ve finished cleaning the bowl. If the filter looks too worn, replace the filter to prolong the life of your pump. Be careful not to throw away your filter by accident! It’s easy to do when removing plant roots.

After clearing out the roots, you should clean and sanitize your AeroGarden® hydroponics growing system to help prevent the growth of root pathogens that can destroy your live plants. There are various ways to clean your garden:

AeroGarden® Hydroponic No-Rinse Cleanser

This easy-to-use, oxygen based cleansing powder makes cleaning your garden between plantings even easier. Run it through your garden with fresh water for a few hours, and you're ready to plant new seed pods!

If you have a dishwasher:

Put your grow deck and bowl in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Run through a warm or cold water cycle (do not use a hot water or heat dry cycle).
Reassemble to start your next round of gardening.

If you don’t have a dishwasher:

Fill the bowl with either water and a ¼ cup of chlorine bleach OR 5 cups of distilled white vinegar (no need to use water if you’re using the vinegar). Vinegar also helps prevent and clean up mineral deposits in your garden.
Let the water pump or aerator circulate the solution for 5 minutes.
Empty the solution, rinse well, and then fill with clear water (no bleach).
Allow the pump or aerator to circulate the clear water for 5 minutes.
Empty and rinse once more to ensure that all solution is rinsed from the bowl.
Reassemble and start using your indoor hydroponic system

Cleaning the Grow Deck

Sometimes roots will grow through the nozzles on the grow deck and prevent proper water flow. Separating and cleaning the grow deck of any stray roots can help keep the water flowing efficiently. The grow deck can be separated on almost all AeroGarden® models.

First, remove the grow deck from the bowl of your AeroGarden® and place it upside-down on a flat surface. Locate the tabs on the underside of the deck and push the tabs inward and down. The tabs are flexible and designed to be separated. Use a scrub brush or similar cleaning tool to remove the roots and any other debris from the grow deck. Snap back together in place.

Cleaning out your garden is simple and effective. Following these steps will help your plants thrive during your next gardening cycle setting you and your harvest up for success.