Spring cleaning is a great time of the year because it is all about renewal. The beautiful spring weather gives you a chance to open up curtains and windows to let in some fresh air. It is also a good time to consider giving your houseplants a fresh start as well. Many houseplants may only need a quick wipe down with a damp cloth, but every now and then you should consider doing a thorough makeover to keep your houseplants looking their best.

Here are some tips on getting your houseplants ready for spring:

* Clear out dead leaves
If you haven’t taken a close look at your houseplants lately, now is the perfect time to do so. If there are dead leaves or even dying leaves that you notice on your plants, then carefully pull them off and put them in your compost pile. Dead leaves really weigh on a plant’s energy. Once the dead and dying leaves are removed from the plant, it will be able to use its energy to grow new, healthier leaves and keep its current leaves in good shape. So do not feel about removing the dead and dying leaves because you are simply giving your plants a chance to renew their energy towards good health; not to mention that the plants will look better overall.

* Wipe down plant leaves
With a damp cloth, gently wipe down the healthy leaves of your plants. By carefully wiping down the leaves of your plants, you will remove any dust that has settled of their surfaces over winter and give them a nice shine. You will notice that their color becomes more vibrant without the layer of dust. This is also a good time to wipe down the leaves of your rubber houseplants as well. For silk houseplants, you should follow your manufacturer’s instructions because some real 100% silk houseplants cannot be cleaned with water because it would ruin the silk material. If you are unsure, test a small area of the plant to ensure that you can clean it with water without ruining it.

* Re-pot growing plants and flowers
If your plants and flowers look as though they are outgrowing their pot, then it may be time to give them a new home. Repotting a growing plant or flower will give its roots more room to grow and expand, thus allowing the plant to reach a greater potential in size and health. If repotting, check out the tip below to ensure that you are adding more nutrient rich soil to the pot prior to moving the plant in.

* Add compost or new dirt
If the dirt in your potted plants or flowers look nutrient poor, then it may be time to add new compost or dirt to the pot. To do so, carefully take the plant out of its pot and remove the loose dirt around its roots; the dirt around the roots will likely be nutrient poor. In the pot, add new and nutrient rich compost or dirt before carefully putting the plant back. Re-potting and/or adding more compost to your plants is a task best completed outside, so that you do not spill dirt onto your carpet or hardwood floors.