How To Clean Grow Bags [Quickly & Easily]

Grow bags are convenient containers, but they can be tricky to clean. When the season ends, you're probably thinking about the quickest and easiest way to clean grow bags. We've researched this topic to find the answers you need.

How to Clean Grow Bags

Empty the grow bag and let it dry for 24 hours. Remove any hardened material on the grow bag using a brush to loosen them.
Remove remaining dirt by using a high-pressure nozzle or washer.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a large plastic tub. Fill the tub halfway with water and agitate it to produce suds.
Place the bags in the tub and submerge them. Add more water if necessary and leave them to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove stains and hardened soil in the grow bag. Wash and rinse well with clean water.
Flip the grow bags upside down and hang them. Allow to air dry for 24 hours or more, ensuring that the grow bag is completely dry before storing.

Cleaning the grow bags after the growing season is important so you can reuse them again next year. In this post, we will discuss how you can clean your grow bags. We'll also discuss the benefits of using grow bags, so keep reading, and we hope you enjoy this post!

How To Clean Grow Bags [Quickly & Easily]

For many gardeners, grow bags have become one of the primary containers they use during the growing season.

These thick, non-woven fabric grow bags are durable and long-lasting, making them a prime choice for gardeners. They are reusable and easy to use, which is why grow bags have grown in popularity over the years.

Every season, grow bags must be cleaned and stored so you can use them again when it's time to seed new plants. Many people new to grow bags worry about cleaning them, but fortunately, it's an easy task.

To clean grow bags, all you need is time and a little scrubbing here and there to get them clean.

Materials needed:

Grow bags
Soft-bristle brush
High-pressure nozzle
Baking soda
Dishwashing liquid
Water
Washing tub

Instructions:

1. Empty the grow bags

Begin by emptying the grow bags completely of all growing material. Shake off all soil from the grow bag's creases and corners as much as possible.

Let it dry for about 24 hours to allow the moist growing material to harden. Loosen off the hardened material by using a soft brush.

2. Clean and remove stains

After removing all the hardened growing material from the grow bags, clean them by rinsing them in water. If there are stains, use a high-pressure nozzle or washer to wash out any remaining dirt.

3. Soak the bags

Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a big washing tub. Do not add more cleaning products because washing them off the grow bags will be harder. Fill the tub halfway through with water and agitate the solution to create suds.

Place the grow bags in the tub and submerge them. Add more water until it covers the grow bags and leave them to soak for about 20 to 30 minutes.

4. Wash and rinse the grow bags

After soaking the grow bags, brush off any remaining dirt and stains using a soft-bristled brush. Wash the grow bags until all of the stains are removed. Rinse the grow bags under clear running water and shake them to dry.

5. Dry and store the grow bags

Flip the grow bags upside down and hang them over a line to allow the water to drip from the bags.

Air dry the grow bags for 24 hours or more (depending on the weather in your area). Make sure the grow bags are completely dry before folding them for storage.

Can Grow Bags Get Moldy?

Grow bags are often wet, which is why they are prone to getting moldy if left damp for a long time.

Typically, grow bags turn moldy during storage and not during use. If you have grow bags that are discolored, feel slimy, or have an unpleasant odor, it's more likely that the grow bags have mold.

Mold grows on grow bags if they are left damp in a dark place. The lack of light and air allows the mold to grow and it can ruin the grow bags if you don't remove them quickly.

This is why grow bags must be completely dry before storing them to avoid mold from growing on the fabric.

Fortunately, mold is easy to remove on grow bags, and most molds are not harmful to plants.

To remove mold, make a solution with one part of water and vinegar, with a tablespoon of baking soda, to a spray bottle. Shake the solution until everything is mixed, and spray it on the grow bag.

Alternatively, you can also use a soft-bristled brush and dip it in the solution before rubbing it into the grow bag. Allow the bag to air-dry completely before storing them.

You can also disinfect your grow bags using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water.

Mix equal parts of peroxide and water in a spray bottle and apply them directly to the grow bag to disinfect them. Do this if your bag has gone moldy or if you see fungus on the grow bag.

After washing, this peroxide and water solution can also be reapplied to the grow bags. Just remember to allow them to air dry completely before storing them.

How Do You Store Grow Bags?

The number one rule when storing grow bags is that they should be completely dry. After washing the grow bags, keep them outside for 24 hours to allow them to air dry completely.

If you live in a humid area, you should leave the grow bags outside for another 24 hours to make sure that they are completely dry.

People often ask if grow bags can be dried in the dryer. Unfortunately, doing this can ruin your grow bags. The heat from the dryer will damage the fabric of the grow bag, and it will shorten the lifespan of the bags.

While it is tempting to dry the bags this way, be patient and allow them to dry naturally.

Are There Pros And Cons To Using Grow Bags?

Seeing grow bags used by other gardeners can be a little overwhelming if you are new to gardening. However, these fabric bags are easy to use and do what they say they will do.

A grow bag will grow your new plants or seedlings for the season, and just like regular bags, you can store and keep them until you need them again.

There are many pros and cons to using a grow bag. Some gardeners prefer using them, while others would like to use the conventional approach to gardening. To help you decide if you want to use grow bags, here are some of their pros and cons.

Pros

Grow bags are easy to move. Unlike pots and planters, grow bags have handles that allow you to move them around anytime, anywhere. They are significantly lighter than pots but be forewarned that the big grow bags can also be heavy to move.
When it comes to growing root systems, grow bags are better at preventing plants from being rootbound. This means that the roots will not circle the plant and naturally grow downwards. This makes pruning the roots easier as they grow.
Overwatering is rarely a problem with grow bags. Because the bags are made of fabric, water flows easier out of the bag and will not drown your plants if you overwater them. Grow bags also regulate soil temperature because they allow the soil to breathe, unlike pots.

Cons

Unlike pots, grow bags break down after a few years of use. While they are reusable, the fabric will wear down after some time, and you'll need a new grow bag when it finally breaks.

Aesthetically, grow bags aren't as pretty and appealing as a nice, solid terracotta pot. They look plain and boring, and sometimes, people do mistake them for garbage bags.

Grow bags also need more frequent watering because of their porous nature. Unlike pots, you can't leave plants in a grow bag for extended periods because they easily dry up.

They need constant watering, so diligence is the key to making your plants happy.

Wrapping Things Up

Grow bags are great to use every planting season. However, it's important to remember that they should be clean so that the new plants will be healthy when you use them again.

Keep your grow bags clean after every growing season and store them properly to last a long time.

Would you like to learn more about grow bags? We have a couple of articles that might interest you:

Grow Bags Vs Raised Beds: Which Is Better?

What Size Grow Bag For Peppers?