How Do You Clean Fiberglass Planters?

Fiberglass planters are an ultra-durable and fuss-free option for decorating your business's interior and exterior spaces. The material itself is synthetic and manufactured from a combination of plastic resin and glass fibers. Unlike pots made from terracotta and other natural materials, these containers are an excellent choice if you're looking for longevity. You can position them in high-traffic areas, like offices or reception areas, without having to worry about them getting chipped from the odd knock, and they can handle all sorts of extreme weather, from sun to the snow, without the material deteriorating.

However, no matter where you place them, dust, debris, and dirt will accumulate on your fiberglass planters over time. That's why you must give them a little maintenance now and then to keep them looking as good as when they were first delivered. Don't panic, though — it's easy. Continue reading this guide to fiberglass maintenance for our straightforward tips.

How Do You Clean Fiberglass Planters

Use a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water to wipe away any top-level dirt on the surface of your fiberglass planters and a soft-bristle brush to remove persistent stains, mold, mineral buildup, or engrained algae, then rinse thoroughly. Don’t leave marks for too long, as this makes them harder to rub off. Also, avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive sponges, and steel wool. These can damage the container's protective coating, ruining its visual appeal and making its structural integrity vulnerable to bad weather.

How to Paint Fiberglass Pots

If scratches appear on your fiberglass planters, you can quickly cover them with touch-up paint. Depending on how deep the dent is, you might want to sandpaper the area to level out the mark first, then fill it with epoxy before painting. But, ensure you use high-quality paints suitable for withstanding the elements and stay away from melamine and oil-based products.

For a premium finish, cover the exterior of your outdoor planters with marine-grade wax every six months or so. This extra coating fills in the microscopic pitting on the surface of your pot, giving it a smooth, glossy finish and adding another layer of protection, helping to prolong its lifespan significantly.

Top Fiberglass Maintenance Tips

Here are a few more points to remember to ensure your planters stay in tip-top condition:

Make sure you choose the correct container size — the perfect pot should be a couple of inches larger than the mature plant that will be growing in it. One that's too sizable will retain water for longer, causing root rot and other potentially deadly diseases. However, opt for a smaller planter, and the outward pressure of the foliage inside can warp and damage its walls.
Regularly inspect your fiberglass planters — as long-lasting and hardy as this material is, these pots can still get knocked and nicked when used in busy commercial settings. The best way to protect them is to check for marks as often as possible and fix them immediately. Leaving exposed cracks open for water and debris to get under and infiltrate the protective finish can cause irreparable damage to the structure of the planter.
Don't place your pots on an uneven surface — Typically, planters come with feet to raise them slightly off the ground, as placing them directly on the floor prevents excess water from draining out and can discolor the base of your pot. Also, always sit them on an even surface — failure to do so will make the container prone to tipping over.

Our vast collection of commercial-grade fiberglass planters are available in various styles, sizes, shapes, and hues and can even be designed to mimic other materials like terracotta and concrete. If you would like more fiberglass maintenance tips or advice on which planter's best for your business, please call (855) 627-1066 or email sales@potsplantersandmore.com.