How to CLEAN AN AEROGARDEN, even if it's GROSS!

[@expressivepaper]

After doing a thorough search of how to clean my Harvest Elite I found your video. I have to say that AeroGarden needs to pay you to write the cleaning section of their manual as it is non existent. Your video is BY FAR the best I found. Thank you for being so through. I would also like to know if it is possible to plant some of the aerogeraden herb pods in pots outdoors?

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Wow, thank you Kathleen! That just made my day. I am so glad you found it helpful! When you say "plant some of the aerogarden pods in pots" do you mean start them in the Aerogarden and then transplant to pots or just pop the entire pod in a pot? I have another video which walks through how to move plants from the aerogarden to soil. If you meant to just use the pod in soil then I would cut off the green top and take out the grow pod and plant that. Either should work. Hope that helps.

[@janemair6443]

This is brilliant. You left no root unturned! You are a natural instructor.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Thank you so much Jane! That truly made me smile. I will be focusing on more hydroponic content over the winter now that my outside garden is winding down. Would love any video ideas you may have!

[@dbmittens]

To separate the parts of the top tray, notice that the tab in the middle is not centered. Make sure you start pushing the outer tabs on the end furthest from the middle tab because they will fight back less than the ones closest to the middle tab. Then go for the middle tab.

[@Pamlg]

I don't own one of these, I'm currently deciding which one I want to invest in. I'm so impressed with your videos. The "mess" you have the reality any of us could be faced with. I appreciate you being so transparent and showing it in this state, so we know what to do when it happens to us.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Thanks Pam!

[@kay9156]

Nah, this ain't happening to me!

[@shannoneg2000]

​@kay9156 I'm a neat freak when it comes to my gardens, and mine have never been quite like this, but there's something to be said for leaving your mature, fruiting plants ALONE when they're producing.... even if that means sacrificing that tidy look. I recently had to physically move my AG Farm to another room in my house and I thought "hey, I'll clean everything while I'm at it." One if my mature tomato plants had like 20 fruit being developed. I did my cleaning, water change and moved my station. Within 48 hours the entire plant shriveled up and DIED. I was devastated. My other plants without fruit set were a little worse for wear, but they evened eventually bounced back. Yeah, for me, I think from now on, I will not be doing any form deep cleaning while a fruiting plant is in production. I think the plant just has too much going on to be "messed with" at that stage. (I will, of course, continue to do light surface cleaning and intermittent water changes lol)

[@mariannerapp411]

OMG. I'm so glad you made this video. I just started my first aerogardens about 10 days ago. Now I know I want to make sure I don't let that happen.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Yes Marianne! Be better than ME! LOL I always have good intentions but when the outside garden times rolls around this is the situation I end up in! But again I pledge to do better during the summer in 2021!!! If you have any questions let me know

[@mariannerapp411]

@@The_IndoorGardener Oh, trust me, you are BETTER THAN ME. I keep starting seeds indoors and never transplant them outdoors. I just watch 'em die. I figured with hydroponics, I don't have to go outside and get dirty/sweaty. That aerogarden of yours was truly disgusting. I don't ever want to touch something like that, let alone smell it.. lol. Trust me, I would have ignored it and watched it ferment if I didn't see your video.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

It actually didn’t smell bad at all just looked really mucky! Don’t give up on outdoor gardening! I love doing both because then you can grow food all year. I am guess you didn’t harden off your seedlings. I am attaching my blog post all about how to do it! Hope it helps ourlittlesuburbanfarmhouse.com/harden-off-seedlings/

[@mariannerapp411]

@@The_IndoorGardener No, I never transplanted my seedlings. I just let them sit there in their tiny containers indoors. It gets to humid here, and back pain keeps me from yardwork. So, this solution is amazing. I've been having a salad every other day for the past 2 weeks, and my micro tom tomatoes have started blooming at 4 weeks old. I can't wait. Tonight's dinner is a grilled chicken greek salad with feta. yum.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

@@mariannerapp411 I love the micro toms for growing hydroponically! I just ordered some new ones from Baker Creek, they were the orange hat tomatoes. So can't wait to try those out as soon as they arrive!

[@kimchee94112]

I have a small one, the factory recommendation is throw it on the top rack in the dishwasher. Those big ones like yours, I would take it in the shower and clean me and the Aerogarden at the same time. Further you could use a Waterpik for nooks and crannies as well as drop the pump in an ultrasonic cleaner. No idea it could be that nasty, my little one should be lot easier to clean. Good job, thanks for the video!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

The water pik is a great suggestion! Definitely the goal is not to let it get so nasty 😂 I just always get sucked into the outdoor garden for the outdoor growing season and the hydroponic systems definitely suffer. Hopefully next year I’ll do better! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ivisbohlen2648]

Thank you for this! I turned mine off and abandoned for a few months and it was disgusting! Mine is smaller but you have shown everything I need to know. I never used many of the herbs that came with the kit, so I will try lettuce when I get back from Thanksgiving holiday!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Awesome Ivis! It always puts a smile only face when I can help someone start (or get back) to growing food! What model do you have? If you have any questions let me know and I'd be happy to help if I can :)

[@aleksitanninen]

Just started my first aero garden less than a month ago, glad to know that I’m cleaning it the right way. This is so helpful as I don’t think there’s any actual detailed instructions on maintaining them. Thank you so much!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Glad the video was helpful! So exciting getting your first one! What are you growing?

[@aleksitanninen]

@@The_IndoorGardener heirloom cherry tomatoes and jalapeños 😂

[@growingfoodinsmallspaces8384]

@@aleksitanninen Amazing! Maybe some homemade/homegrown salsa in your future!

[@scrawlingspider]

Thank you for making this video! I don't have a farm, so my cleaning did not take ten hours. However, I found that scrubbing with vinegar took care of the straining for me :)

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Awesome Carol! What are you growing in your Aerogarden?

[@MinielEnglebert]

Thanks for sharing! Real life often prevents us from keeping things pristine. I appreciate both your unfiltered view of what it looked like before and what to do if that happens! I love my 3 Aerogardens. I have 2 harvests and one sprout. I have them all hooked up to one water reservoir that keeps the water level where it needs to be.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Thanks so much! What are your favourite things to grow?

[@rosemarie2183]

thank you. I had taken my Bounty WIFI apart all the way and wanted to be sure, I put it back together the right way-- this reassured me.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Awesome Rosemarie! I'm so glad my video was helpful! Now that your garden is all clean what are you planning to grow next?

[@Canadian-Bacon2]

Thank you for the awesome information! This is our first time cleaning the garden after a successful growth of lettuce, peppers and cherry tomatoes. Looking forward to fresh organic lettuce throughout the upcoming winter months.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wendynemanic4071]

I love this video! I recently got an aero garden and am trying to learn all I can🤗! You're hilarious..... I am never going to let it get like this again (but I probably will)...🤣

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Wendy! Yeah…it 100% will…I’ve made that same promise multiple times 😂 What AeroGarden did you get? What are you most excited to grow?

[@abitcrazy22]

Great video, and thank you for sharing all the good, the bad and the ugly of the Aerogarden! I have only the table top models (3) and I must confess, I have never sterilized them. I use an old toothbrush to clean all the little channels in the top sections, and Dawn dishwashing liquid for the soap to clean. I have never had any problems with this, nor have I gotten sick from my wonderful lettuce produce I have grown. I have even transferred some bell pepper plants that got too bid to be under the light and got burnt, and while the plants really protested, they have continued to live in the dirt outside (but they don't like it). Hydroponic (and aquaponic gardening) is the way to go!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Awesome Arlene! I have heard that the soap can leave a residue but if it's working for you then carry on! There is WAY too much telling people the right vs wrong way to do things and it really bugs me! I have always just used either the bleach or vinegar methods. Have you tried aquaponics? I have a little aquaponic fish tank I will be setting up soon (video to follow). I love the idea of pairing the two...

[@arlenebaker7200]

@@The_IndoorGardener I DID have an aquaponics system when I had a house; I had an IBC tank, and built the plumbing and bell siphon and had it for quite a while, but ended up giving it when sold the house. I love the idea and the concept, and it works. Lucky you to have such a nice yard!

[@tppbila2155]

Something that has eluded me so far is how to get the pump to run continuously for 5-30 minutes during the cleaning process. I end up resetting and restarting every couple minutes. Is there a setting somewhere to bypass the timed operation of the pump?

[@r.perkins2103]

Clean with a non-corrosive brewing cleaner no rinse type. Oxy type cleaners will also leave no residue. Rinse in shower first then tackle the difficult spots. It would be a nice design if the pump was just clipped in, and the top section easier to take apart.

[@BonafideGrower]

Awesome thanks, I've been using my kitchen sink sprayer and it knocks all the bits out of the crannies, also I used peroxide water...I spray it really good and rinse and its good to go.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Nice! I don't have a kitchen sink sprayer so I have to resort to elbow grease. But that's definitely something to keep in mind when I finally get around to renovating my gross kitchen!

[@GrowingDreams]

I know you said just warm water. My unit gets a good bit of nutrient sediment in the side and I find citric acid is very helpful for removing that without scrubbing. I just make sure I since it well and it doesn’t seem to have caused any issues.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

HI Laura, Thanks for the tip! I will do some digging on that.

[@emmaskidmore2314]

This was so helpful- I followed it all step by step. Question regarding the last step (either the bleach or vinegar wash & rinse)- should I have the sponge filter sitting in it's home near the pump for this or should I put it in after all the rinsing is complete? Thank you!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Emma, I would have it in place so that it gets the benefit of the cleaning, otherwise it could cause issues. If it's looking a bit old then you may just want to replace it in which case the new one can just be added at the end when you add fresh water. Hope that helps! Kir

[@serenawagner1835]

I am growing herbs, lettuce, and tomatoes. Those I seem to do good with. Peppers I have done too, but they are always small and not making much, so I stopped trying. The things I have tried and did not work out for me were beans, squash, and broccoli.

[@tms83226]

After seeing this, I feel sooo much better about my Aerogarden!😂😂😂

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Glad I could help 😂

[@Amarand]

Thank you so much for this video! Also, fun braid!

[@Amarand]

I finally got around to doing this, and this video helped a ton. One of the benefits of your video is that this is probably a "worst case" scenario. Made me feel more confident about taking things apart - removing the pump and the water level tube. I can't believe how many roots got in everywhere!

[@puretoronto]

Damn you let that Aerogarden get dirty… bad girl, go to my room 😛

[@jennoonan4572]

Another great video - Thank you so much for creating and sharing this! I may have missed this but I want to make sure before I proceed. You mentioned the ratio for water to vinegar is 1 to 1. This is for distilled / cleaning vinegar correct? I saw you use Allen's cleaning vinegar in your Rise Garden video which I think is around 10%? I don't have distilled, just regular vinegar so I'm guessing it will be better to use less water (i.e. a 0.5 to 1 ratio as the vinegar is less concentrated (guessing

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hey Jen, you can still do 1:1. The cleaning vinegar is stronger but that is just what I always have on hand as I make my own cleaning products sometimes. So technically I am doing it stronger than “the usual”. So you should be good! Thanks for watching and for your support! Love seeing your comments and questions!

[@stephsmemo]

Thanks for this video! I lost the 2 screws :( for the pump cover. Do you think it will be ok without? It says in the grow anything kit to let the pump go for 5 minutes with the bleach. Not 30 - where do you get 30 minutes from? Also how do I start the pump manually? I plugged mine in and it didn’t start so I don’t know how to make it run for 5 or 30 minutes. Thanks fellow Canadian! 😀

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Stephs, That's just what I found works for me, but if you are more comfortable going with 5 minutes then that's what you should do :). You should be able to go into the menu on the digital panel and click "More options", then choose "Pump" and you can test it which will make sure it works and run it for 1 minute. But I have found that whenever I fill it back up and turn it on, the pump always seems to come right on. Hope that helps. Kir

[@norbuyangzom8091]

Great 👍 lady, great job and good info. Thanks 😊

[@sn232]

Do you think you have to fill the basins to the max line in order to sterilize? Wouldn't it work just as well if you filled them 1/2 full? Thank you for the THOROUGH video, I would like to suggest that next time you can dump the water and roots right into the compost bin :)

[@The_IndoorGardener]

I had mentioned about adding it to the compost while I was filming but the video was getting long so I edited it out. Great point though, just about everything in this house ends up in the compost or Bokashi!

[@khonthainaidc]

You are so funny and informative 😂

[@summershockley3914]

So helpful! Thank you! I'm cleaning out my 9-pod today. Question - on the white top plate, can we use rubbing alcohol with cotton balls to clean off any markings or stains to make it pristine looking again?

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Summer, I haven't tried that and honestly I don't worry too much about how it looks. When the plants are big they cover most of the top anyway! How long have you had your Aerogarden? What are you growing?

[@11AriseAndShine11]

I would try using lemon to bleach the stains on top, Summer. It's natural and not caustic and definitely food grade!

[@sunshine_and_flowers]

I normally hose my AeroGarden outside and then fill the bath tub with water and a little bleach and soak it, of course removing the pump first.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

That’s a great way to do it!

[@arizonahd]

Do you clean during a harvest at all? Like take the plants out temporarily and then refresh the water? If so, how often?

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Jonathan, Some people like to give it a rinse and clean out the water once a month. Personally, I only change the water and clean after a harvest. Doing a full water change means you have to reset all the nutrient levels and I worry about the plants adjusting. I bought two AeroGarden harvests to use for experiments, so I will add the water change to my list! Thanks for the video idea :)

[@tdbatestx1]

an old tooth brush would be a handy tool for cleaning those crevases.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

For sure a toothbrush would work too, I'm just partial to the pipe-cleaner ;)

[@juddvance7721]

Instead of forcing the plate over the pump stem, why not place the plate on the pump and then add the stem. You only need one hand to do that. Maybe yours doesn't do that. I have a different Aerogarden model. Great video. Very helpful. Thanks so much!

[@LorisCrochetCorner]

I clean mine after harvesting never quite looked as bad as youre's

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Mine was a special case of neglect ;) It was a couple of harvests before I cleaned it. I pinkie swear that I am better now

[@TheLordsBlood]

Dang Kiri that aerogarden was it's own living ecosystem

[@The_IndoorGardener]

I know right 😂

[@amelvin32]

Is it necessary to clean the Aero garden while the plants are growing? Could you get by with just cleaning after a growth cycle, and just before you start off an new batch of seeds? Reason why I ask, is because even if it does look (gross), isn't the dirty stuff in the water beneficial to the plants?

[@dseifert]

That looked like a head you pulled out of there

[@The_IndoorGardener]

It scared me too LOL

[@sarahleebarlow]

Hello. I have a silly question. Should you clean your system when you first get it? I'm waiting on my Aerogarden to come, and wanted to see if I should. Thanks!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Sarah…honestly I don’t as I’m always too damn excited when I get a new system. 😂 But there is never any harm to give it a rinse out with warm water…note to self I should do that next time. What are you most excited to grow?

[@sarahleebarlow]

@@The_IndoorGardener lol!! I know. It is so exciting!! I'm super excited for some greens, salad, and jalapenos 🤤

[@The_IndoorGardener]

@@sarahleebarlow Which system did you get?

[@Lowcountryyankee]

Could you use the dumped roots and water in the compost?

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi Katherine, I definitely put the old roots in the compost/worm bin, up to this point I have just dumped the water down the drain. I’ll do some digging…

[@betteblondin8473]

which way does the blue float go into the depth measure? Magnet up or down

[@The_IndoorGardener]

What model do you have? Mine says up on one end and it’s white…so not sure for your one

[@betteblondin8473]

@@The_IndoorGardener Well, it is the 6 hole basic one... It seems to working ok now - I put it in with the magnet up... after I had completely cleaned it. I really loved your video as it was super helpful in many ways. My model is a little smaller... but most of what you talked about was very very helpful! So thanks. I will try to keep your video handy!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

@@betteblondin8473 Glad you got it sorted and that you found the video helpful! 😃

[@dylantobak]

I have a Harvest and a Bounty and set them up a month ago. How often should I clean them? After a few harvests? Every couple months or are there other factors?

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Hi! I try and do a big clean after I basically clear out the unit after a harvest. There are other people that change out the water each month and have a much more regular cleaning schedule. Then there are other times, like in the video where I left it waaaaay too long. For my own units I try and clean them once every three months, but that’s just me. If there is an algae bloom then I would most likely clean it then. Like anything gardening (indoor or outdoor) it’s one of those “it depends” kind of answers, where each person needs to determine what is right for them and their gardens. Hope that helps!

[@dylantobak]

Great thank you! I'm new to gardening (wanted to have an outdoor one but I really only get 3-4 hours of good light. My friend got a harvest and when I saw his I decided to try it out and I love watching them grow

[@The_IndoorGardener]

@@dylantobak Just warning you…it’s suuuuper addictive in a totally good way! Can’t wait to hear how you grow!!! If you have any questions let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them. Also if you have any videos you’d like to see let me know!

[@dylantobak]

@@The_IndoorGardener I'm excited! I've had some basil and it tastes wonderful. I've got salad greens and peppers going as well so I'm excited for my first salad :)

[@The_IndoorGardener]

@@dylantobak Basil grows amazing hydroponically!!! I have had leaves bigger than my hand! Pepper and tomatoes take longer to ripen hydroponically so just be patient, it’s worth it!

[@janicewebber5584]

Serious neglect. Ugh! I got a little one that's in my face everyday. Love me some gourmet lettuces!👍

[@rickfisher4866]

Mine has nutrients build up only after a bit and it just doesn't come off

[@libertykatrkm]

Thanks

[@wmignon]

OMG thanks for this!!!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Glad you found this helpful! If you have any questions just let me know :)

[@laurac5451]

Thanks wash cloth looks easier than sponge or scrubber

[@The_IndoorGardener]

I think so too! I feel like it gets into the nooks and crannies a bit better too.

[@blaynesplantvlog7117]

1:04 ... OH MY! That is a mess lol!!

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Maybe just a little :)

[@Thehouseoftatum]

How does it get like this it looks burnt

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

Love it..

[@leenakoivuniemi498]

Hey, you don't use sponge next pump??

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Funny enough I didn’t even realize it was missing until someone else commented on that as well! I have some on order from amazon so that I can put one back in. I must have lost it in a previous cleaning!!!

[@arlenemckenna4661]

@@The_IndoorGardener dollar tree has 3 pack of scrubbies that are like the filter- sponge. Just cut to size. Waaaay cheaper, so I discard rather than attempt to clean.

[@The_IndoorGardener]

@@arlenemckenna4661 Awesome tip! I’ll have to check that out

[@Sunflower_327]

I am here a year later after I said I’d never neglect the aerogarden again. Oops

[@The_IndoorGardener]

Amazing! I am literally cleaning all my systems, well past when I said I would. It always feels amazing to see them all shiny and clean!

[@5houndsofmine722]

Try a toothbrush

[@oksanaromaniv7102]

you have such beautiful eyes!

[@bikinggal1]

wow. Not sure how you can let anything get like this. Rather shocking

[@tinahares2729]

shame on you