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Julie, I can only tell you what I do. You probably don't even have this product in the UK - Scrubbing Bubbles. It is widely used here as a bathroom cleaner. I spray the entire plant, wait about 5 minutes, and spray it off with water. It takes off the water spots and calcium deposits. I've never used it with the furry leaves though, only the smooth leaves. My megalaster is going to get the treatment this weekend.
I read somewhere that apple cider vinegar can remove calcium stains on leaves, but I've never tried it myself. Where I live we have very "soft" water so the hoyas don't get much stains.
Name: Laura Gardiner Manitoba, Canada You can't 'un-ring' a bell.
I use rubbing alchohol & a Q-tip to "spot" treat, with a so-so result....
CAUTION: I really badly injured a juvenile DS-70 leaf by applying rubbing alchohol. It started to weep milk from the entire surface of the leaf, and when it finally developed, it was terribly deformed...
"When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other."
- Chinese Proverb
There is a product called Pokon in a spray can we used in our florist. It's made in Sweden I think and many florists use it to shine leaves. I have used it with success on my hoyas as well as most houseplants, but as not on fuzzy leaves. You might try a local florist to see if they carry it.
Donna, I still do use Scrubbing Bubbles. I use it once or twice a year on all of shiny leafed Hoyas. I spray it on and leave it alone for around a minute and shower it off. It has never hurt one of my plants. I use the spray bottle and not the aerosol.
Name: Carol Noel Hawaii (near Hilo) It's all about choices.
The chemical used must be one to dissolve calcium...which, I am told, doesn't really disolve but it does change form when treated with acids. Interesting.
I use Randy's product, "Pokon" too. It's an oil-based spray, but it's safe for houseplants. Made by the Dutch, who know a thing or two about horticulture. It removes hard water stains pretty well, IMHO...
Laura, here is a picture of the bottle that I use. I also use it as a general purpose cleaner in the plant room. I did not come up with using this product on my own. I think I first heard about it from Melanie Myers on DG who might have got it from CB, who might have got it from someone else
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