Cleaning Your Polytunnel

It's best to clean your polytunnel at least once a year. Over the winter months algae can build up on polytunnel plastic so it's a good idea to clean and organise your polytunnel now before the start of the growing season. Cleaning your polytunnel will not only prolong it's life, it will also reduce the incidence of disease in your growing space. Removing the build up of algae will also ensure your plants get all the light they need to grow.

How to Clean Your Polytunnel

First thing you should do is clear out any weeds or dead plants left over from the year before. Brush out dust and debris from pathways and clean down any shelves or propagation benches.

If there are any repairs to be done, do these first to avoid making rips or tears any bigger. You can repair using Tunnel Repair Tape. Make sure the area around the tear (inside and outside) is clean and dry before patching with the tape, this will ensure proper adhesion.

Cleaning The Plastic

This is best done on a nice soft day so that the algae is already a bit lose. Starting early in the day is also important as this gives the polytunnel time to dry.

The inside can be cleaned with a bucket of water and a soft cloth or sponge. You can add a gentle, ecologically friendly soap to the water, just make sure it's safe for use around the plants. Leave the doors open to allow the space to dry and also prevent the humidity from rising too much inside the polytunnel.

Spray the outside of the polytunnel first with water using a hose with jet attachment, this will start to loosen any dirt or algae. Next clean the sides using a long handled soft brush and hose. To clean the top of the tunnel you can soak an old sheet in warm soapy water and throw it over the tunnel – then with a friend work your way down the tunnel, pulling the sheet back and forth between you. Take care you are not to rough so you don't cause any damage to the plastic.

Now is also a good time to clean any pots or trays. Do this with a stiff brush and some warm soapy water. Rinse with hose and leave outside to dry.

Cleaning and organising your polytunnel and growing space is a very satisfying way to begin the growing season. Now you can start fresh and give your crops the best chance possible.

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