How to Clean a LECHUZA CUBICO 30 Planter

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Decide whether the plant needs to come out

For dust, fingerprints, or splashes on the outside, leave the planted liner in place and wipe only the exterior. A little dirt on the shell does not justify disturbing established roots. For a move indoors, cleaning the outer shell's interior, or washing an empty liner before replanting, arrange a separate work area first. Lifting a planted liner out of the shell does not expose its reservoir for scrubbing. Compare the components with the official CUBICO 30 assembly sheet: the liner, supports, separator, filling shaft, and indicator have specific positions. Photograph your assembled planter so small parts and support rods do not get lost among soil and cleaning cloths.

Step 2: Remove excess water before moving the planter

Do not tilt a heavy planted container over a sink while trying to hold the plant upright. Where accessible, withdraw excess reservoir water through the filling shaft with a suitable hand pump and catch it in a separate container. LECHUZA describes this use for its reservoir hand pump. Removing water reduces the amount that can spill when the liner is lifted, but it does not make a large plant lightweight. Work with adequate support for the full planted liner. Keep the surrounding floor protected and do not use the decorative rim or indicator as lifting handles.

Step 3: Lift the planted liner onto a stable tray

Use the liner's intended handles and keep it upright. Set it on a tray that supports its base and catches drips. If roots or settled material prevent easy separation, stop and assess the obstruction instead of pulling the plant by its stem. Leave the plant, roots, and growing medium together for a routine reservoir clean. The separating bottom and reservoir remain inside the liner. To wash beneath that separator, first remove the plant and growing medium during an appropriate repotting session; do not pry the separator out while it supports a planted root ball. If roots have grown through it, get suitable plant-care help instead of tearing them free. Until the liner is empty, limit cleaning to accessible surfaces away from roots.

Step 4: Wash accessible empty surfaces gently

For an empty-liner clean, remove the loose substrate, indicator, and separating bottom in the order shown by the assembly sheet. Keep track of the filling-shaft parts. Remove sediment from the now-accessible reservoir at the bottom of the liner; wipe dirt from the separate outer shell as needed. LECHUZA specifies a soft cloth and mild detergent for its planters. Use a small amount, wipe the residue away, and rinse the cleaned empty surfaces with fresh water until no soap remains. Do not put detergent into a liner that still contains the plant or growing medium. For the finished exterior, avoid sharp implements, gritty pads, and aggressive cleaners; a scuffed glossy finish is damage, not something another cleaning pass will remove. This guide does not prescribe bleach, vinegar, acid descaler, or dishwasher treatment for the assembled irrigation components.

Step 5: Check the filling shaft and indicator without forcing them

Wipe accessible deposits from the filling opening and the outside of the indicator. During an empty-pot clean, use the diagram if the indicator must be taken apart; do not tug on its thin rod or add oil to free a stuck reading. Rinse removable loose debris with clean water and refit the parts in their original order. Confirm that the indicator can respond normally when reservoir water is added during reassembly. An indicator stuck at one position does not prove the reservoir is full or empty. If it remains unreliable, replace the correct part rather than continuing to water from that reading.

Step 6: Restore the correct indoor or outdoor drainage setup

The CUBICO 30 diagram shows drainage screws in both the outer planter and the liner. For indoor use, restore the closures and hand-tighten them as directed; check their condition before putting the planter on a vulnerable floor. For outdoor use, the specified screws are removed so excess rainwater can escape. Do not assume every LECHUZA product has this same arrangement: models without a drain opening have different placement limits. Refit the four supporting rods and liner securely. During empty-liner reassembly, restore the separating bottom, filling shaft, and indicator before adding substrate and replanting. A clean container with a missing or incorrectly fitted closure can still leak, and washing will not correct a damaged screw or sealing surface.

Step 7: Rinse fully and return to the plant's watering routine

Before replanting a washed liner, rinse every cleaned empty surface with fresh water until no detergent remains, drain it, and restore the irrigation parts. Wipe the exterior dry and return the liner to the shell without trapping cloths or debris underneath. Resume watering according to the plant's condition and LECHUZA's instructions; cleaning is not a reason to automatically fill to maximum. If the plant was actually repotted, its roots may need the establishment period described by LECHUZA before relying on reservoir watering. Persistent odor associated with decaying roots or unhealthy growth is a plant-care problem as well as a housekeeping issue. Do not keep adding detergent or fragrance to conceal it.