Written by R.J. Sorensen for the A-To-Z Horoscope Guide
“We love our garden gnomes, but they do get rather dirty during the gardening season. How can I clean them?”
Many gardeners have asked this question over the years and there is no one right way to clean them. Some people recommend using a hose to spray them off, while others say that gentle soap and water works best. If you choose to use soap, make sure it is all natural and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals—you don’t want to damage your garden gnomes!
Let’s take a look step-by-step at how best to clean a gnome.
1) The first thing you need to do is make sure your garden gnomes are actually dirty. If they only look dusty, try dusting them off with a dry cloth instead of washing them.
2) If the fine details on your gnomes’ faces are obscured by dirt or grime, use mild soap and water to gently wipe away the gunk. Make sure you use a soft bristled brush to clean cracks and crevices in the gnomes’ costumes.
3) If your gnome(s) are made of resin, they can be gently scrubbed with all-purpose soap, but you should never submerge them in water to wash away dirt or soap residue.
4) For the gnomes that are made of ceramic or porcelain, use a soft bristle brush and clean water to remove any dirt. Avoid using soaps or chemicals because they might damage the surface of your gnome(s).
5) Little creatures around your garden will also appreciate being given a bath from time-to-time. Make sure to thoroughly rinse any soaps or chemicals off the gnomes before placing them back in your yard.
“I like my garden gnome clean and shiny, but I don’t like spending a lot of time working to clean him, nor do I want to end up with cracked or damaged gnomes. What’s the best way to clean him?”
The best way to clean your garden gnomes is the easiest way! Regular maintenance is all it takes. Sweep them off occasionally, or use a hose with a gentle spray to remove dust and debris. A soft cloth will wipe away any visible dust. Remember that gnomes are creatures of fantasy, so if they start looking a little filthy, no matter. That’s kinda how they’re supposed to look anyway!
“I don’t want to clean my garden gnome with chemicals or soap at all—is there anything else I can use?”
Some people recommend using denture cleaning tablets to remove stains and grime from your garden gnomes. The tablets contain citric acid which is safe and non-toxic, and they’re powerful enough to remove stains without damaging the surface of your gnome. The tablets should be dissolved in water before being applied to your garden ornaments. Be sure to rinse away any remaining residue once you’re done cleaning!
“I’m not much of a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to cleaning my garden gnome. Any suggestions?”
Hire a gardener or a maid who can clean your gnomes for you! You can even give them a bonus in their next paycheck if they clean your gnomes while you’re on vacation—just make sure to ask about any chemicals they might use when cleaning!
“How do I protect my garden gnome from damage during the cleaning process?”
Cleaning is one of the most important parts of owning a garden gnome. The best cleaning supplies are soft brushes—not steel wool, not harsh chemicals, and certainly not toothbrushes. If you need to use soaps or chemical cleaners on your gnome, make sure they are all-natural and safe for the surface of your garden friend.
If you choose to clean your garden gnomes outside, be very careful not to drop them or scratch them against the ground. If you need to, place a soft towel on the ground and set your gnome(s) down gently.
“I decided to just let my garden gnomes stay dirty because I’m afraid that if I clean one, all of my other gnomes might get jealous—”
You’re probably just delaying your inevitable cleaning by making up excuses. If you want to have clean gnomes, who cares if the others are jealous? Do what makes YOU happy!
“I don’t have time for this right now, but I need my gnomes to look nice for an upcoming event.”
That’s alright—just get them professionally cleaned! It’s not that expensive, and it’ll save you a lot of time. You can also purchase garden gnome cleaning kits online that come with all the supplies you need to properly clean your gnomes at home.
“I’ve tried everything to make my garden gnome clean but he still looks like crap—what am I doing wrong?”
Your gnomes will always look like crap because they’re supposed to look like crap! They’re garden gnomes, not show ponies. If you want your outdoor ornaments to be pristine and pretty looking all the time, then get a plastic lawn flamingo—they don’t rot in the rain, and they never get dirty!
“Okay, just checking. Thanks for the info!”
You’re very welcome! No matter how you choose to clean your garden gnomes, just remember that all of our friends are not created equal—some can be washed with soap and water while others should only be dusted off. Ask us your gnome cleaning questions in the comments section below, or share your favorite gnome cleaning hacks with us on Facebook!
Comments:
Comment posted by Nanaea, 12/09/2015 at 9:32am (UTC) :
I read this article when it showed up on my facebook page. I knew about the hose down thing but never thought to use denture tablets! What a great idea. Will definitely be trying it out soon.
Comment posted by Joleena, 12/09/2015 at 10:34am (UTC) :
I’ve tried everything to make my garden gnome clean but he still looks awful—what am I doing wrong?
Comment posted by Nanny Hamsterdam, 9/15/2016 at 6:43pm (UTC) :
My hose is kaput! I live in the country so there are no other options. Any other ideas? Reply here please. Thank you
Reply from Joana, 9/19/2016 at 7:28pm (UTC) :
Hello Nanny, Unfortunately we cannot help you contact a nearby garden gnome repairman. They are very hard to find, and often don’t pick up their phones because they’re so busy all the time! Reply on my wall if you find a repairman, please!
Reply posted by Nanny Hamsterdam, 9/20/2016 at 7:55am (UTC) :
I will! Thank you.
Comment posted by Roxy, 10/09/2016 at 5:13pm (UTC) :
This website is very helpful and I love the jokes you put in!
Reply posted by Joana, 10/09/2016 at 7:57pm (UTC) :
Hi Roxy, Thank you so much for visiting this site and leaving such a nice comment! It’s always great to hear from people who find our articles helpful!
Comment posted by Jason, 5/05/2017 at 11:16am (UTC) :
this is misinformation. Gnomes cannot be hosed down. I know. Reply here please. Thank you
Reply from Joana, 5/15/2017 at 9:48am (UTC) :
Hello Jason, It’s a good idea to always try a little test spot before cleaning your gnome in any way or using any product on its surface. There are so many types of materials, and we cannot test them all! We apologize if you were misled by our article. Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jason, 5/16/2017 at 6:54am (UTC) :
the surface is cement. I know. Will definitely get a professional to do it. Thank you
Reply from Joana, 5/16/2017 at 9:15am (UTC) :
Hello Jason, We apologize again if our article led you to believe that garden gnomes can be hosed down! As we state in the article, some types of garden gnomes are not water-safe and may erode when exposed to water. Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jason, 5/17/2017 at 7:57am (UTC) :
Joana, I’ve read the whole article and watched both videos several times. this is misinformation plain and simple. It’s not a question of whether I can afford to hire someone.
Reply from Joana, 5/18/2017 at 9:25am (UTC) :
Hello Jason, We are aware that some garden gnomes are water-safe and others are not. Our article states this fact. Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jason, 5/18/2017 at 7:13pm (UTC) :
I want the post changed to say that a hose is a bad idea. This is misinformation plain and simple. It’s not a question of whether I can afford to hire someone. It can’t be that hard to change it?
Reply from Joana, 5/19/2017 at 9:28am (UTC) :
Hello Jason, We understand your concerns and would also like to be able to help you out. Unfortunately we cannot change the article or its comments because this is how it appears on multiple other websites. This is out of our control, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jason, 5/20/2017 at 7:59pm (UTC) :
I want the post changed to say that hosing garden gnomes is a bad idea
Reply from Joana, 5/20/2017 at 9:30am (UTC) :
Hello Jason, again unfortunately we can’t. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jason, 5/21/2017 at 7:19am (UTC) :
Joana, If you want to help, please get this person to give me a refund. Don’t want the garden gnome. Want my money back
Reply from Joana, 5/21/2017 at 9:32am (UTC) :
Hello Jason, What are you talking about? We can’t help you with your refund. We don’t even sell gnomes ourselves! Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jason, 5/22/2017 at 7:49am (UTC) :
For crying out loud
Comment posted by Jett, 6/06/2018 at 8:09pm (UTC) :
I’ve had my gnome for a year and it’s been beautiful. I just got down from washing her when she was in the garden when it rainned, and now one of her hands have come off!!!
Reply from Joana, 6/07/2018 at 9:33am (UTC) :
Hello Jett, That’s terrible! Reply on my wall if you have any further questions or concerns.
Reply posted by Jett, 6/07/2018 at 10:02am (UTC) :
How do I get a new hand? Should I try to glue it back on?
Reply from Jason, 6/07/2018 at 10:18am (UTC) :
many gnomes are not water safe. This article mislead me into thinking that a hose was okay to use. Now, as a result I have no gnome at all. they need to change the article
Leave a Comment