To keep your plants thriving and your system working efficiently, regular cleaning is essential. The Vext app reminds you when it’s time to clean, but here’s a full overview of what each cleaning cycle includes.

All cleaning should be done with non-toxic, food-safe solutions, since your plants absorb water directly from the system. Use a diluted white vinegar solution or mild dish soap—both are safe and effective.

To keep your plants healthy and your Vext system performing efficiently, regular cleaning is essential. There are two types of maintenance:

• Quick Clean – a light clean focused on the water tank.

• Fresh Start – a full deep clean that resets the entire growing environment.

You’ll receive reminders directly in the Vext app when each cleaning is due.

• First Quick Clean: After 3 months of growing

• First Fresh Start: 3 months after your first quick clean (i.e., at 6 months)

• After that: Repeat a Quick Clean every 6 months, and a Fresh Start every 6 months, alternating between them.

This alternating cycle keeps your system clean without disrupting plant growth.

Do a quick clean after 3 months of growing, and then every 6-months. A quick clean helps prevent nutrient buildup and keeps your water clean between deep cleans.

What You’ll Do:

1. Empty the water tank completely using a suitable container.

2. Wipe the inside of the empty tank with a cloth dampened in a mild dish soap solution.

3. Remove any visible buildup, especially around the waterline or corners.

4. Dry the tank completely with a dry cloth or paper towel.

5. Refill the tank with fresh water.

6. In the app, confirm the cleaning by tapping “Did the quick clean”, which resets the nutrient tracking.

A Fresh Start is a deeper clean that resets the full growing environment, including the root zone and fogger unit.

1. Prune or harvest ¼ of the canopy two days before cleaning.

   • Leafy greens & soft herbs: Remove about 1 in 4 mature leaves.

   • Fruiting crops: Harvest fully ripe fruits and remove yellow or crowded foliage.

   • Woody herbs: Trim 25% of soft growth.

   • Cucurbits: Only remove diseased leaves.

2. Wait 2 days to allow the plant to recover from pruning.

3. Empty the water tank.

4. Clean the water tank with a cloth and a 3% peroxide solution or mild dish soap.

5. Remove two top corner pod holders with plants still inside. Some roots will come with them—that’s fine.

6. Remove the plant wall by gripping the topmost pod holes and pulling out one side at a time.

7. Clean the plant wall frame and the back wall of any root mass or dirt. Rinse with warm water in the shower if needed.

8. Remove the upper reservoir (fogger unit):

   • Unscrew the two center screws on top of the cabinet.

   • Have someone support the unit as you remove it, to avoid dropping it. And gently handle it, not to spill water.

9. Wipe the inside of the upper reservoir and the fogger discs with a damp cloth and mild soap.

10. Trim the longest roots (about 10–15%) to keep the root zone open and mist accessible.

11. Put the plant wall and Vext pods back in their place.

12. Refill the tank with fresh water and restart the system.

• 3 months: First Quick Clean

• 6 months: First Fresh Start

• Ongoing: Alternate between Quick Clean and Fresh Start every 3 months

You’ll be notified in the app when it’s time, and guided through each step.

[Picture coming soon of plant wall removal]