Artificial flower bouquets are beautiful, practical and a godsend for allergy-sufferers – until they become covered in dust. Once dirty, they can quickly make a room look dated and unclean. And, while they don’t require the care and specific living conditions of a real live plant, they still need a regular cleaning routine to look their best. Here are some tips to clean your silk, paper and fabric flowers:
Resuscitate your Artificial Blooms
Flowers that are dusted regularly will keep their wow-factor much longer than those that are neglected. Potted arrangements have limitations; for those, a feather duster is ideal. Go flower by flower, and sweep back and forth with a quick light touch. This motion will free dust, flies and other debris. A microfibre cloth and a hair dryer set to low heat can also do the job.
PRO TIP: Don’t forget to wipe down the flower pot or vase.
The Fake Flower Shake
To give your artificial flowers a deeper clean, reach for a bag of salt. Simply place one flower stem in a plastic bag with two tablespoons of salt. Kosher salt or rock salt works best, as it is coarser. Gently shake the bag for about a minute. Repeat until all the stems are done. The grains of salt will gently loosen dust and grime, leaving flowers clean and dust free.
PRO TIP: Adding fresh water to glass vases makes the arrangement look real!
Faux Flower Refreshments
Of course, if your silk or fabric flowers come in contact with some accidental splatter, you will need to kick it up a notch. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. To avoid possible colour running between flowers, or fraying, test a small area before applying to the whole bouquet. Mist the flowers very lightly and allow them to air dry. Be sure to place a towel under the flowers to absorb any drips.
PRO TIP: Artificial flowers can look wilted over time. Periodically, fluff them up by separating the petals one by one.
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