Silk flowers, and other types of artificial flowers, can enhance the look of a room. As is the case with other accessories, silk flowers need to be cleaned from time to time to keep them beautiful and with bright colors. It is a job that takes little time, to the point that it can be considered an ideal weekend activity.
Steps
Step 1. Identify the materials of the various elements that make up the silk flowers
Many of these flowers include a combination of silk flowers, plastic stems, and sometimes even velvet or polyester leaves. There are commercial products for cleaning artificial plants which, however, can be too aggressive for silk flowers. Using cleaning products commonly found in the home can have the advantage of not discolouring the colors or fraying the flowers along the edges.
Step 2. Start with a quick dusting
Dusting each of the silk flower elements with a duvet may be fine when the flower arrangement has been recently cleaned and there is only a slight build-up of dust. To maximize the benefits of dusting the flowers, hold the composition at an angle with one hand while you pass the duvet with the other. By doing so, the dust particles will fall to the ground instead of settling deeper into the composition.
Step 3. Use a can of compressed air
Make sure you spray away, starting at the stem and not bottom-up in the bouquet. Place the nozzle on the petal where it starts from the stem and spray lightly. This way you should be able to clean the petal without damaging it.
Step 4. Consider soaking the flowers in salt
If the dust layer is considerable, remove the elements from the composition and place them in a paper bag with 2 cups of table salt. Fold the opening of the bag to seal it, then shake it vigorously. The salt will remove dust from the flowers and leaves with relative ease.
Step 5. Spray the flowers
A particularly stubborn layer of powder may require the use of a liquid to clean each element of the composition. Mix equal parts of hot water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then lightly spray the liquid onto each flower. Dry immediately with a clean cloth to get a good result.
Step 6. Soak the flowers in water
Fill the sink with warm water, adding a little liquid dish soap. Carefully dip the flowers into the water, allowing dirt and dust to be removed. Then pat the flowers with a cloth to remove excess water and then let them dry completely in the fresh air.
Step 7. Let the flowers dry in the open air
Before reassembling the flower arrangement, place each element on a cloth and let it dry away from direct contact with sunlight. This will reduce the chance of the flowers fading and help them keep their colors alive for years.
Advice
- Use lukewarm water to soak the flowers. Water that is too hot can dissolve any adhesives used for the composition of the flower.
- Always dry the flowers by dabbing excess water and leaving them in the fresh air rather than rubbing them. n this way you will minimize damage and allow the flowers to retain their original appearance.
