Clean Artificial Flowers

Artificial plants can be both beautiful and practical. While they don't require the care that living plants will need, such as watering and fertilizing, they still require regular cleaning to look their best. Whether your flowers are made of silk, metal, or plastic, dusting or washing delicate parts can be intimidating. However, you can learn how to clean artificial flowers effectively.

Steps

Cleaning Silk Flowers

1. Dust your flowers weekly. Move in light back-and-forth motions over the areas where dust commonly accumulates. Weekly dustings will remove a little dust and keep your flowers cleaner between deep cleanings. As an alternative to a feather duster, you could use:
   • A microfiber cloth.
   • A hair dryer set to a low heat.
   • A vacuum cleaner with an old stocking secured over the hose by a rubber band. If possible, set the vacuum cleaner to its lowest setting.
2. Use a silk flower cleaning spray. Mist the flowers lightly. No wiping is required. You can buy the spray at major department stores like Target.
   • Cleaning sprays can be quite effective, but they are generally very expensive.
3. Shake the flowers in a bag of salt. Place the flowers in a plastic resealable bag along with a few spoonfuls of coarse salt. Shake the bag gently for one minute. The grains of salt will act as mild abrasives, gently loosening dust and grime. When you're done, remove the flowers from the bag and shake off the remaining salt.
   • As an alternative to salt, you could use two to three tablespoons of cornmeal. Follow the same directions for the salt method.
4. Spray a mixture of vinegar and water. If you think your flowers can safely withstand a little moisture, fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and distilled vinegar. Mist the flowers very lightly with the mixture and allow them to air dry. You may want to place a towel under the flowers to absorb any drips.
5. Use soap and water. Fill your sink with room temperature water and add a few drops of dish soap. Gently swish each flower around in the water, rubbing lightly to remove any stubborn grime. Immediately take the flower out of the water and blot the entire piece dry with a clean towel.
   • Use caution when drying the flowers, as the towel can loosen individual parts of each flower.
   • Don’t soak your flowers if they’re hand wrapped. Soaking erodes the glue and weakens the floral tape.

Cleaning Plastic Flowers

1. Dust the flowers. Do this weekly to prevent dust particles from building up. Move your duster in gentle, quick back-and-forth motions. Because plastic is more durable than silk, you could use any of the following as alternatives:
   • A feather duster
   • A microfiber cloth.
   • A hair dryer set to a low heat.
   • A can of compressed air.
2. Use lemon juice. Put it in a spray bottle. Spritz the dirty areas of the flowers. The citric acid will help to break down dirt and grime.
   • If the grime is especially stubborn, gently remove it with a cloth or dishwashing gloves. Rinse the flowers in cool water. When finished rinsing, lay the flowers on a towel to dry.
   • Never use hot water, as it can weaken the glue that holds individual flower parts together.
   • Avoid scrubbing, which can damage the flowers.
3. Use glass cleaner. Cleaners with Ammonia D, like Windex, work best. Spray the glass cleaner onto the entirety of each flower. Lay the flowers in the sunlight for 30 minutes. This will help activate the cleaning product and restore the flowers' colors.

Cleaning Metal Flowers

1. Dust weekly. Sweep back and forth to remove particles. Since metal is more durable than plastic or silk, you could also wipe dust particles from the flowers with a hand towel or microfiber cloth.
2. Remove tarnish. Mix two parts distilled white vinegar and one part water. Soak the flowers for about two hours. Remove the flowers from the mixture, and rinse them with tap water. Pat the flowers dry with a towel. Alternatively, you could replace the vinegar and water mixture with:
   • Tomato juice.
   • A mixture of two parts milk and one part water
3. Remove rust. Scrape it off with a wire brush. Then, use a paintbrush to apply commercial rust converter to all affected areas. Alternatively, you could use spray-on rust converter. After the affected area turns black, you can repaint it.
   • Whether you use liquid or spray-on rust converter, never apply it indoors. It gives off toxic fumes. Apply it outside for ventilation.

Tips

• If you can do it safely, dismantle any flower parts that will come apart. This will allow easier access for cleaning.

Things You’ll Need

• Silk flowers
  • Feather duster or microfiber cloth
  • Silk flower cleaning spray
  • Salt or cornmeal
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Water
  • Soap
• Plastic flowers
  • Feather duster, microfiber cloth, compressed air, or hairdryer
  • Lemon juice
  • Glass cleaner
• Metal Flowers
  • Feather duster or microfiber cloth
  • Tomato juice or milk
  • Rust converter

Related Articles

• Clean Silk Flowers

Sources and Citations

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