How to Clean Silk Flowers, Artificial Plants and Trees Like a Pro
Are you thinking about decorating your home with artificial plants but unsure of how to clean silk flowers? If so, you're not alone. Silk flowers, silk trees, and other artificial plants are great solutions for busy schedules or plant allergy sufferers. And, while it is much easier to liven up our homes with artificial plants, they're still prone to their own set of problems, including collecting dust and stains. That's why it's good to know how to clean artificial plants, trees, and flowers properly.
Certain areas in your house tend to be dustier and attract grime faster than others. For instance, the top shelf of a bookcase is almost always layered with dust. So, if you plan on decorating high shelves with faux blooms, you'll need to invest in some silk plant cleaner and dust regularly.
When it comes to artificial plant maintenance, be prepared to dust, remove dirt, and de-stain on a regular basis. In this article, you'll discover some advice and techniques for cleaning silk flowers, trees, and plants so you can keep your home looking fantastic.
How to Clean Silk Flowers & Flower Arrangements
Due to their dyes, the process for cleaning artificial flowers requires a much different approach than cleaning artificial plants. Fortunately, you can effectively clean your flowers with homemade silk flower cleaner and other homemade methods.
This is the best way to clean silk flowers:
- Shake Away the Dust
- What You Need: ½ cup of cornmeal or table salt, a plastic or brown bag.
- How To Do It: Pop your silk flowers into the bag with your choice of cornmeal or salt. This is your DIY dust-buster! Gently shake the bag. The cornmeal or salt acts like tiny scrubbers, whisking away dust and grime.
- Dust Off the Extras
- After the Shake: Take your flowers outside and give them a good once-over with a feather duster. This will get rid of any leftover cornmeal or salt.
- The Cool Blow-Dry
- Final Touch: Use your hairdryer on a cool setting to blow away any remaining bits. This also perks up the flowers, making them look fresh and lively!
- Stain Removal Magic
- What You Need: White vinegar, water, a spray bottle.
- Spot Test First: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Test it on a small, hidden part of the flower. If the color stays put, you're good to go.
- Application: Spray lightly on any stains, then dab gently with a soft, dry towel.
- Lemon Juice Revival
- Brighten with Lemon: Lemon juice isn't just for lemonade! Add some to a spray bottle and spritz on dirty areas.
- Clean & Rinse: The citric acid helps break down dirt. Gently rub it off with a cloth, rinse in cool water, and let your flowers dry on a towel.
Voilà! Your silk flowers are now as good as new, ready to brighten your room with their enduring charm.
Cleaning Silk Flowers with Yellow Stains
Old silk flowers can start to look rough and develop yellow stains. You can go the route of purchasing silk flower cleaner to restore your flowers, but there are some home remedies that can also do the trick. Here's how to clean artificial flowers with yellow stains effectively at home:
- Take your silk flowers outside and blow the dust off of them with compressed air or a hairdryer. If you're using a hairdryer, keep it on a setting with no heat.
- Add two cups of salt or dry white rice to a zipper bag and place the silk flowers into the bag facing downward. Zip the bag or grasp around the stems at the top of the bag and shake for 30 seconds. Then shake the remaining salt or rice off of your flowers.
- Next, spray the 50/50 white vinegar and water silk flower cleaner on your flowers and let the flowers rest for 15 minutes.
- Then, fill your laundry sink with lukewarm water and add two teaspoons of unscented dishwashing liquid. Swish the flowers around until the stains emerge, rinse with cool water, and leave the flowers to dry on paper towels.
- If the silk flowers have become wrinkled after drying, you can boil a pot of water and hold the flowers over the steam to smooth out the wrinkles.
Other Methods for Removing Stains
If you're confident that the colors won't run, you can dab a bit of white vinegar or dishwashing liquid on an old toothbrush and gently scrub the stains away.
If your flowers are delicate and you're unsure if they'll be damaged by lukewarm water or natural cleaning ingredients, it's best that you purchase a silk flower cleaner. But, make sure that you read product reviews to choose the appropriate cleaner, preferably one that won't seal in dust.
Tip: White distilled vinegar is effective in removing smoke smells and cigarette odors on artificial plants without leaving behind a vinegar smell.
Tips for Cleaning Artificial Plants and Trees
Whether it's time, accidents at home or a combination of both, your artificial trees and plants will collect dust, stains and grime. But, the good news is that you can make your plants look new again. Here are some tips on how to clean silk plants.
Cleaning Silk Plants With a Feather Duster
In some instances, you will need silk flower or artificial plant cleaners for dirtier plants. For others, all you'll need is a simple feather duster. When cleaning artificial plants, dust at least once a week and start at the top section first while slowly moving towards the bottom of the plant. Another option we suggest is using a paintbrush to gently clean hard-to-reach areas of your silk plants and trees.
How to Clean Silk/Artificial Plants with a Vacuum Cleaner
Cleaning silk plants has never been easier. Did you know that you can clean silk plants with your vacuum cleaner?
You can use a mini vacuum cleaner head with a small brush to loosen the dirt and then proceed to clean up the mess. Just remember to exercise caution when using your vacuum cleaner to avoid damaging the artificial plant. And, don't forget to move your plant outside before using compressed air to prevent dust from blowing all over your home.
Cleaning Artificial Plants with a Damp Cloth
Sometimes you can skip the silk plant cleaner and just use a damp cloth to treat your artificial plants and trees. A damp cloth can effectively remove dust, dirt and simple stains. Because hot water can cause colors to run on silk plants, you'll want to use a cloth dipped with cooler water to gently clean each piece of foliage. After cleaning, make sure to wipe the pieces dry with a kitchen towel to remove water stains and prevent the plant from becoming limp due to its exposure to the water.
How to Make Your Own Silk Plant Cleaner
Paintbrushes and feather dusters won't work on silk plants that have been sitting uncleaned for too long. At this point, you'll need to clean them using a mild silk plant cleaner which you can easily make at home.
- Start by mixing white vinegar and water in equal amounts into a spray bottle.
- Spritz the leaves of your silk plant with it. Avoid spraying the flowers as their colors may run when wet. You'll want to test the cleaner's effect and make sure that your plant's colors don't bleed by spraying a tiny amount on a leaf before proceeding any further.
- Once everything appears okay, you can then spray the rest of your plant to clean that stubborn debris.
A Simple Method for Cleaning Silk Trees
If we can offer any more tips on how to clean silk plants and trees, we suggest creating an artificial plant cleaner using 2 oz. of rubbing alcohol and 2 oz. of water to keep your trees in pristine condition.
First, add water to the spray bottle, followed by the rubbing alcohol. After shaking the bottle, spray the solution on a section of leaves and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Clean from the inside and move the cloth out towards the edges until the leaves of your artificial tree are clean.
Find the Finest Silk Flowers and Artificial Plants at Silks Are Forever
Are you ready to spruce up your home with beautiful artificial plants? Silks Are Forever has you covered. Our large selection of silk flowers, trees, and plants will enhance the look of your living room, bedroom, or other areas of your home. Browse our online store to purchase your own silk plants, flowers, and trees; and contact us today if you have any questions. Our friendly staff is dedicated to providing excellent customer service!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean Silk Flowers
Can silk flowers get wet?
Yes, silk flowers can get wet, but it's best to avoid soaking them. Use a gentle mist or a damp cloth for cleaning to prevent water damage.
How do you make silk flowers shine?
To make silk flowers shine, lightly spray them with hairspray, which can also help to dissolve extra dust.
How do you make fake flowers look better?
To enhance the look of fake flowers, arrange them naturally, mix them with real greenery, fluff and shape each petal and leaf, and keep them clean.
How often should you clean silk flowers?
Silk flowers should be cleaned every 1-3 months, depending on their exposure to dust and dirt. Regular cleaning helps maintain their appearance and prolong their lifespan.
Can you wash silk flowers in soapy water?
Yes, you can wash silk flowers in soapy water. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild dish soap. Swish the flowers gently in the water, then rinse with clean water and let them air dry.
Can you clean artificial plants with Windex?
It's not recommended to use Windex on artificial plants, as the chemicals can damage some materials. Stick to mild soapy water or special silk plant cleaners.
Can you spray WD-40 on artificial plants?
Spraying WD-40 on artificial plants is not advisable. It may leave a residue and can degrade the materials. Use appropriate cleaners designed for artificial plants.
How do you fix faded silk flowers?
Fix faded silk flowers by gently coloring them with fabric dye or applying a clear coat, which you can find in most craft stores. Test on a small area first to ensure the desired effect.