How to Keep Silk Flowers Clean and Dust Free.

How to Clean Silk Flowers

Love the look of fresh flowers, but can’t afford to get fresh delivered bouquets on a regular basis? Today silk flowers look very real and offer a great alternative – plus, when kept clean and cared for, they will last you years.

Silk flowers can add a touch of natural beauty to your space and with many looking just as fresh as the real thing, today’s silk variations offer the look of real flowers without the cost and they allow you to fix a lovely vase to keep indefinitely.

The only problem with silk flower arrangements is they can get looking a bit, well, dirty, if not cared for properly, and nothing looks worse than dirty dusty silk flowers gracing a vase.

Just because silk flowers are made to last for years, doesn’t mean they don’t need a little TLC from time to time.

For those who are unsure how to keep silk flowers looking their best, we’ve compiled a few simple tips for cleaning that should help, no matter how old they are. So now you can avoid that worn-out (and dirty) look by cleaning your silk flowers regularly.

Before you Start a Cleaning Method

Whichever option you choose below for cleaning your silk flowers, prior to cleaning take them outside to gently dispense of the dust.

To do this you can gently:

• Gently tap them against a hand to bat some of the dust away.
• Use a clean toothbrush.
• Use a clean old makeup brush (one you won’t be using anymore).
• Use a hair dryer (make sure it’s on a low cooler temperature).
• Use a can of compressed air.

They also sell a silk flower spray cleaner if you’d rather clean that way. If your flowers are not very dusty this option can work nicely by itself. If your silk flowers are a bit dusty, you can try the spray cleaner first and finish with one of the cleaning options below.

Using Soap and Water to Clean Silk Flowers

Fill a sink with warm water then swish in a couple teaspoons liquid dish soap. Now gently swish the silk flowers around in the water and clean the stems as well. If really dusty you may have to use your fingers to carefully clean the petals and let them sit a few minutes. Rinse gently with cool water and let air dry on a towel.

If you have expensive hand tied/wrapped flowers, you may not want to use this method to avoid damage.

Shaking with Salt or Rice

Shaking silk flowers in a plastic bag with a few teaspoons of salt or dried rice can also help remove built up dirt and dust, especially in hard to reach areas of the flowers. Just give the bag a few gentle shakes or until you see the results you want.

Using Cornmeal to Remove Dust

Cornmeal can be used to shake off dirt from silk petals. Just add a few tablespoons of dried cornmeal to a plastic bag; add your silk flowers and shake. When finished you may have to tap or gently shake to clean any cornmeal dust from the petals.

Other cleaning options are to:

• Rinse silk flowers under a soft warm spray of water in the shower. It’s simple and effective. No cleaning products necessary.
• Mix together in a spray bottle a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water.

As you can see, there are quite a few different methods for cleaning silk flowers. Some work better than others; it just depends on how delicate the flowers are. More expensive silk flowers usually need a gentler touch when cleaning, so be wary of using harsh cleaners.

Once you’ve found a good way to clean your silk flowers, be sure to do so regularly to keep them looking freshly picked form the garden and remember, keep them out of long periods of direct sunlight to keep them from fading.

Overall, silk flowers are a versatile and cost-effective option for adding a touch of natural beauty to your home or office space. They also make great decorations for special occasions and events since they can be stored and reused for years to come.