One of the most common questions we get asked is how to clean our faux flowers and greenery. And more specifically, how to clean them without accidentally ruining them in the process. We understand that you want to keep your faux flowers looking their very best, and avoid them becoming a dust magnet.

One of the main benefits of faux flowers is that they last for years, so it’s important to take care of them! To help with just that, we’ve put together this useful guide to cleaning and caring for your faux flowers. 

Cleaning

It is important to know how to care for artificial flowers, to keep them looking vibrant and fresh, just like the day you bought them.

Cleaning your faux flowers couldn’t be easier, by using the two simple steps that we’ve outlined below.

• Rinse your flowers under a hand-held spray tap or lightly swirl your flowers around in a bucket filled with cold water in order to remove all dust and grime.
• Dust your flowers with a small, dry paintbrush or feather duster.
• Always use cold water, never use heat or hot water, as this will cause the colours to fade and there may be same colour transfer.
• Shine your vase with a soft cloth and window cleaner.
• Allow them to air dry completely in a shaded area or use a hairdryer set on cool air.

General care

There are other ways besides cleaning to keep your faux flowers looking their best. For example, we do not recommend placing our flowers in particularly harsh, direct sunlight, as this may cause the colour to fade over time. We’ve put together a simple do and don’t list below to help you on your way to perfect faux flowers.

Do 

• Shake your bouquet to remove any loose dust
• Gently wipe over the leaves and petals with a damp cloth 
• Place indoors, away from harsh, direct sunlight 
• Avoid humidity and water. Keep the stems in a dry vase only
• Use a vase
• Handle gently and protect from pets and small children 

Don’t

• Use chemical products on our flowers 
• Fully submerge in water 
• Place in harsh, direct sunlight 
• Leave outdoors, unprotected from rain and severe weather 
• Clean too often. Bi-weekly or once a month is generally sufficient 

Storage

If you have seasonal flowers, such as Christmas or Easter arrangements, proper storage is key when not in use. Here’s how to store your artificial flowers:

• Store in a Dry, Cool Place: Keep your artificial flowers in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. This helps preserve the colors and materials.
• Avoid Squashed or Deformed Flowers: When storing bouquets or individual flowers, ensure they aren’t squished or compressed. Consider using boxes or storage containers to keep them protected.
• Airtight Storage: If you have a large collection of artificial flowers, a plastic bag or a storage box with a lid is ideal for protecting them from dust and moisture.

Placement

• Avoid Extreme Heat: While most artificial flowers are designed to withstand room temperatures, they should not be placed near heat sources like ovens or fireplaces, as high temperatures can affect their appearance.
• Clean Your Vase: If the flowers are in a vase, remember to clean the vase regularly to prevent the buildup of dust and dirt, which can affect the flowers.

We hope that this blog post has provided you with the know-how needed to care for your new purchase. At Silk by Design, we believe that with the right care, your silk flowers can bloom beautifully in any room, creating a stunning display that lasts. If you have any questions or need further assistance, contact our friendly customer service team.