How to Clean & Care for Fake Flowers

Artificial flowers tend to accumulate dust and dirt, so they require a weekly or biweekly cleaning to look their best. Simply dust your artificial flowers with a fabric duster, dry microfiber cloth, or compressed air. How you deep clean and remove stains on your flowers depends on what they’re made out of. Keep reading to learn the best ways to clean silk, plastic, latex and silicone, and metal flowers. Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to care and store for them!

Things You Should Know

Dust all types of artificial flowers weekly or biweekly. Dust them with a soft brush, fabric duster, compressed air, microfiber cloth, or hair dryer set to cool.
Clean silk flowers by rinsing them in the shower or swishing them in lukewarm water and dish soap. Or, spray them with equal parts white vinegar and water.
To clean plastic flowers, wash them in lukewarm water and dish soap. Or, spray tough grime and stains with equal parts lemon juice and water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

The Best Ways to Clean Silk Flowers

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1
Dust silk flowers with a soft brush, compressed air , or hair dryer. Silk flowers are more delicate than other artificial flowers, so use a light touch when removing surface dirt and dust. Just gently move back and forth over the petals and leaves with the duster of your choice, like: ^{[1]
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- A soft makeup brush, paintbrush, or toothbrush.
- A fabric duster .
- A can of compressed air.
- A hair dryer set to low heat.
- A soft, microfiber cloth .
- A vacuum cleaner set to its lowest setting with an old stocking secured over the hose by a rubber band.
2
Shake the flowers in a bag of salt to remove dust and dirt. To get rid of debris in hard-to-reach areas, place the silk flowers in a plastic resealable bag. Then, add a few spoonfuls of coarse salt. Simply shake the bag gently for 1 minute, remove the flowers, and tap them with your fingers to remove any remaining salt. ^{[2]
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- The grains of salt act as mild abrasives, gently loosening dust and grime on your flowers.
- As an alternative to salt, add a few spoonfuls of cornmeal or dried rice. Just follow the same directions as the salt method.
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3
Rinse off dust, dirt, and grime in the shower. A gentle stream of water is a super easy way to clean your silk flowers . House cleaning specialist Laura Smith says she likes to “rinse [artificial silk flowers] off in the shower” using lukewarm water. Then, “set them out to dry” on a clean towel away from direct light and sources of heat. ^{[3]
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Expert Source

Laura Smith
House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2022.}
- Do not use hot water to clean your flowers, as the heat can damage the material or melt the adhesive holding the petals and leaves together.
4
Dip the flowers in room temperature water and dish soap. To clean off stubborn dust, dirt, and stains, fill your sink or a bucket with room-temperature water. Then, add a few drops of dish soap. Gently swish each flower around in the water, rubbing the petals and leaves lightly to remove grime. Take the flower out of the soapy water and rinse it with clean lukewarm water. ^{[4]
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- To dry the flowers, set them on a clean towel and gently blot them with another soft, clean towel. Use soft pats, as rough movements can loosen the petals.
- Do not dip the flowers in hot water, as it can damage them and cause them to come apart.
- Don’t soak your flowers for long, especially if they’re hand-wrapped. Soaking erodes the glue and weakens the floral tape.
EXPERT TIP

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

Our Expert Agrees: Mix together a gentle cleansing solution of dishwashing soap and warm water. Then, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe off the flower.
If your flowers look discolored or stained, mix equal parts white vinegar and lukewarm water in a spray bottle. Then, lightly mist the spots with the solution. Let it sit for a few minutes and then blot the stain with a clean white cloth. ^{[5]
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6
Use a silk flower cleaning spray to freshen up your flowers. If your silk flowers are looking dull, mist them lightly with a silk flower cleaning spray to help remove grime and restore their luster. No wiping is required, so simply let the cleaning spray air dry. ^{[6]
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- Special silk flower cleaning sprays can be quite effective, but they are generally more expensive than other cleaning solutions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

The Best Ways to Clean Plastic Flowers

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1
Dust the flowers with a fabric duster , compressed air , or hair dryer. To get rid of loose dust and dirt on your plastic flowers, move the duster of your choice in quick back-and-forth motions over the petals and leaves. Plastic flowers are more durable than silk flowers, so use any of these dusters: ^{[7]
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- A fabric duster.
- A can of compressed air.
- A hair dryer set to low heat.
- A dry or damp microfiber cloth .
EXPERT TIP

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Bridgett Price is a House Cleaning Professional based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has over 8 years of experience in the industry and is the Co-Owner of Maid Easy, a maid service company servicing the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area witih over 17k professional cleanings under its belt. Maid Easy was featured on CNBC's 'Made It!' program and was voted as The Best of The Desert - Residential Cleaning Service by AZCentral. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional

Our Expert Agrees: Artificial flowers tend to collect a lot of dust, so always start by dusting them well. You can even use a vacuum hose to get off all the fine dust that accumulates on them. Commercial cleaning products like Mrs. Meyer's Vinegar Gel Cleaning Spray also work well. Just use a little bit to shine your artificial plants and help them look more lively.
2
Wash away dirt and stains with lukewarm water and dish soap. Fill your sink or a bucket with lukewarm water, pour in a few drops of dish soap, and add in your flowers. Simply swish them in the soapy water and gently rub the petals and leaves. Then, rinse them off with clean water. ^{[8]
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- Dry the flowers by placing them on a clean towel and gently patting them with another clean towel.
- Alternatively, dampen a microfiber cloth with the soapy water and gently wipe the flowers. ^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  Green Cleaning Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- Do not wash the flowers with hot water, as it can loosen the adhesive holding the flowers and leaves together.
3
Remove stubborn grime using equal parts lemon juice and water. The citric acid in lemon juice helps break down stuck-on dirt on your plastic flowers. Just fill a spray bottle with equal parts lemon juice and lukewarm water. Then, spritz the dirty spots and lightly dab them with a clean white cloth. ^{[10]
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- If the grime is especially stubborn, gently wipe away the spray with a microfiber cloth. Then, rinse the flowers in cool water and lay them on a towel to dry.
- Never use hot water, as it can weaken the glue that holds the flowers together.
- Avoid scrubbing, which can damage the flowers.
Clean and shine plastic flowers with glass cleaner . Ammonia-based glass and window cleaners, like Windex, help remove stubborn grime and restore your flowers’ luster. Simply spray the cleaner on the petals and leaves and gently wipe it with a microfiber cloth. ^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

The Best Ways to Clean Latex and Silicone Flowers

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1
Dust latex and silicone flowers with a fabric duster or hair dryer. Flowers made out of latex and silicone are often called “soft touch” or “real touch” because they mimic the feel of real flowers. To remove surface dust and dirt, gently move the duster of your choice back and forth over the petals. You might use: ^{[12]
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- A fabric duster
- A soft makeup brush, paintbrush, or toothbrush.
- A can of compressed air .
- A hair dryer set to low heat.
2
Wipe stubborn grime with a damp microfiber cloth . Remove stains and stuck-on dirt by wetting a soft cloth with water. Then, wring out the cloth to remove the excess water so it's only slightly damp, not sopping wet. Just gently wipe the petals and leaves of the flower until they’re clean. ^{[13]
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- Alternatively, use fragrance-free baby wipes to clean latex and silicone flowers.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

The Best Ways to Clean Metal Flowers

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Dust metal flowers with a microfiber cloth or fabric duster . Simply sweep a dry cloth or fabric duster back and forth over the flowers to remove dust and dirt. While metal flowers are the most durable artificial flowers, use soft cloths and dusters to prevent scratches. ^{[14]
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2
Clean tarnished metal with white vinegar and baking soda. If your metal flowers are dull or discolored, get out a shallow bowl and add 1 c (250 ml) of white vinegar and 2 tbsp (34 g) of baking soda. Insert the flowers and let them soak for 2 to 3 hours. Then, rinse them with cool water and pat the flowers dry with a towel. ^{[15]
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- Double or quadruple the recipe if you need more solution to cover your flowers.
- Alternatively, use dish soap, ketchup, or lemon-lime soda to remove the tarnish on your metal flowers.
3
Soak your flowers in white vinegar to remove rust . Fill a container large enough to hold your rusted metal flower with white vinegar. Just insert the flower and let it soak for 24 hours. Then, scrub off the rust with a toothbrush, rinse it with water, and dry it with a clean cloth. ^{[16]
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- There are lots of other ways to remove rust, like scrubbing the flowers with salt and lime juice or baking soda.
- Alternatively, scrape off the rust with a wire brush . Then, spray the rusted spots with a rust converter . Just go over the black spots with the paint of your choice.
- Work outside or in a well-ventilated area when scrubbing off rust or using a rust converter.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Artificial Flower Care and Storage

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1
Dust and clean your artificial flowers weekly or biweekly. To keep your flowers looking fresh and prevent stains and stuck-on grime, dust them once per week or once every 2 weeks. Or, give them a deep clean with a method that works for the material they’re made out of. ^{[17]
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- Dust any type of artificial flower with a soft brush, fabric duster , compressed air , or hair dryer set to low heat.
2
Keep your flowers out of direct light and extreme weather. Harsh, direct sunlight can cause colorful flowers to fade and light-colored flowers to turn yellow. So, display them in shaded areas or spots that get indirect light. In extreme heat, cold, and windy conditions, keep your flowers inside to prevent damage. ^{[18]
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- Check if your flowers are made for indoors or safe to display outdoors. Outdoor flowers are typically UV-protected but they can still fade in direct light. Only display them in bright light for 3 months out of the year.
- Spray your artificial flowers with UV-protection spray to help prevent fading and discoloration.
3
Store flowers in sealed containers away from direct light. Place your artificial flowers in an airtight plastic container or bag. Give the flowers a lot of breathing room in the container so they get good airflow and don’t crush each other. Just set your container in a cool, dry spot away from direct light, like a closet. ^{[19]
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- Add silica gel packets or cedar blocks in the container to prevent moisture buildup and keep the flowers fresh.
- When you take your flowers out of storage, spend a minute fluffing them by bending and separating the leaves and petals. This helps your flowers look more real.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you clean artificial flowers?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

Dampen a microfiber cloth with a mild cleansing solution and wipe the artificial flowers with it.

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What soluiton can I use to clean artificial flowers?

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Expert Answer

You can prepare a gentle cleansing solution by mixing warm water and dishwashing soap to clean artificial flowers.

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What is the best way to store your fake flowers?

Community Answer

Silk and plastic flowers can be stored together. Line the bottom of a storage bin with crumpled tissue paper. Place the flowers with longer and heavier stems in the bin first. Alternate the direction you place them in. (For example, if the first layer has the petals pointing left, point the petals to the right on the next layer.) Lay the lighter pieces on top. When you're done, close the bin, and replace it in the closet, under the bed, or wherever else you store your plastic bins.

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Tips

Test your cleaner on an inconspicuous part of your flower before using it on the entire plant to ensure it doesn’t damage it or cause it to fade.

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If you can do so safely, dismantle any flower parts that come apart. This helps you clean every part of the flower and leaves.

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