Aren’t silk flowers and fake plants beautiful – they so far! Entirely hassle-free, when we say no-commitment, we mean it. Artificial plants take care of themselves. For the most part.
Unfortunately, things like dust can still be problematic. The good thing is that cleaning them is a very simple process.
There’s a right and wrong way to take care of faux plants. They aren’t indestructible. The wrong cleaner or disinfectant can really do some damage but as it turns out, you don’t need much to clean them.
Artificial plants are reusable, durable, non-toxic, and budget-friendly compared to real plants. Here is how to style and take care of them.
How to Clean Faux Plants
Faux plants can be made from a lot of different materials. Cheap fake plants exist as do high-quality, premium-made artificial plants.
For real-to-the-touch faux plants, look for silk-made flowers, plants, and greenery. ‘Silk’ is the keyword.
Regardless of whether an artificial plant is poly-silk, foam, latex, plastic, or latex coating, how to clean faux plants uses the same strategy.
The biggest threat to any silk plant is dust. This means a feather-duster, compressed air, or a hairdryer all works to get rid of dust. Any time you’re using a hair-dryer, ensure it is on the ‘cool’ setting. Heat can damage the plant.
Another approach in cleaning artificial plants is to use a damp cloth. Some find this more productive than using an air-blower.
How to Style A Silk Flower
After you clean an artificial plant, styling it can be a fun way to cap off the process.
You have a handful of ways to style a silk flower without permanently damaging the fake plant. Here’s how to do it.
- Bending. Fake plants have a wired stem. They are able to be reformed according to the shape you want. A real fake flower arrangement or true-to-life greenery isn’t going to resemble something perfect. There’s got to be a little chaos involved. By bending, you successfully re-shape your silk flower to match the aesthetic you need.
- Clipping. How to style silk flowers can sometimes involve clipping them. Now, this is a permanent choice. Once clipped, you can’t get back. The benefit is you can create flowers to different heights. In terms of realism, this creates a more interesting flower arrangement.
- Fluffing. A fresh garden-esque look can be crafted simply by fluffing up the petals and leaves. This isn’t by no means necessary but some enjoy doing this on a seasonal basis. Pulling back the leaves and bending wired sections to give them a different look every once in a while helps to keep things moving, lively, and creates a new atmosphere.
How to style an artificial plant or flower comes down to personal preferences. There aren’t any hard rules when it comes to how to style. If clipping and fluffing every season isn’t your style, bending them into a pleasing shape and leaving them as is works just as well.
How to Maintain Artificial Plants
Caring for faux plants is a very simple process but there are one or two rules to keep in mind.
UV fading can be a concern. Some premium-made fake plants come with a UV protectant applied.
If you want, there are clear UV protectant sprays that can prevent fading. Check to see if your plant already has a UV-resistant coating. If so, you don’t need to ever use a spray.
When placing silk flowers in a vase, if you put them in water, dip the end of the exposed wire stem into hot glue. This will seal the exposed wire and prevent rusting.
Regarding rust and worries about exposure to moisture, a little bit is ok. A damp cloth is perfectly alright, however, never submerge your artificial plants in water. It’s unnecessary and excessively hot water can damage the outer coating.
How Often Should I Clean Dust on Fake Plants?
Dust accumulates on faux plants faster than they would on most other types of materials or greenery.
The buildup of dust is a very unattractive thing to look at. If you have guests over regularly, cleaning the dust off is something that should be done fairly regularly.
Every room is different, some with more dust than others. Inspect every two weeks to start. Just have a look to see how much dust, if any, has accumulated.
In most cases, you won’t need to clean this often but ensuring your silk plants look their best is a part of the process of plant maintenance. A simple visual inspection gives you all the information you need on your next steps.
Some experts say dust once a week. Others will say once a month. It’s your choice.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean My Artificial Plants?
You don’t want to leave your plants unclean for a very long time. When dust and debris accumulate over time, it becomes harder to remove. This quickly turns into grime and dust, requiring a deep-clean to get rid of.
People who do not clean their artificial plants regularly very quickly ruin their appearance temporarily albeit the process of deep-cleaning them can cause permanent damage.
In deep-cleaning a whole fake plant, always use cool water. Do not submerge but clean thoroughly. Be careful not to get wet any portions of your faux plant that shouldn’t be wet. Let your plant air-dry afterward.
If you are going leaf by leaf, consider using a microfiber cloth which is easily one of the most effective materials you can pair with an artificial plant to help you clean it.
Lastly, never use anything more powerful than soap and water. You don’t want any fading or damage to come to your silk flower or fake plant in any way, be it color, function, and overall appearance.
For the best faux plants and silk flowers in North America, pick up your favourites at ArtiPlanto. Deck your home out in the best fake plants on the market. You’ll be surprised at how natural artificial greenery looks when put in a chosen area.
