How to clean artificial flowers

Keep your artificial flowers looking there best with our cleaning step-by-step guide. Watch our video guide or read our instructions below.

Artificial summer shades bouquet by Blooming Artificial

Artificial flowers are incredibly realistic and convincing these days, but a layer of dust or dirty mark is likely to reveal their secret. 🕵️‍♂️

In our video guide below, Sarah will run you through how to clean your artificial flowers so that they look as good as the day they arrived.

Cleaning silk flowers

Silk flowers need a little extra care than latex flowers because of their delicate nature. Using water, a damp cloth or any harsh chemicals to clean them might cause the colours to run, which we certainly wouldn’t want to happen! 😨

To find the best way to clean your artificial flowers watch our video guide below or read on for instructions.

How to clean artificial flowers

Option 1: Using a damp cloth

With latex or real touch flowers, like our artificial orchids or rose stems, a damp cloth is usually the best method for removing dust and dirt.

Just take a clean, damp cloth and wipe each flower carefully, making sure to get into all the small details, then leave them to dry.

We don’t recommend trying this on silk (or fabric) flowers as it might cause the colours to run.

Option 2: Try a cleaning spray

You can find a range of artificial flower cleaning sprays online that are fab for cleaning silk plants and flowers. They’re really good for bouquets that have got a little dusty or for your outdoor flower arrangements.

First, it’s best to do this method outdoors or use some newspaper or a towel to protect your surface. Then, test your cleaning spray on a hidden leaf to make sure the colours don’t run, then give your flowers a generous spray all over and leave to dry.

Option 3: Use a hair dryer or compressed air

Lastly, and the messiest of all options, is to use a hair dryer or a can of compressed air. This is the best way to get dust off of your faux flowers.

This option works really well with more intricate flowers like our lisianthus or delphinium stem our artificial bouquets where a damp cloth or cleaning spray can’t reach the corners and creases.

When you’re ready, take your flowers outside or sit by an open window, and use your compressed air or hair dryer (on a cool setting) to simply blow the dust off your flowers until they’re clean.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash fake flowers?

There’s plenty of blogs and articles online that recommend running your flowers underwater or using washing up liquid to clean them.

We don't recommend this because it could damage your artificial flowers, especially if they're made from silk.

Can you put fake flowers in the dishwasher?

We don't recommend it. Most dishwashers are too powerful and might damage artificial flower stems and petals. use one of our other suggested methods instead.

How do you get mould off silk flowers?

Mix a small amount of white vinegar with water (we think about 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) and dab it onto the affected area using a q-tip bud.

Make sure you try it on a hidden area first in case it causes colours to run or discolour.