Cleaning artificial flowers

Legacy_user

I have some artificial flower arrangements that i am bored with. I was thinking of putting them towards my next load of car boot collection. They are in good condition, not faded, but obviously a bit dusty and could do with a bit of a clean. Got any ideas folks? Its a shame to put them in the bin.

Ticklemouse

If they are the dried real flower ones, you could try blasting them with a hairdryer on a cool setting to blow away the dust - but not so hard or so close as to completely blow the arrangement away.

Can't you wash silk ones? A quick dunk in some cool soapy water to swish away the dust, I would have thought.

Cullumpster

I'm sure i saw something like that on 'How clean is your house'.
put them in a plastic bag with some salt (or sugar) at the bottom and shake the bag around, voila !

MATH

I rinse silk flowers under the shower. You could also try a vinegar 'n' water rinse to brighten the colours (yeh! I know, Vinegar, who'd av thought it).
If you are a bit board with them take the arrangements apart and re-do into somerthing different.

System

If you are a bit board with them take the arrangements apart and re-do into somerthing different.

Nahh thats not an option, since having the chinchillas theres inches of dust every day to clean up, most of the ornaments have just got to go cause its taking me too long to clean.

Queenie

Judi, hopefully the various advice above has helped and you'll get a nice few bob from your sale.

Just a thought for you ... if you have a set of ornaments which you really can't bear to part with and haven't the time/energy or inclination to chinchilla dust .. while you are at your Boot Fair, keep your eye open for a glass fronted cupboard; that way you get to enjoy your precious one's w/out all the dusting.

On the other hand, wrap them, store them in the loft and who knows, could be worth a few bob in years to come and at least you've kept them safe.

Third option, if they have sentimental value only, take a photograph of them and then add them to your Boot Fair - you'll still have the physical reminder w/out the dust

megasaver

Cullumpster wrote:

I'm sure i saw something like that on 'How clean is your house'.
put them in a plastic bag with some salt (or sugar) at the bottom and shake the bag around, voila !

I saw something like this on one of those 10 minute secret tricks of the trade programmes that they show on BBC2. This one was tips and tricks from florists and one of them recommended cleaning dusty silk flowers by: adding salt to a paper bag, putting the flower heads into the bag and holding onto the bag around the stem. Then simply give the bag a really good shake and your flowers come out clean. It stuck in my mind because I tried it out a few weeks ago and it really did work!

HTH

hkumar

I think you should replace all the artificial Flowers...I know its so funny answer but its a right way clean all..

snowleopard61

I hoover mine, with an upholstery brush!

ETA: That's "hoover" in inverted commas - it's technically a Henry

Fruball

In to a bag with dishwasher salt and give a good shake - done

LameWolf

I use an air duster, while I have it in my hand to do the more intricate pewter and crystal dragons (of which I have a rather large amount).

I'll make a note of the salt in a bag idea though.;)