How to Clean Spanish Moss
You've created the perfect artificial flower arrangement and covered it with a lovely layer of dried Spanish moss. As the months pass, a layer of dust begins to accumulate over the moss. You can't vacuum the moss along with the rest of the house because the moss is loose. Short of removing the Spanish moss and replacing it with a fresh, dried layer, you're left with only a few choices for cleaning the moss in your arrangement. The easiest method involves using your hairdryer and really is quite simple. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hairdryer
- Towel
- Spanish moss
- Clean pantyhose
- Large rubber band (optional)
- Vacuum cleaner
Instructions
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Cleaning With the Hairdryer
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Place a towel beneath the arrangement so the floor or table is thoroughly covered. Some moss will blow free and the little pieces will be caught on the towel, saving you more cleanup.
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Set the hairdryer on a low heat or a no-heat setting.
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3
Place your hand, very loosely and lightly, over the Spanish moss, slightly pressing it down, but not firmly, and, with your other hand, blow the moss with the hairdryer. If your moss is secured by glue, you can exclude the holding and simply blow the Spanish moss with the hairdryer. The dust should be blown free from the flower arrangement.
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4
Replace any matted or oily Spanish moss with a few pinches of additional Spanish moss. According to Schusters of Texas, "Spanish moss can be misted slightly, 30 minutes to an hour before you use. This will soften and cut down on dust. Don't wet completely." If the arrangement hasn't been cleaned for some time, the dust buildup sometimes clings to the moss and even after blowing with the hairdryer clings, appearing dull and dirty.
Cleaning With a Vacuum Cleaner
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Stretch the leg and/or panty section of a pair of clean, old pantyhose over the top of the arrangement's container, covering the Spanish moss. You may have to arrange it around the base of the flower arrangement. Cover the moss.
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Secure the pantyhose around the outside of the arrangement container, with a large rubber band, if needed.
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Using the hand-held hose attachment of the vacuum cleaner, place the hose nozzle against the pantyhose that is protecting the Spanish moss beneath and vacuum through the hose. This will allow dust to be vacuumed from the Spanish moss without sucking the moss from your arrangement.
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Remove the rubber band and the pantyhose and fluff the moss with your hand if needed. Straighten any part of the arrangement that was depressed during cleaning.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a feather duster to routinely dust and clean the Spanish moss in your artificial arrangements.
