How to Starch Artificial Flowers

Over time artificial flowers can lose some of their shape and have a wilted appearance. Starching the petals of the artificial flowers allows you to reset them into a natural shape that will holds for months. Artificial flowers are made from a variety of natural and synthetic cloth materials. Adding starch to these fabric materials causes them to lose their flexibility. Refresh the appearance of an artificial flower arrangement by applying a fresh coat of starch.

Things You'll Need

• Large paper bag
• 1/2 cup fine grain table salt
• Kitchen towel
• Can spray starch

Instructions

1. Lower the entire arrangement of artificial flowers into a large paper bag and pour in the table salt.

2. Fold the top of the large paper bag closed and shake the enire thing vigorously for 30 seconds.

3. Dust residual salt granules off of the artificial flowers as you lift the arrangement up out of the paper bag.

4. Cover a table or counter with a kitchen towel and place the cleaned flowers on top.

5. Shake the can of spray starch for five seconds before coating each flower's petals in a fine mist of starch.

6. Form and crease the artificial flower petals with your fingers while they are still damp.

7. Allow the cleaned and starched artificial flowers to fully dry on the kitchen towel before moving them back to become part of your home decor.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with using kitchen utensils and clothes pins to mold artificial flowers into natural shapes with distinct creases while they are damp with the starch.

• Neglecting to clean the artificial flowers prior to the starch application will only glue the existing dust onto the surface of the flower.

References

• AstroRomp: Recipes for House Cleaners (Non-toxic Alternatives)
• Oh Schwiet Scrap: Curled Flower
• Cut Out and Keep: Kanzashi Flowers From Failed Shibori