Silk Plant Cleaner You Can Make at Home

Silk flower arrangements can brighten any room of your home.

Silk flowers and plants today are so realistic it is difficult to distinguish them from fresh. But, over time, silk flowers and plants can become dusty and dirty, taking away from the fresh look. Fortunately, the majority of silk flowers and plants are made from synthetic material, not silk, and are easy to clean. Commercial silk flower and plant cleaner can be expensive, but you can make your own that will clean your silk flowers and plants just as well.

Things You'll Need

• Hair dryer
• Rubbing alcohol or vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Table salt
• Paper bag

Instructions

Liquid Cleanser

1. Blow loose dust and dirt carefully off your silk flowers and plants with a hair dryer, set on high with the coolest temperature.

2. Mix equal portions of rubbing alcohol and water, or 50/50 vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use cool water; hot water may soften the glue on your silk flowers and plants.

3. Spray the mix on the silk plant until the liquid, dust, and dirt runs off the plant or flowers. Whether you use vinegar or rubbing alcohol, it will clean off the dirt and dry quickly.

Dry Cleanser

1. Put one cup table salt into a paper bag.

2. Place a silk plant in the bag, then fold the top over several times. Shake the bag several times, moving the plant and salt around inside.

3. Remove the silk plant carefully, shaking off any remaining salt. The salt will knock the dust from your silk plant, leaving it fresh and clean.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unsure whether your silk flowers are color-fast, test your liquid cleaner on an inconspicuous spot first.

• Either move your silk plants outdoors, into a sink, bathtub or shower to do your spray cleaning so the run off liquid mix does not damage furniture or linens.

References

• Dollar Stretcher: Cleaning Silk Plants
• Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County: Alternative Cleaning Methods