How to care for faux florals

I love having real houseplants in my home. There’s something simple and nurturing about puttering in plants. I realize not everyone has a green thumb...Even I kill a plant or two sometimes! There is also the issue of proper lighting. Plants need natural light to grow, and most will die if they don’t get enough. So what to do if you want greenery and plants in your home without the maintenance or lighting worries? Get creative with artificial flowers and faux greenery!

White faux floral bouquet. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

I shouldn’t say NO maintenance because you do have to clean and care for faux florals. Thankfully, there are some simple methods for cleaning your artificial plant decor. Whether you are using silk, real-touch, or plastic artificial flowers, there is a cleaning method for you!

Exposure to elements:

First, check labels (if possible) to see if they are outdoor safe or will fade in direct sun. If no label is available, assume they are indoor-only decor and keep them out of the sun. And certainly don’t leave fabric florals outside in the rain or damp, humid areas like bathrooms.

Storing faux florals:

Faux florals can last for years, so you will inevitably be packing them away sometimes. Pack well to protect your florals from the elements. Keep stored florals away from humidity and heat, and use an airtight container where necessary. You can also seal in cloth or plastic bags. Wrap each floral piece separately to prevent entanglements and damage from other florals. Make sure to clean before packing. When unpacking, you’ll need to fluff the flattened florals.

Tips for cleaning faux florals:

Clean often, maybe when you dust and clean other furniture and decor. Dust can settle into nooks, crannies, and fabric fibers if left too long, making it harder to clean later.

Faux Calathea leaf that needs cleaning. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Use a microfiber cloth. To get into crannies or hard-to-reach areas, wrap a microfiber cloth around something long and thin with a point (but not too sharp).

Image by Peter Malyshev on Adobe Stock.

Depending on the type of material on the florals, you may be able to clean them with a damp cloth. Wipe each stem and leaf, top and underneath.

Plastic flowers can be wiped or rinsed with water, provided there is no risk of color or dye running. Protect elements easily damaged by water by wrapping them in plastic and tying them off.

Clean with vinegar for set-in grime. You’ll need 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in a spray bottle. Spray florals, let set for a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. Hard-to-reach places can be cleaned with Q-tips (although the cotton does get stuck on things).

Vinegar and water to clean faux florals. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

You can do the same thing with rubbing alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol to clean faux florals. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Spraying lemon juice on the plants can also cut through the grime. Rinse with cool water, or wipe with a damp cloth to clean.

Lemon juice, water, and a damp towel to clean faux florals. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Use a silk plant cleaner to clean and provide a shine. Some can be sprayed with hairspray and then shaken.

Remember--when using any wet method of cleaning--to spot test first or inspect the whole display for any materials that could be damaged. 

Some silk flowers can be cleaned with 1/2 cup of salt (or cornmeal) in a bag. Put salt and flowers in a bag, gently shake, then remove the florals and shake off the salt. Use a hair dryer in a cool setting to clean off the remaining salt. (Silks Are Forever has some great care tips for silk flowers.)

Image by mkupiec7 on Pixabay.

You can also use compressed air—like the one you use on your computer keyboard—to blow the dust from your florals. Hold 6-8 inches from florals to avoid damage.

Compressed air to clean faux florals. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

A hairdryer on a cool setting (never hot) will blow off dust as well.

Image by Pixel-Shot on Adobe Stock.

A dustbrush or soft-bristled paintbrush will carefully whisk away the dust from leaves and clean out nooks and crannies.

Small soft bristle brushes to clean nooks and crannies in faux florals. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

A traditional feather duster may also work well for dusting your delicate floral decor.

Image by Woraphon on Adobe Stock.

Dust faux florals outside, whenever possible, to reduce the spreading of dust indoors.



Whichever method you choose, you’ll be able to keep faux florals and greenery looking fresh for many years. As much as I love live plants, artificial flowers, and faux greens are so much more versatile, especially when dealing with interior spaces that don’t get the right quality or amount of light (like in my home). Personally, I tend to make the best of both worlds, using real plants in areas near my windows and faux florals in spaces that don’t get much in the way of natural light.

Faux floral arrangement with artificial eucalyptus. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

What do you think of faux florals? For those of you who remember the 70s, how far have faux plants come these past few decades? Leave a comment below!

Related blogs you may want to read:
Spring makeover for my indoor fairy gardens
​Enhancing interior decor with fairy lights and LEDs
New decorative lanterns by Di’s Studio Designs
Tropical themed projects with repurposed dessert cups
Strawberry themed projects with repurposed dessert cups
DIY with faux florals birds and repurposed thrift store finds

This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.