Flowers do a lot to brighten up a home. They look great sitting on your table for a while, but eventually silk flowers do collect dust. And real flowers start to fade. All flower arrangements do need a little bit of care. Have you ever wondered how to care for a flower arrangement once you bring it home? In this article you will learn the basics of caring for silk flowers, fresh flowers, and dried flowers. With a few simple tricks you're flower arrangements will be looking brighter and happier. Silk flower arrangements are the easiest flowers, and require almost no maintenance. Collecting dust seems to be the largest concern. We recommend buying a silk floral cleaner, which can be purchased at most craft stores. It should be sprayed onto the arrangement following the directions on the package. For silk plants, try dusting leaves with a slightly damp cloth.
To keep real flower arrangements looking their best the longest, change the water often (every other day, if possible) and re-cut the stems at an angle. Add a little bit of a commercial floral food/preservative. Some of my clients seem to swear by a half an aspirin, some sun drop or a little bit of sugar. This is not recommended. I have found that flowers in commercial preservatives last longer. Distilled water works better than tape water. Never allow leaves or any foliage under the water, because this helps harmful bacteria grow.
Dried arrangements allow real flowers to be dried and keep for many years. Although they will eventually dry out to the point of becoming crumbly, there are a few ways to prolong their life. As the flowers continue to dry out, they often become brittle, which leads to breaking or crumbling. To avoid this, never leave your arrangement in direct sunlight. You can place them in a bathroom, where steam from your hot showers will keep them from becoming too dry.
Try these tips on your own flower arrangements and watch as your silk flowers look cleaner and your real flowers stay fresher. These tips are a simple way to care for your flowers and improve their lifespan of brightening up your house.
