Cleaning And Storing Fake Plants And Artificial Arrangements

With fall just around the corner and the holidays following close behind, you might be wondering how to store artificial flowers at home. Some of your favorite decorations might include your summer artificial arrangements, your faux holiday centerpiece, or maybe even your artificial garland or door wreath.

Don’t worry. You have several options for cleaning and storing artificial plants and flowers that will keep them looking great!

PRO TIP – The tips below for cleaning and storing artificial plants and flowers apply to those both made of plastic and silk. So if you are wondering about silk flower storage or how to clean silk flowers or plants then read on. These tips apply to you, as well.

Your first step is to decide which flowers and plants you want to keep out and which ones you want to store. When looking at your arrangements and plants consider these questions:

• Does this arrangement/plant fit with my fall or winter decorating scheme?
• Can I make this arrangement/plant fit with my fall or winter decorating scheme by adding something to it or taking something out of it?
• Can I change the container on this arrangement/plant to make it better fit with my fall or winter decorating scheme?
• Can I move this arrangement/plant to another location where it will work better?

After you’ve decided which items to continue to use and which items you want to store, give all your plants a good cleaning.

How to Clean Artificial Flowers, Plants, And Arrangements Before Storing Them

Whether you have large plants like this Green Fern in a Sandstone Planter or small ones like this Sea Grass Wall Divider, cleaning and storing them is a breeze.

Large artificial plants and trees, like this 40.5″ Queen Anne’s Lace Plant With Soil White, can be easily cleaned if you know how. 

If you’re planning to keep the same arrangements in your home for the fall season, they probably need a good cleaning. And if you’re getting ready to store your arrangements, it’s always a good idea to clean them first. You can get your fake flowers and plants clean in no time in one of a few ways.

Sometimes, A Simple Wipedown Is Enough

Your first option, which is best for small and medium plants, is to use water and a mild dish soap. Simply wet a cloth or towel and clean each flower or leaf individually. For areas that need a deeper clean, add a dash of mild dish soap. You can also use a simple Swiffer Duster to remove any loose dust.

Dust and dirt should come right off. Be careful where you do this as the dye from some artificial flowers can run, so clean them outside or over the sink.

Larger Plants Might Require A Shower

For larger plants and indoor trees, you can put them in your shower and turn on lukewarm water. Let a gentle shower wash over the plant and rotate it so the leaves/petals all get showered. This should wash off any dust or dirt that might have accumulated.

Be sure to let it dry in the bottom of the shower overnight so the entire plant and container is dry before you store it. The last thing you want is to store a damp plant and create a mildew problem.

If you don’t have time to wash the larger plants in a shower, I’d consider buying an artificial plant spray, like the Nu-Leaf & Drip-Dry Cleaner. This cleaner helps restore the plants color and cleans off dirt and dust.

Other Plants Just Need A Dusting

If your faux flowers don’t need a deep clean, you can simply dust them off with a feather duster or a paint brush. Start at the top and work your way down to avoid throwing dust onto areas you’ve already cleaned.

If you don’t want to get them wet, but the dusting isn’t working, you can also put your faux flowers in a plastic bag with some salt. Shake the bag vigorously. The salt will knock the dust off your plants. Give them a good shake as you remove them from the bag to knock the salt off. Check out this video to see how it’s done.

After you’ve finished cleaning your plants, return the ones you want to keep out in your home to their respective places, being sure to rotate them if they’ve been in the sun. Let the plants you want to store dry completely before putting them away.

NOTE: Even plants that are UV-resistant eventually fade. There is no such thing as an artificial plant that never fades, so if your plant is in a sunny spot, be sure to rotate it periodically so it fades evenly.

If you have plants that see the sun daily, you should be using a UV/sun protectant spray. One of my favorites to use is TriNova UV Protectant Spray.

How to Store Your Artificial Plants, Flowers, And Arrangements

One big question for people just discovering the value of fake flowers and arrangements is “How do I store my artificial plants?”

The great news is artificial flower storage is a relatively easy process and the same process applies to storing artificial plants and fake flower crafts. The best way to store them is to place them in a dry, airtight container and an area with minimal light.

Consider using plastic storage drawers or tubs for flower storage and plant storage, but be sure to choose storage that is large enough that it doesn’t squish or crumple the leaves or stems. If you have a plant or arrangement that is too large for an airtight container, cover it with a dust cover or use a large cloth bag to keep dust from accumulating on the petals or leaves while in storage.

Store your faux plants and arrangements in an area with little light, such as basement storage area, crawl space or attic. The less light they receive in storage, the longer they will last without fading.

These storage containers by IRIS USA are perfect for large artificial arrangements as well as fitting those small ones in there, too!

So, there you have it. Cleaning and storing your artificial plants and arrangements can be quick and easy. For more tips on how to clean fake flowers, check out this blog post.

Do you have a tip for cleaning or storing faux plants and arrangements? Drop it in the comments.

And, as always, don’t hesitate to ask me if you have any questions.

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