How to clean silk flowers

The methods to clean silk flowers can be divided into 2. The traditional method and the modern method.

The traditional method, of course, is to clean silk flowers using a damp cloth. You just damp a piece of cloth with water, then

wipe away the dust on the petals or leaves of the silk flowers.

Another way is to use a feather duster to get rid of the dust stuck onto the silk flowers. But the downside is, it is hard to remove those stubborn dust that has been accumulated for a long time.

Some homemakers also use a hair-dryer to blow off the dust. This way also might not be effective if the dust is difficult to get rid of.

Overall, the traditional method of cleaning silk flowers is inexpensive but considered time consuming and not effective for stubborn dust and dirt.

The modern method uses a special chemical spray. If you spray onto silk flowers, it will dissolve away the dirt and grime, leaving the silk flowers looking fresh.

Using a chemical spray is fast and effective for accumulated dust. But some also fear that the chemical might change the color or texture of the silk flowers.

Furthermore, cleaning silk flowers using chemicals is expensive and exposure to chemical might not be good to health.

Should I dismantle the arrangement?

 

 

Depends really. Of course cleaning one flower at a time when the flower is still inserted is quite a hassle. But if you see that the arrangement is out of shape, it is better to rearrange and revive your arrangement.

How will cleaning affect my silk flowers?

 

Cleaning may have an effect to your silk flowers but if you take these precautions, maybe your silk flowers can last longer.

 

After you clean your silk flowers, avoid drying the flowers in the sun. The sunshine may cause the color to fade.

Do not use hot water for cleaning. The hot temperature may melt the glue of the silk flowers and make the flowers fall out.

Also, during cleaning, do not wipe the petals vigorously. Some silk flower materials are very delicate and need gentle care.

Always handle the silk flowers with care. They can last longer than they should be.

Benefits of Silk Flowers

More and more people choose silk flowers over fresh flowers in many of their flower arrangements.
Why?

Nowadays, the flower industry has evolved so much that silk flowers are beginning to look like the real thing. The shape is almost similar and the colours are perfectly blended to resemble the real flower.

There are many advantages of choosing artificial flowers. Here are some of them.

• Be it spring, summer, fall or winter, silk flowers will always be available to you. And, you need not worry about the price. Unlike fresh flowers, the price does not depend on its season.

 

 

• You will feel easier carrying a silk flower bouquet because of its light-weight.

 

 

• You will not have bees flying around you when you carry a silk flower bouquet. Fresh flowers will attract insects.

 

 

• If you have allergy to fresh flowers, you will be safe with silk flowers.

 

 

• When you are in contact with silk flowers, you will not have green stains from the stems. The colours of the silk flowers will not transfer to your garment. A good reason for choosing silk flowers over fresh flowers.

 

 

• Silk flowers will never dry up. Therefore, they last longer. They do not need water to keep them fresh, unlike fresh flowers. If you’re working on a project using silk flowers, you can stop, have a few days break and continue with your project the next week.

 

 

• They are easier to be shaped. In flower arranging, sometimes we need to define the shape of the bouquet and silk flowers are the best in that sense. The petals and leaves are easily bent to get the shape we want.

 

 

• Because of its flexibility, silk flowers can be transported anywhere without worrying that the arrangements will get out of shape. When reaching the final destination, it can be easily re-structured.

 

 

• Due to its durability, flower arrangements made from silk flowers can be made early. For example, if your wedding bouquet is made from silk flowers, you can see your bouquet a week before your wedding day.

 

 

• When you are working with silk flowers, you do not have to worry about petals dropping. This can be a big problem sometimes when working with fresh flowers. Another reason for choosing silk flowers over fresh flowers.

 

It is amazing how much silk flowers can do for you. You can save money because they are cheaper and you can save time because working with them is less hassle. Maybe silk flowers texture and smell have not resembled the real thing yet but there is nothing that science can’t do.

In a few years time, silk flowers will look like fresh flowers and you won’t be able to tell the difference. All the more reason for you to choose silk flowers over fresh flowers.

Silk Flower Arranging

Silk flower arranging can be fun especially when you have a beautiful design in mind and want to make to decorate your home.

But sometimes, you get frustated because they are difficult to cut because the stems are too thick or they don’t bend the way you want them, too.

When you are in that position, don’t give up. Here are some tips to help you make your artificial flower arranging easier and less frustating.

 

• If you are planning to make a big silk flower arrangement, you must make sure that the base for the arrangement is strong. What you can do to add weight to your arrangement is, instead of using foam for artificial flowers, use floray clay. They are heavier and can withstand heavy flowers.

 

 

• Silk flowers stems are made from wires so that they are easy to bend. But some stems are really thick and difficult to cut. You need to invest in a good wire cutter in order to be able to cut those stems. A good technique which I also practise is, when your stems are difficult to cut, use the wire cutter to make a cut mark on the stem. Then, use your hands to bend the stem forward and backward until it breaks.

 

 

• In silk flower arranging, th eproper technique will be to cover the foam with moss. First, spray the foam using spray glue. Then, cover the foam with moss bit by bit.

 

 

• Before you start inserting your silk flowers into the foam, first imagine what your arrangement will look like. Plan which flowers will go where and how would they appear. Once you’ve got the basic idea of how you want your arrangement to be, bend the silk flowers according to how you want them to look like, then begin insertion.

 

 

• Always remember, not only in silk flower aranging but in all flower arranging, the big flowers will always be inserted at the focal area.

 

 

• If you are making a tall arrangement with a low container, you might want to glue your foam onto the bottom base of the container. This is to fully secure the base when making tall arrangements.

 

 

• If you find that certain silk flowers tend to fall out easily, you can always use a glue gun to glue them back to their stem.

 

 

• If you need to lengthen the stems of silk flowers for insertion, you can use floral picks. Floral picks are attached with wires at the end and you can use it to wire the stem to the floral pick. You can also use a thick floral wire. Attach the floral wire to the stem and tape the two together to extend the length of the silk flower.

 

 

• When you first purchase silk flowers, they usually come in a packed bunch. You need to separate the stems so that you can start working on them.

 

I hope these tips help.

The silk flowers you get nowadays resemble the real thing. Plus, there are so many types and colours to choose from.

With great design and color combination, silk flower arranging can reward you in so many ways.