Keep the Beauty Blooming: The Essential Guide to Caring for and Cleaning Preserved Flowers
Preserved flowers offer the beauty of real blooms with the longevity of dried arrangements. They've been treated with a non-toxic, glycerin-based solution to maintain their natural look and texture for months, sometimes years.
While they are incredibly low-maintenance, they aren't completely "set it and forget it." To ensure your preserved floral arrangements stay vibrant and dust-free, a little gentle care is all they need.
Here is your complete guide to caring for and cleaning preserved flowers:
🌸 The Golden Rules of Preserved Flower Care
The most important aspect of caring for preserved flowers is knowing what to avoid. These simple rules will dramatically extend their lifespan:
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight will cause the colours to fade over time. Place your arrangement in a spot with filtered or indirect light.
- Say No to Water: Preserved flowers are not dried flowers and should never be watered, misted, or placed in a high-humidity environment (like a bathroom with a shower). Moisture can cause them to rot, sweat, or bleed colour.
- Keep it Cool and Dry: Humidity is their enemy. Keep them in a temperature-controlled room (ideally between 18∘C and 25∘C) and away from sources of high heat, like radiators or air vents.
- Handle With Care: Preserved petals and leaves are delicate. Only handle them when absolutely necessary, and always by the stem or base, not the bloom itself.
✨ The Gentle Art of Cleaning Preserved Flowers
Over time, dust will inevitably settle on your flowers. Regular, gentle cleaning is essential to keep them looking fresh and vibrant.
What You Need:
- A soft, clean makeup brush (blush or powder brush is ideal)
- A can of compressed air (used sparingly)
- A hairdryer (on the lowest, coolest setting)
Method 1: The Makeup Brush Dusting (Recommended)
This is the gentlest and safest method for most arrangements.
- Hold the flower by the base or stem to stabilize it.
- Use the soft makeup brush to lightly flick and brush away dust from the petals, working from the center outward.
- Use very minimal pressure. Think of it as tickling the petals, not scrubbing them.
Method 2: The Cool Air Blast
This method is excellent for flowers that are difficult to reach or have many crevices.
- For Compressed Air: Hold the can about 30 cm (12 inches) away from the arrangement. Use short, controlled bursts of air to gently blow the dust off. Do not spray too close as the powerful blast can damage the petals or the propellant can leave a residue.
- For Hairdryer: Set the hairdryer to the absolute lowest speed and coolest temperature. Hold it at least 30 cm away and sweep the air over the arrangement quickly. This should be a quick dusting, not a prolonged blast.
Pro-Tip: Make dusting your preserved flowers a part of your regular cleaning routine (perhaps once every two weeks) so that dust never has a chance to build up and become heavy.
💖 A Lifetime of Bloom
With these simple care and cleaning steps, your preserved flower arrangement can maintain its beauty for months, or even years, offering you a sustainable, long-lasting touch of nature's elegance in your home or office. Enjoy your everlasting blooms!
