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Caring for
Your Permanent, Dried and Preserved Flowers and Plants
Although permanent (fabric), dried and preserved flowers are long
lasting, they won’t be around forever. Proper environment and care are
keys to maximizing their life span.
Here are 12 tips for getting the most from your purchases.
Environment
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Place
fabric flowers in a dry environment to prevent softening or wilting
caused by humidity.
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Keep
fabric, dried and preserved arrangements away from direct sunlight
to prevent colors from fading.
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To
reduce shattering of dried flowers, place arrangements in locations
where they will not easily be bumped by people or pets.
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Protect tables and other surfaces from being stained by dyes that
sometimes bleed from preserved botanicals under humid conditions.
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Do
not display dried flowers outdoors. Fabric and preserved botanicals
can be used outdoors in locations that are protected from sun, wind
and rain; however, they will have a significantly shorter life span
than those used indoors.
care
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Dust
your fabric, dried and preserved flowers routinely. A light touch
with a feather duster once a week should be sufficient.
Alternatively, blow dust away with a hair dryer on a low, cool
setting. You also can periodically place them outdoors for a few
hours, in a shaded area, on days when there is a gentle breeze.
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To
remove heavy dust and debris on fabric flowers and plants, wipe them
with a damp cloth. In addition, a light spray of a “silk”/dried
flower cleaner* will quickly dissolve dust and make the botanicals
look like new.
* AFK
Artificial Flower Kleaner
Chrysal Silk & Dried Flower Cleaner
Design Master Silk Flower Cleaner
Nu-Leaf Artificial Plant Cleaner
Silk ’n Splendor Silk Plant Treatment
Silks Alive Artificial Foliage Cleaner
Simply Silk Silk Plant Cleaner
Panacea Dried Flower Cleaner
Victoria’s Dried & Freeze-Dried Flower Cleaner
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These
cleaners also can be used to clean and restore color to dusty dried
flowers. Be sure to spray lightly so as not to completely saturate
the flowers.
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Dirt
can be removed from polyblend shrubbery and other outdoor “plastics”
by spraying occasionally with water.
replacement
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Fabric flowers and plants have the potential to last for several
years indoors. Outdoors, the effects of sun, rain and other elements
will likely fade colors and wither flowers after about a year.
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Dried
botanicals typically last for about one year due to their tendency
to shatter. Botanicals that have been preserved with glycerin or
other substances to maintain a natural supple texture can last for
several years, depending on the form of the botanical. A delicate
fern frond that has been preserved with glycerin will last for two
or three years whereas a sturdy Magnolia leaf that has been
similarly preserved may last for seven or eight years or more.
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Many
permanent arrangements are designed using a combination of fabric,
dried and preserved materials. In these arrangements, some materials
may deteriorate long before others. When this occurs, take the
arrangement to your favorite florist for a redesign.
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