One of the questions I get asked most is 'how do I keep my flowers looking this fresh forever?'

Cleaning your blooms shouldn't feel like a chore. With the right floral first-aid kit, you can whisk away the winter dust in the time it takes to boil the kettle. Here’s how to keep your collection looking like they were just cut from the garden!

Your floral first-aid kit

The magic wand: A soft paintbrush or mini feather duster (perfect for those delicate nooks).

The hero cloth: A trusty microfibre cloth (the MVP of petal polishing).

The spritz bottle: For a gentle mist that doesn’t overwhelm.

Kitchen staples: Mild dish soap and white vinegar (nature’s secret weapons).

Baking soda: The ultimate trick for neutralising any lingering home scents.

The 2-step refresh

Refreshing your flowers is simpler than you think. 

Step 1: Dusting

Before we get to the 'spa' part, we need to clear the surface. Use your duster, a soft brush, or even a quick blast of cool air to lift away the debris.

If it’s a dry day, take your flowers outside for this bit! It stops the dust from just settling in your house, and a bit of fresh air does wonders for the soul (and the stems).

Step 2: The material match-up

Once the dust is gone, it’s time for the bespoke treatment. Remember: not all petals are created equal!

For the real-touch & latex beauties (like our tulip bouquet!):

These flowers have a special coating of liquid polymer, usually latex or a silicone blend, to make them feel real. The coating is sensitive to extreme heat, so don't blast these with a hairdryer on high heat or leave them next to a radiator. 

Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down each leaf and petal individually. It’s therapeutic, I promise! If you have stubborn grime, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Give them a light mist and wipe away. The vinegar cuts through oils without damaging the special coating. Latex coated flowers can withstand a good dunking if needed, but be careful to check all the petals are coated as many of the realistic flowers we use have a hybrid mixture of petals. 

If they get squashed in storage, a very brief shot of steam (from a distance!) can reactivate the memory of the coating and pop the flower back into its original shape. Just never touch the steamer directly to the coating!

For traditional silk & fabric stems:

Silk flowers are a bit more porous, so they hold onto dust differently.

Place your flowers in a paper bag with a cup of coarse salt or dry rice. Shake gently for 30 seconds. The abrasive grains act like a tiny scrub to lift dust from the fabric fibres. A lot of flowers will have removable heads so you can basically behead the blooms and reattach to the stems once they are clean. 

For deep cleaning, dip them in a bowl of lukewarm water with a drop of mild dish soap. Swish really briefly, rinse in cool water, and let them air dry upside down. Always test a tiny, hidden petal first to make sure the colour doesn't run.

For preserved florals:

Do NOT get these wet - dry-clean only! You can basically stop at the dusting step for these blooms.

General maintainance 

Here are my top tips for making sure your Foxglove Florals stay fabulous year after year.

Shade!

We all love a bit of Vitamin D, but your flowers are strictly shade seekers. While our petals are tough, prolonged direct sunlight is like a permanent tanning bed for flowers, it’ll eventually bleach those vibrant colours.

Keep your florals in the dappled light or the cooler corners of the room. They’ll stay bright, bold, and beautiful for way longer! 

If you have a seasonal door wreath they do last much longer out of direct sunlight so it's ideal if you have a porch... 

Quick blast!

If you’ve got 30 seconds and a hairdryer, you’ve got a professional floral maintenance kit. Once a week (or whenever you remember!), give your bouquet a cool-air blast.

Settings: Cold air only, low speed.

5* storage!

Done with your spring tulips and ready for summer roses? Please don't just toss them in a drawer! Keep the boxes we sent your beauties in and use them as floral hotels. This works perfectly if you have a different wreath for each season.

Tuck them in with some acid-free tissue paper to keep them snug and dust-free. When you open the box next spring, it’ll be like seeing an old friend who hasn’t aged a day.

Thanks for reading!

Avie