Suppose you've got yourself a beautiful artificial plant to add natural charm and aesthetics to your space. It brightens up your room, adds a pop of color, and instantly lifts the vibe. The best part? No watering, no sun, no stress. There's just one small downside: dust.
Whether they're real or artificial, all plants tend to gather dust over time. And when it comes to artificial ones, that dust makes them look dull and lifeless. So, the question is - How do you keep it looking fresh and dust-free for longer?
The good news is that keeping your artificial plants looking fresh and dust-free isn't hard. There are a few simple tricks from using hairspray and hair dryer to dusting the surroundings and applying dust repellent spray. Let's discuss how to keep artificial plants dust-free for longer and ensure they look fresh, vibrant, and effortlessly stylish.
Avoid High-Dust Areas
You cannot stop dust from settling on plants, but you can definitely minimize the amount. To keep your artificial plants dust-free for longer, avoid placing your plants where dust accumulates quickly. Keep your plants away from air conditioning or heating vents, as they can blow dust directly onto the plants. Also, avoid placing them in windows or openings as they can let in dust from outside, and sunlight can fade the color. Lastly, keep plants away from cooking areas to protect them from cooking residue, and moisture.
Dust Often
The best and simplest way to keep artificial plants dust-free for longer is to clean them often. Dusting twice a week is fine for most plants. But if you live in a place where dust often comes, like near a busy road or in an open area, it's better to clean it more often. Use a microfiber cloth, feather duster, or soft brush to remove dust as it cleans the plant without damaging the leaves. Gently wipe each leaf, stem, and branch using a microfiber cloth. If you're using a feather duster, lightly run it over every leaf and branch to remove any built-up dust. Make sure to dust from top to bottom to avoid re-dusting areas.
Blow the Dust Away
The hair dryer you normally use to dry your hair can also be a great tool for cleaning artificial plants. It helps remove dust quickly and makes the leaves look fresh and vibrant. Use a hair dryer on a cool or low setting to blow off loose dust, especially on delicate leaves. Avoid using hot air as it can damage the plant. Don't bring the hair dryer too close to the leaves. It's best to hold it about 20 - 30 cm away from the plant. This method works especially well for delicate or hard-to-reach areas without causing any damage.
Apply a Dust Repellent Spray
Dust-repellent sprays create a slight protective coating on the surface of artificial leaves, making it harder for the dust to cling to them. You can either get an anti-static spray or make a DIY mixture by mixing water and fabric softener and putting it in a spray bottle. Hold the spray bottle about 6 - 8 inches away from the plant. Lightly mist all over the front and back of the leaves. Don't soak them; just a fine spray is enough. Let the plant dry naturally for 10 to 15 minutes and gently wipe the leaves with a soft cloth once they're dry.
Use Hair Spray
A simple yet effective way to keep your artificial plants dust-free is by using hairspray. Hair spray contains ingredients that create a thin protective coating, which can help keep dust away from the surface. If there is a meeting, photoshoot, or even a general occasion, a light mist of hairspray makes your plants clean, fresh, and vibrant. Use a non-sticky, aerosol hair spray and mist it on the leaves of your artificial plants. Once they are wet, just wipe them down with a soft cloth to remove the dust. Keep the spray at least 11-12 cm away from the surface to avoid damage.
Clean With Soapy Water
In case your artificial plants are very dirty and cannot be cleaned with only water, using soapy water becomes a must. Mix warm water with a little soap solution. Take a cloth or sponge and dip it in water, squeeze it to remove excess water, and gently clean the leaves with soft hands. Once the leaves are clean, rinse them with clean water to remove the soap solution. Dry the leaves with clean cloth or a hair dryer to make them fresh and vibrant. This is the best solution for not only deep cleaning but also removing algae.
Rinse Occasionally
For a thorough cleaning, rinsing your plants using the shower method works best to remove dust from every corner. This method allows water to reach every part of the plant, making it easier to wash away dust. Just be sure to cover any areas you don't want to get wet, like fabric flowers or delicate parts. Use a gentle stream of warm water from a handheld shower or a low-flow tap for a minute. Don't use high-pressure water, as it can harm both real and artificial plants. Once rinsed, gently pat the plant dry with a cloth or a hair dryer on a cool setting.
Use White Vinegar
Many people don't know that white vinegar is an excellent solvent for deep cleaning artificial plants. It has the ability to remove stains and disinfect your plants, making them fresh, colorful, and dust-free. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and put it in a spray bottle. Lightly mist your artificial plants with that spray and later wipe the surface with a soft, clean cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes, then mist it again with the same solution to clean it thoroughly. Remember to test the white vinegar mix on a small section first to ensure it doesn't discolour or damage your plant.
Dust the Surroundings Too
It's not just about cleaning the plant; keeping the nearby area dust-free makes a big difference. Even if you regularly wipe your artificial plants, they'll get dusty again if everything around them is covered in dust. Therefore, regularly clean the surfaces around your artificial plants like shelves, tables, windowsills, etc. Use a microfiber cloth, soft duster, or small paintbrush to trap particles instead of spreading them around. Less dust in the room means less dust landing on your plants. If possible, use a HEPA filter to trap fine dust particles.
Conclusion
Artificial plants are the best alternative to real plants for people who cannot take care of a real plant. These plants add a genuine touch of nature, raising the aesthetics of your space. However, they are highly prone to accumulating dust, which makes the plant look dull. To ensure plants remain dust-free, firstly, avoid placing them in high-dust areas. Then make sure to clean them once a week using a soft cloth. You can use any method to deep clean them, like a hair dryer, hair spray, white vinegar, dust repellent spray, rinse thoroughly, or soapy water. Lastly, keep the surrounding areas clean to prevent dust from settling on your plants.
