Asked on Apr 17, 2016

Looking for a homemade cleaner for the leaves of this artificial tree

Jean Myles
by Jean Myles
I am collecting home decor items to use to stage my home when I'm ready to sell. I was wondering what people use to clean the leaves of artificial silk plants. I am looking for homemade products. I know that I could go to town /online and they sell products made specially for this purpose. I already have a different pot that the plant will be put in it is a hammered metal pot .
My $8.00 Garage sale find.
  15 answers
  • Annette Abrassart Annette Abrassart on Apr 17, 2016
    I just swish all my silk plants upside-down in water with a little dish soap. Makes them look like new,
    • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Apr 17, 2016
      @Thank You Annette Abrassart Not sure how I would do that its 6ft tall. maybe a large garbage can would work
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 17, 2016
    You can use a blow dryer first to get rid of most of the dust. Then Run the plant under a shower as the water pressure should clean the leaves up.
    • See 1 previous
    • C C on Dec 04, 2017

      Hose it off outside...

  • MN Mom MN Mom on Apr 17, 2016
    I personally wouldn't try to wash or get the tree wet. You'll need something more powerful than a hair dryer . I use compressed air in a can which you can buy at an office store. You can also use a small stuff paint brush and whisk it over each section of the tree. If it's just being used for staging most people will see it but probably not inspect it for dust ... Hope this helps
  • DonnaBerlanda DonnaBerlanda on Apr 17, 2016
    Lie the faux ficus on it's side in the driveway and hose it down (not using full force from the nozzle.) Give it a squirt of Ivory liquid, Dove liquid or other gentle dish washing liquid. Rinse it off again with the hose, give it a shake and stand it up to dry. [I used to own a florist shop, and did this all the time to clean faux plants. You can even wash silk flowers with a mild detergent - except the hand-wrapped ones.]
    • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Apr 17, 2016
      Thank You DonnaBerlanda I will try that. Might use some hair shampoo, I think that should be mild enough.
  • Holly Holly on Apr 17, 2016
    I don't use anything but the hose just like DonnaBerlanda says above. If it's lying down you can do it just fine. I do mine twice a year, and have had them for years. I leave them outside until they are dry.
    • 9530106 9530106 on Apr 24, 2016
      @Holly I agree, just use water. A spray nozzle works great,too!
  • Marilyn Marilyn on Apr 17, 2016
    I have not tried this, but might. I have a hand held steam cleaner, with enough power to easily clean the plant (it cleans my weather-torn window sills). Either use detergent and do a rinse or just do it once with hot water and no need to rinse because the power from the steam clean will blow the dirt away.OUTSIDE
    • See 2 previous
    • Megan Megan on Aug 24, 2020

      Did this work? I think I’m gonna try it! Also, I’ve never heard of using a Steam cleaner for any of which you mentioned! I’ll be looking that up too! Thanks!

  • Jemma Dee Jemma Dee on Apr 17, 2016
    Same here. Take it outside and hose it down with your sprayer set to a fine mist. I have never used any kind of soap.
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Apr 18, 2016
    I have never had a problem cleaning any type of faux plant. I stick mine all in the shower and hose them down. You really can't hurt them.
  • Melissa Melissa on Apr 18, 2016
    To get the leaves shiny and clean, use mayonnaise and a small sponge. Works like you won't believe.
  • Shari Veater Shari Veater on Apr 18, 2016
    Yep, take it outside and spray it with the hose. I did this for years with my fake plants.
    • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Apr 20, 2016
      @Shari Veater Now that you suggest the hair spray, I can remember my Mom did that to hers. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
  • Bobbie Bobbie on Apr 18, 2016
    I just use Dawn. A couple drops in a bucket is all. I put mine in the tub and clean away.
  • Verita C Verita C on Apr 18, 2016
    When dry after washing spray with a cheap aerosol hairspray to make it look new again.
    • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Apr 20, 2016
      @Verita C Now you mention using hairspray I remember my Mom doing that. Thanks for replying.
  • Nwpayne Nwpayne on Apr 19, 2016
    Set outside and spray with Windex!
    • Johnchip Johnchip on Apr 23, 2016
      @Nwpayne windex, then hose it off good, let dry. Then the 'cheaper the hairpray' the more it is simply shellac, good for a shiny finish or protective coating thing, but use sparingly.
  • Mary  Law Mary Law on Apr 19, 2016
    You can use mayonnaise on live plants also. Just make sure to only apply to one side of the leaves so they can still breathe.
  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Dec 15, 2017

    a woman I know has the most gorgeous plants...fake and real...she told me her secret is...baby oil ! She uses a soft cloth...like T shirt...and wipes each leaf with a bit of baby oil. I ran home to try it..and wow..my plants look gorgeous now too !! Buff the oil off...don't leave enough to draw dust to it.