Asked on Jan 12, 2017

How can I fix this discolored wreath?

Anne Coppes
by Anne Coppes
I have a cute 3-piece snowman wreath made from white garland. Unfortunately the white garland has yellowed/discolored over time. Any suggestions for whitening the 3 circles of garland? The mittens, hat, scarf and trim are in great condition. Thanks any suggestions.
  24 answers
  • Cindy Mann Cindy Mann on Jan 13, 2017

    I had same thing happen so I tried white spray paint it didn't work, eventually just threw away sorry


  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 13, 2017

    You can try putting it outside in the sun and spray it down with white vinegar.

    • Cindy Cindy on Jan 13, 2017

      If Janet's idea doesn't work, how about some oxy clean? Never have done this or used oxy clean other than in my homemade laundry soap. Might be worth a try.

  • C C on Jan 13, 2017

    How about soaking it in Borax? or peroxide and vinegar?

  • Karen Reilly Karen Reilly on Jan 13, 2017

    Get some new garland and redo it or take it to a dry cleaner and ask them what to do with it. They are amazing you might not like the chemicals but a good dry cleaner might have an answer.

  • Bren Bren on Jan 13, 2017

    Take a photo, disassemble it. Replace garland with new. Reassemble using your photo as a guide.

  • Lsuzannea Lsuzannea on Jan 13, 2017

    My all white Christmas tree did that only it turned light yellowish brown

    it was only year old I pitched it

  • Tam 15076171 Tam 15076171 on Jan 13, 2017

    What I am about to say requires taking everything off of it or being real careful 1st put 2 tbsp. baking soda and 1cup warm water in a spray bottle spay it real good with that to clean it let it set in the sun for 15 or so minutes then rinse well then put 1/2 of a cup of bleach in a spray bottle and 2 cups of hot water then spray well . let it set about the same length of time (don't let it dry with either of these on there) rinse well and repeat the bleach and water process if needed but I don't think you will have to . If you try this let me know how it turns out

  • Nancee Nancee on Jan 13, 2017

    Might not be able to find it this time of year, but spray snow would make it white again.

  • Kim Kim on Jan 13, 2017

    I'm not sure why you didn't have a good experience with spray painting Cindy Mann but I just spray painted dry hydrangea's for my parents 50th with gold metallic spray paint. Your garland cannot be more delicate than dry flowers. I would make sure to use outdoor spray paint unless your snow man stays inside. Hope this helps.

  • Anne Coppes Anne Coppes on Jan 14, 2017

    I really appreciate all the suggestions and as soon as we have a sunny day- I will try them. I really like this wreath when it is white and assembled! So I will definitely work m y way through all the suggestions - and any more that are posted!

  • LA LA on Jan 14, 2017

    Greetings from Mechanicsburg! Another reader suggested spray snow - that's what I was thinking. You should be able to find it (it might be also be called flocking) on Amazon.

    • Anne Coppes Anne Coppes on Jan 14, 2017

      I got some good ideas, but most involve sunshine and as you know, we haven't had long periods of sun lately - just bits and pieces!


  • Bonita L. Gauthier Bonita L. Gauthier on Jan 14, 2017

    Hello !

    I was taught this trick by a florist friend when my beloved hubby passed and I wanted to save the silk arrangements.

    Whenever I have silk flowers or delicate items such as your garland that look grungy/dirty, I clean them by laying them on a cookie sheet or other pan cake pan, so you don't lose all the cornmeal. Then take them outside and shake it gently to remove both the meal and the dust. DUSTING THEM with DRY CORNMEAL.

    It gently removes any dust or film from them, and they often look good as new. BECAUSE YOUR GARLAND IS FRAGILE, I SUGGEST USING A VERY LIGHT TOUCH WHEN RUBBING IT WITH THE CORNMEAL...YIOU DON'T WANT TO PULL OFF ANY STRANDS.

    Let me know how you make out! GOOD LUCK!

    Bonnie

  • Bernadette Staal Bernadette Staal on Jan 14, 2017

    As sad as it seems sometimes we have to make the big decision and say good bye to much loved items. Take the items / parts that are still in a usable condition and rebuild a new treasure.

  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Jan 15, 2017

    If it is very solid,I would just place it in a tub with vinegar and baking soda.Let it soak.When it is clean just rinse with cold water and air dry!

  • Gordon De Mouth Gordon De Mouth on Jan 16, 2017

    I had the same thing happen to mine. I went to Walmart and purchased Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy paint in white. I bent the branches so they were straight up and separated. I painted them with about 3 coats. It worked and they look brand new. I left them outside for a day or two to air out. We also had a Christmas tree that did this. We painted that with their Stainless Steel paint and it turned out beautiful. Good Luck.

  • Nancy Canup Gravitt Nancy Canup Gravitt on Jan 16, 2017

    All you need to is take the scarf, etc off and after rinsing the wreath off well to make sure you get any dirt off and after letting to dry well use white Floral Spray and spray it in a well ventilated area. Preferably outside. Just lay it on a piece of plastic or hang it on a tree limb or a stand. Floral paint can be bought at any craft store that sells Floral products. It the best solution because just washing with bleach or baking soda will not make it white again. the garland is most likely plastic and not fiber.

    Floral paint is not as toxic, like most paint and it also doesn't get as stiff as regular paint or even hobby paint.

  • Gail Cooley Gail Cooley on Jan 16, 2017

    I WOULD USE DIFFERENT COLORS OF UNICORN SPIT. I THINK IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. HAVE FUN WITH IT. REMEMBER,A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY WITH UNICORN SPIT.

  • Anne Coppes Anne Coppes on Jan 17, 2017

    Thanks for all the great ideas - we might get some sunshine next week and I will try the paint ideas!


  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Feb 13, 2022

    You can spray paint the wreath white.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Mar 27, 2022

    You can remove all of the decorations and paint the bases white with spray paint.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 30, 2023

    You could always wrap new Garland around the wreath to give it a new look!

  • Janice Janice on Oct 30, 2023

    Mix white wall paint with water to thin it and use a spray bottle to apply it to the plastic wreath. Do several thin coats and it will eventually be white. You can spray from different angles and let each coat dry well before applying the next coat. It may take 5-6 layers to get the white you want.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 02, 2023

    Disassemble the garland and replace it.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 03, 2023

    Paint spray paint, Wash after removing cones?