Try rice. Take a paper bag and place a cup or two of white rice (uncooked of course). Place the plant inside and shake. Give it a few good shakes and the rice will dust the plant off. A variation of this method involves the same steps, only with salt!
Or, fill your sink about 1/2 full with warm water and 2-3 tsp. of Dawn dish detergent. Take your silk flowers/plants and swish them in the sudsy water several times. Lay on a dishtowel to dry. This method has allowed me to use the same silk flowers for years.
Cleaning may have an effect to your silk flowers but if you take these precautions, maybe your silk flowers can last longer.
After you clean your silk flowers, avoid drying the flowers in the sun. The sunshine may cause the color to fade.
Do not use hot water for cleaning. The hot temperature may melt the glue of the silk flowers and make the flowers fall out.
Also, during cleaning, do not wipe the petals vigorously. Some silk flower materials are very delicate and need gentle care.
Always handle the silk flowers with care. They can last longer than they should be.
