I love the idea of fake flowers in hanging baskets outside! Did that last year after investing $$$$ in lovely hanging baskets that lasted about a month then died...I went to goodwill bought a lot of their artificial flowers and stuck them I the pots...lovely for the rest of the summer and now in garage waiting for this years debut! Silk flowers....really silk or the cloth feeling ones that are all over?

I have some silk flowers that are so dusty .. now I know !! Thanks for the tips !!

I use the JoAnns silk cleaning spray, the dust disappears with no wiping. I always do this outside due to whatever chemical is in it. I let it dry outside. That's it.

I use the compressed air, too. There use to be a spray that you could buy that was made specifically for cleaning silk flowers. I got it in the Plant Section of JoAnn's. Have no idea if it's still available, but maybe....:)

I put mine into the tub as I have a hand held sprayer. Worked for me and some of my silk flowers are over 20 years old. Yes, they're not sun faded as I keep them away from the windows. Sure beat cleaning each petal individually which I used to do. What a chore.

I use Hair Spray, buy the cheap kind and spray away. Come out looking like new.

I have a rather large basket with greenery in it and I just set the whole thing in the tub and spray. Let sit a while to drip dry then wipe off the bottom of basket. I use silk flowers in flower arrangement on graves all the time. They're out in sun/wind/storms and seem to do ok for at least 6 months or more. So, a little gentle shower in the tub couldn't hurt them any more than that.

Our daughter gave me a bottle of concentrated liquid which you put a small amount into a spray bottle and dilute. Shake well, and spray on the flowers and foliage. I just do it in the kitchen sink, let drip dry and voila! put back where you had displayed them.
If you have the flowers in a nice vase, I take them out and save my vase the chance the soapy water will mar it.
Mariah

I have cleaned all kinds of artificial flowers the way Lori S. does, usually without adverse effects. I also try to do it in the summer because I can stand in the grass and water some of the spots the sprinkler system misses at the same time I'm cleaning the flowers. froggyintexas

I clean 20 houses in my spare time to send children to college so I use Windex, just spray dry plants leave a few minutes and use the kitchen faucet to wash off. Works great and never had any fade.