It can be upsetting, but it’s not a death sentence for your fauxliege because there’s still a way out. Although artificial greenery doesn’t require the same level of attention and maintenance as its natural counterpart, you shouldn’t be neglecting its upkeep.
But with a combination of tools and techniques, you can revive your fake vertical garden panels and make them shine like the beacons of botanical beauty that they are.
Let’s get to the root of it!
Similar to how a real garden needs proper care and attention (and a couple of hours of research) to flourish, artificial green walls want the same. And no, maintaining and cleaning fauxliege is not as arduous of a task as gardening, but it doesn’t mean you should bypass it entirely.
Neglecting their maintenance ultimately leads to a buildup of dust and grime and leaves your once-shining leaves looking like forgotten relics in an abandoned greenhouse. Like a work of art that needs to be preserved and restored to not lose its luster, a faux green wall can fade well before its time (unless you choose a high-quality UV Proof Green Wall Panel like we make available) without the proper upkeep.
And after reading the step-by-step cleaning process, you’ll wonder why you’d ever try to get out of doing it.
Before doing anything, you must differentiate between silk and plastic plants. While both require regular cleaning, silk plants are more delicate and do better with gentler methods.
Silk greenery, such as our expendable faux English laurel privacy fence, isn’t a fan of water, so it’s best not to get it wet as it will damage the leaves. For now though, kickstart your cleaning journey by stocking up on supplies like:
With silk fauxliege, your cleaning routine should follow different steps and guidelines to ensure the integrity of the delicate leaves. Since silk plants don’t like getting wet, you should refrain from using damp cloths or window cleaners. Instead, a soft-bristled brush, a dry microfiber cloth, or a feather duster would be ideal for removing the buildup of dust and dirt.
A rule of thumb is to start brushing from the top and working your way to the bottom to prevent the dirt from falling on leaves you’ve already cleaned.
An alternative would be using compressed air to blow away the debris from hard-to-reach areas. Remember to set the hairdryer to cool to avoid damaging the leaves and stems. And be prepared for dust flying everywhere!
Plastic greenery, on the other hand, can withstand more vigorous cleaning (although you shouldn’t take all your frustration out on it). As we mentioned previously, you’ll need a spray cleaner for wiping away grime and dirt. But before buying your cleaner, make sure it doesn’t contain any harsh or abrasive chemicals that can damage the plant’s surface.
Pick Away Debris
Remove any larger debris that might be stuck to your fauxliege before you clean it. Depending on where your fake green wall sits, leaves and stems might fall off due to gale winds or downpours. Use your hands or a pair of tweezers to pick away at any visible debris, and pluck noticeable dirt or grime that may have accumulated.
Dust Your Greenery
After removing loose debris, dust your artificial vertical garden by using either a soft-bristled brush, a cloth, or a feather duster. Get into every nook and cranny and keep in mind that microfiber generally picks up dust better than regular washcloths, although the latter will still get the job done. If there are corners you can’t reach, break out the hairdryer and blow the dust away.
Use Spray Cleaner
Now, use any gentle window cleaner or multi-purpose spray cleaner to give your faux greenery a thorough cleaning. Spray directly onto the wall and cover all areas evenly. Never dip leaves in cleaning solution or harsh chemicals as it will make the color fade much faster and damage the integrity of the material.
Wash The Spray Off
Once you’ve sprayed your fake vertical garden panels, give it some time to work its magic, ideally about 10 or 15 minutes. Then, grab the bowl filled with warm water and remove the cleaning product from each leaf. Alternatively, you can use a hose or a showerhead with a gentle stream to wash the spray off or delicately wipe it down with a wet cloth.
Wipe With a Dry Cloth
Finally, use a dry cloth to gently wipe down the leaves and remove any remaining moisture. Dry your fauxliege thoroughly to prevent water spots from accumulating. And if your greenery isn’t UV resistant, make sure you regularly use UV spray. But if you buy an artificial vertical garden from Designer Plants, you’ll get embedded UV protection, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
Cleaning your fake greenery should be a habit you develop as soon as you buy your first luscious panel. Luckily, you don’t have to adhere to a strong timeline, as artificial greenery should be cleaned on an as-needed basis. So, when you notice the leaves losing their shine, that’s your sign to pick up the cleaning supplies.
How often you’ll need to clean your greenery mainly depends on where your faux garden sits. Outdoor fauxliege may need to be cleaned more frequently due to exposure to the elements, so you may be dusting it at least once a month.
On the other hand, if your fake garden is inside and doesn’t collect much dust and dirt, you might need to clean it once in a couple of months. But if it’s in high–traffic areas, such as a lobby or an office, dust might build up quicker.
All in all, keep an eye on it. Soon enough, you’ll effectively determine when it’s time for a wipe-down.
Keeping your fake green wall panels looking fresh and vibrant for years to come takes little more than the occasional dusting and cleaning. Ultimately, it’s important to be gentle and use the right tools and sprays for the job.
Your fauxliege will repay you with revitalizing beauty you won’t find anywhere else!
