WwW: Dirty Glasses and Your Flowers?!

Wednesdays
with Wayne
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What Would Wayne Do...

 

Question:  “How do I remove the white film that comes in flower vases after repeated use? Will it hurt the flowers if I just the vase? ~Mary, Lindsborg

Wayne says:

What a great questions and thank you for recognizing the importance of using a clean container as part of your flower care process. Remember: You don’t want to drink out of a dirty glass – your flowers don’t either!

If there’s one thing with which every florist is more than familiar, it’s a dirty vase that seems impossible to get clean.  When vases and buckets are not clean and a residue is allowed to form, the residue is comprised of dirt, floral waste products and bacteria. That bacterium can clog the stems of otherwise healthy flowers and mean a sentence of premature death for flowers.

Here are a few methods I have used to get a glass vase looking new again.

Ø  Of course, soap and water can do wonders. You might have to get a bottle brush to reach into the narrow openings.

Ø  If the film layer is thick and not coming loose, add a scoopful of rice or sand (be careful with sand as it may scratch the interior of the glass). Cover and shake the container. The rice/sand will act as scrubbers to loosen tough layers.
 

  Ø  Denture tablets can also aid in the removal of mineral deposits often found inside of flower vases.  Just:

   Fill the vase with water.  

                     Drop in a denture tablet. Use two tablets for large vases.  

   Allow it to set and work overnight. 
 

Ø  This same method can be used with white vinegar.
 

However, if you prefer not to reuse your old vase, or you would like to recycle the older vases to make room for the new, The Flower Nook is happy to accept your discards.  We will even exchange your returns for some loose flowers to take home and enjoy as a thank you for your recycling efforts and for thinking of us with your floral needs.

If you have a question, feel free to email us at flowernooksalina@gmail.com or stop by The Flower Nook.  If your question is featured on our blog, you could win a prize!