Some of our favorite thrift store finds are silk flowers and greenery. It’s easy to find silk flowers and floral arrangements at Deseret Industries and put them to good use. Silk flowers last a long time and can brighten up your home, be given as a gift, or be used in many other ways.

When looking for silk flowers at a thrift store, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

1. Color is the most important quality. Look beyond the dust for vibrant and modern hues.
2. Avoid flowers with rips, tatters, or faded petals.
3. Don’t overlook flowers that are already in an arrangement or that are tangled. You may love the yellow roses in a bouquet, but perhaps the rest of the flowers aren’t your style. Arrangements can easily be taken apart and reworked with other greenery.
4. Don’t worry if the flowers are a little dirty or dusty. It’s easy to clean them off, and they’ll be just like new in no time.

How to clean:

1. Fill up the sink or a bucket with warm soapy water.
2. Swish the flowers lightly in the water.
3. Let soak.
4. Rinse.
5. Lay flat to dry.

There are tons of ways to use silk flowers, but here are a few of our ideas:

1. Go the traditional route and stick them in a vase.
2. Be creative and arrange your flowers in other containers, such as baskets, jars, watering cans, and more. 

3. Combine different sets of flowers and greenery to make a garland for your railing or to frame a window.
4. Craft your own unique door wreaths. 

5. Have a wedding or prom coming up? Make your own bouquets, corsages, or boutonnieres.
    

6. Attach blossoms to a headband or hair clip for a cute homemade accessory.
7. Decorate gifts with flowers instead of ribbons and bows.

8. Use them outside of your home to decorate your porch or honor a grave site.

Have other ideas on how to use silk flowers from DI? Share them using #DeseretIndustries.