The 7 unusual household items that can make your fresh bunch of flowers last longer

WITH spring just around the corner, it's getting to that time where flowers will be in full bloom.

And this is the perfect excuse for having a vase of colourful buds on display to brighten up your home.

Tulips in a vase on a kitchen counter. — You can use seven unusual household items to keep flowers fresh for longerCredit: Getty

Drooping red and pink tulips in a vase. — Eric's tips will stop your bouquet from wilting too soonCredit: Getty

With Valentine's Day just around the corner too, there's even more chance that you will have a blunch of flowers to put out.

But fresh cut flowers do have a short shelf life, so can start to wilt pretty quickly in water.

To help them last longer, Eric Bramlett - home expert and owner of Bramlett Real Estate has revealed his top tips to make them last longer in your home.

And the best part? It's seven unusual household items you may already have lying around that will help you get the most out of your bouquet.

Denture tablet

First up, Eric suggests dissolving a denture tablet in a vase of clean water.

He says: "These tablets are packed with bicarbonate of soda and other disinfectant ingredients that prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus, which can cause flowers to wilt prematurely."

Old pennies

Rather than taking up space in your purse, your loose change could also help flowers last longer.

Copper is a natural fungicide that helps protect flowers against bacteria.

Eric says: "The reason why old pennies are best is because they contain more copper, whereas newer coins are made mostly from zinc with a thin copper coating."

Needle

"Prick tulip stems with a needle", Eric also advises.

I saved £10K on my wedding with my savvy tips - I got my bouquets from Aldi & used car boot buys for decorations

"When it comes to tulips specifically, use a needle to pierce a small hole at the top of the flower’s neck.

"This allows trapped air to escape from the hollow stems, which will otherwise make it droop."

Fizzy drinks

It may seem bizarre, but fizzy drinkscan be used as flower food.

Eric says: "If you run out of flower food, use a carbonated beverage like Sprite or 7-Up.

"Mix one part soda with two parts water - the sugar provides the flowers with nourishment, while the acidity helps water travel up the stems more effectively."

Aspirin tablet

Crushing an aspirin tablet into the water is also a quick way to help flowers last longer.

The salicylic acid in aspirin has antibacterial properties, according to Eric, and also lowers the pH of the water, which can help flowers absorb water more efficiently and postpone wilting.

Basic rules for setting up a vase of flowers

Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle to allow for optimal absorption.
Remove any leaves that would be submerged in water to help prevent the bacterial growth that occurs as they decay.
Change the water every two to three days to keep it fresh - cloudy water is a sign of bacteria or fungus!
Keep flowers in a cool area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and drafts to reduce water loss through evaporation.

Alcohol

You can also raid the booze cabinet and add a few drops of vodka or gin to the vase of water.

Eric says: "Alcohol inhibits the production of ethylene gas, a ripening hormone produced by plants that essentially accelerates wilting. It also acts as an antibacterial agent."