A fresh bouquet of flowers can brighten up any home, especially during the cold and dreary final months of winter.

However, keeping cut flowers looking vibrant and healthy for as long as possible can be a challenge, as most arrangements begin to wilt after just a week.

Flower expert David Denyer from Eflorist has revealed a surprising yet inexpensive trick that could significantly extend the life of fresh flowers. The secret lies in an unexpected household item: denture tablets. 

Costing as little as 79p, these tablets, commonly used for cleaning false teeth, have properties that can help flowers last much longer by keeping the water clean and bacteria-free.

Denture tablets contain sterilising ingredients such as sodium hypochlorite, oxidisers, salt, and bicarbonate of soda, many of the same components found in conventional flower food.

When dissolved in a vase of water, these ingredients work to neutralise bacteria and prevent harmful pathogens from developing, which can otherwise clog the stems and stop flowers from absorbing water properly.

Without bacteria buildup, the flowers stay hydrated and fresh for a much longer period.

To use this trick effectively, simply dissolve one denture tablet in the water before placing the flowers in the vase. Each time the water is changed, a fresh tablet should be added to maintain its bacteria-fighting properties.

This process mimics the effects of store-bought flower food but at a fraction of the price.

Beyond helping flowers last longer, denture tablets also serve another practical purpose, they are excellent for cleaning vases.

Anyone who has ever kept cut flowers in a vase for too long knows how difficult it can be to remove cloudy water stains and residue. The fizzing action of denture tablets can help break down grime and make glass vases sparkle again with minimal effort.

Using denture tablets is an easy and cost-effective alternative to expensive flower preservatives. A pack of 30 tablets can often be purchased for £1 or less, making it a budget-friendly solution for flower lovers looking to extend the beauty of their bouquets.

While this simple hack can work wonders, proper flower care remains essential. To maximise the lifespan of fresh flowers, stems should always be trimmed at a 45-degree angle before being placed in water, and any leaves that sit below the waterline should be removed to prevent decay. 

Changing the water every two days, along with adding a new denture tablet, ensures the best results. Flowers should also be kept away from direct sunlight, radiators, or drafts to prevent premature wilting.

With such a simple and inexpensive trick, denture tablets might just become a must-have item for keeping flowers looking fresher for longer.

Whether treating yourself to a bouquet or gifting flowers to a loved one, this 79p hack is an easy and effective way to preserve their beauty for days beyond their usual lifespan.