How to Clean a Fake Christmas Tree and Decorations
Spruce It Up! How to Clean Your Fake Christmas Tree and Decorations
The holiday season is nearly upon us, and it’s time to transform your home! As you pull out those bins of festive cheer, you might notice something less than sparkly: a layer of dust, cobwebs, or that musty attic smell clinging to your artificial tree and ornaments.
A quick clean before assembly is key to ensuring your decorations look vibrant and last for many seasons to come. Here is your step-by-step guide to tackling the dust and grime, naturally.
Holiday Hosting Home Prep and Cleaning.
Part 1: Cleaning Your Artificial Christmas Tree
Whether your tree is a towering 9-footer or a quaint tabletop model, the cleaning method is the same: gentle but thorough.
1. The De-Dusting Phase (The Dry Clean)
Do this outside or over a drop cloth to contain the dust before you bring the tree inside.
-
For Light Dust: Use a microfibre cloth or a dedicated duster to gently wipe down each branch, starting from the center and moving toward the tips.
-
The Vacuum Method: For a larger tree or heavy dust, use your vacuum cleaner’s dusting brush attachment (the small, soft-bristled one) on its lowest suction setting. Work slowly, skimming the surface of the branches to pull up debris and cobwebs.
-
The Hair Dryer Trick: A cool, low-power setting on a hairdryer can be effective for blowing loose dust off the needles without damage, especially for flocked (snowy) trees. Hold it a safe distance away.
2. The Spot Cleaning Phase (The Wet Clean)
If you have sticky spots, marks, or a pervasive musty odor, a gentle wet clean is necessary.
-
The Natural Solution: Mix a few drops of mild, unscented dish soap (or Castile soap) into a bowl of warm water. Alternatively, use a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar to deodorize and sanitize.
-
Application: Dampen a clean sponge or microfibre cloth with your solution. Wipe down the trunk and any visibly dirty branches. Avoid soaking the branches; they should only be damp, not dripping.
-
Rinsing: Follow up with a cloth dampened with plain water to wipe away any soap residue.
-
Drying is Crucial: Allow the tree sections to air-dry completely—preferably in a well-ventilated area—before moving on to assembly. Never store a tree or decorations that are even slightly damp, as this encourages mold and mildew.
3. Deodorizing the Tree
If your storage space is damp, your tree may carry a stale odor.
-
Baking Soda Power: Once the tree is dry, lightly sprinkle baking soda (a natural deodorizer) on the branches, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then vacuum or gently shake it off.
-
Essential Oil Spritz: Mix distilled water with a few drops of a fresh scent like Pine, Cedarwood, or Eucalyptus in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the tree sparingly before decorating for a lovely natural aroma.
Part 2: Cleaning Ornaments and Decorations
Ornaments, garlands, and lights require different cleaning approaches based on their material.
1. Hard, Non-Porous Ornaments (Glass, Plastic, Metal)
This includes glass balls, metal figurines, and hard plastic pieces.
-
Light Dust: Wipe gently with a soft, dry microfibre cloth or a soft paintbrush (great for getting into crevices).
-
Grime and Fingerprints: Dampen a cloth with your mild soap and water solution (from the tree cleaning) and carefully wipe the ornaments.
-
Important: If the ornaments have hand-painted details, glitter, or delicate paper labels, use only a dry cloth to avoid smearing or dissolving the finish.
2. Fabric, Felt, and Soft Ornaments
-
Dusting: These are best cleaned with the dusting brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner, using the lowest setting. You can also use a lint roller to carefully pick up surface dust and pet hair.
-
Spot Treatment: If you find a stain, try a tiny amount of your soap solution on a cotton swab, blotting the area very lightly. Test in an inconspicuous spot first. Do not machine wash soft ornaments.
3. Garlands and Wreaths (Non-Electronic)
-
The Shake & Vacuum: Take them outside, give them a good shake, and then follow up with the vacuum’s dusting brush attachment.
-
Wiping: If they have plastic or metal components, you can wipe them down with the vinegar/water solution. Ensure they are fully dry before hanging.
4. Christmas Lights
Dusty lights can be a fire hazard and look dingy.
-
Unplug First! Always ensure the lights are unplugged before cleaning.
-
Dry Wiping: The simplest and safest way is to take a dry microfibre cloth and run it over the cord and bulbs to remove dust.
-
Compressed Air: A can of compressed air can be useful for blowing dust out of tight clusters of LED bulbs. Avoid water.
The Final Polish: Storage Tips for Next Year
Proper cleaning makes a big difference, but proper storage ensures you don’t have to do heavy cleaning next year.
-
Use Airtight Totes: Switch from cardboard boxes (which attract pests and retain moisture) to plastic airtight storage bins.
-
Deodorize Before Storing: Before sealing the bin, place a few dry dryer sheets, sachets of dried lavender, or an open container of baking soda (covered with a paper towel to prevent spills) inside to absorb any moisture and keep things smelling fresh.
-
Wrap Ornaments Individually: Use tissue paper, bubble wrap, or even old socks to wrap delicate ornaments, preventing nicks and scratches.
A little bit of effort now will give you a stunning, fresh, and clean display when you plug in the lights!
————————————–
Do you live in Brisbane? Before investing your time in cleaning, try our cleaning service. Our spring cleaning, including apartment spring cleaning, can help out by cleaning, decluttering and organising your home to prep it for a moreregular domestic cleaning service. We also provide move out cleaning, pre-sale cleaning, professional carpet cleaning, furniture cleaning, leather cleaning, mattress cleaning, rug cleaning, apartment cleaning, builders’ clean and many other domestic cleaning services in Brisbane.
If the thought of cleaning is just too much call our Nest Cleaners and we would love to help!
BOOK NOW: Call 0438 079 996 OR Online Estimate with Nest Cleaning in Brisbane, Australia
