Every year, new trends and tricks for holiday decorating emerge. And this year, one holiday question that’s stumping us is: should you wash your artificial Christmas tree?
This idea may seem superfluous for the holiday season, but you’d be surprised by the number of holiday decorators who pledge to do their part. artificial tree Rinse thoroughly each year.
Even if you’ve been keeping your artificial tree in an airtight container every year, there’s always a chance for dust and dirt (or even insects) to get in – after all, they have about eleven months to come. There is time.
Dust will naturally accumulate on your artificial tree as it is also shed outside each year. But if it doesn’t dry completely before storing, you probably won’t want to wash it right before putting it back in the storage container.
So if you’re taking the stand and washing your tree this year, you should do it early in the season.
How to wash an artificial Christmas tree
If you’ve decided to opt for a good wash, the question is how you should wash your tree. Many people recommend cleaning their tree in the bathroom. Carefully wash the tree in several sections before installing it, rotating the branches thoroughly in a tub of water.
most of tree decorator If using the bath method, a little dish soap will also be added to the mixture. This isn’t super necessary – the dust on your tree will come off with a little agitation and watering – but if you’re already dedicated to bathing your tree, you’ll probably opt for the full salon treatment.
If you can’t wash your tree before you put it up, it can actually cause some problems for people with allergies or sensitivities – it’s not just the dust that is accumulating on the branches of your tree, but the allergens. Is also.
To fix this problem without washing your tree, you can take it outside and shake it vigorously. Some people will even use a leaf blower to speed up the process to ensure that all debris is removed from their artificial trees.
If you choose this method, just be careful not to stand too close to your tree when doing this. If it is delicate, you could damage the branches if the leaf blower is too powerful.
if you still want clean your tree But can’t wash it completely or put it outside to dust, there are two more solutions. The first is to use a duster or cloth to clean the inside of each branch individually; Doing this weekly while your tree is standing will help prevent dust from building up over time, keeping your tree cleaner longer.
You can also use a wet cloth to clean branches individually, which will be a gentler method than submerging the entire tree in water.
Should you really wash your artificial tree?
If you wash some artificial trees they will actually void their warranty. This is a good indicator that you can harm some artificial trees by not washing them thoroughly. If you’re concerned about this problem, dusting your tree’s branches is probably the best approach.
If you’re tired of holiday cleanup, the question still remains: do you really need to clean your artificial tree? The answer is probably no—after all, there are plenty of artificial tree owners who enjoy the holiday cheer without ever cleaning up their tree. This isn’t really a requirement, especially if the container you’re keeping your tree in is sealed.
One scenario in which you might want to try washing your tree immediately would be if it is white or another light color. Washing it can help bring some color and shine back to the branches.
However, if your tree is already published or keep comingYou may not have many options for cleaning, as water can damage the lights and dust can discolor the artificial snow.
Should you wash other holiday decorations?
If you’ve never thought about giving your real Christmas tree a good wash before bringing it inside, maybe it’s time to consider adding tree washing to your holiday checklist this year. However, this is mostly a concern when removing bugs.
Your Christmas tree has already been exposed to the elements and will probably be fine if it is left on your porch for a few days before taking it inside.
And what about other leafy holiday decorations? For flower garlands And for garlands, which are generally more delicate, a little careful dusting will go a long way. If you want to remove any dust left on these decorations, you can use a hairdryer in place of a leaf blower.
This is especially useful if your wreath lives outside and is exposed to more dirt than your indoor decorations. Again, anything with string lights or fake snow should be handled with extra care.
