After Thanksgiving festivities are over, everyone knows what’s coming next. SANTA!! (Read in Buddy the Elf’s voice). While it can be a fun family activity to go to the local church and pick out a nice Christmas tree, they are a much bigger hassle than a fake one. Plus, there’s a good chance at least one member of your family is allergic.
Artificial trees do require a little bit of love to look their best, and some artificial pine spray to give it that natural smell. What’s more, they certainly aren’t cheap. Taking time to properly clean and store your tree can help it not only look better, but last longer.
What’s the Best Way to Clean an Artificial Tree?
It’s best to clean your tree after you take it down each year but go ahead and clean it now if you skipped that step last year.
1. Take it Apart
It’s easiest to clean a tree when it’s taken apart, but that’s up to you. Either way, make sure there are no lights or ornaments on your tree. If your tree is pre-lit, make sure it’s unplugged.
2. Stay Organized
Many artificial trees use labeled stickers to mark each branch, so you know where it goes on the tree. Make sure to remove the stickers to reuse them or mark the branches yourself before cleaning as these stickers can easily fall off or be vacuumed.
3. Vacuum Each Branch
Use a canister vacuum (with a dust nozzle attachment if you have one) and lightly go over each branch of the tree. A handheld vacuum can also work for this task.
4. Soap & Water
Next, fill a bucket with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap and use a soft rag to gently clean the tree. Make sure that your rag isn’t too soapy and wring it out often so that you’re not just spreading dust from branch to branch.
5. Dry and You’re Done!
Allow your tree to dry completely before either packing it away or decorating it. Make sure to put the sticker labels back on the branches and store it in a location that will mitigate the amount of dust it collects.
Artificial Christmas Tree Storage
If possible, store your tree in the box it came in, you can also use a plastic tub or wrap it in a tarp. If you find that you’re running out of room to store your tree, ornaments, lights, and other holiday decorations, consider renting a self storage unit.
We offer clean, well-lit storage units in a variety of sizes—all of which can be rented on a month-to-month basis. Check out our Self Storage Calculator or rent a unit online today. Renting a unit is easy and affordable. Best of all, it will allow you to show your holiday cheer, while keeping your house tidy and organized for the rest of the year.