Strategies for Sanitizing Holiday Decorations, Encompassing Ornaments, Wreaths, and Swag
Because we only display holiday decorations for a few months annually, many people reuse the same items each season. Whether you adorn your home with vintage or antique decors or timeless classics, taking the time to keep these pieces clean will help them last for years to come. It's important to give each item a once-over before storing them away, but make sure to give them a thorough clean when necessary. This way, your tree, ornaments, and nostalgic family decorations will be in the best possible condition.
Follow this easy guide to learn how to clean all of your special holiday decorations. Keep in mind that when cleaning an investment piece (like a large artificial tree), consult the item’s manual first to guarantee that you won’t be voiding any warranties by attempting an unapproved cleaning method.
How to Clean Holiday Ornaments
Ornaments can be tricky to clean since they’re made out of a variety of materials. Here are some basic guidelines to follow for most ornaments that aren't made of fabric or glitter.
A light dusting will do the trick for most ornaments. A quick once-over with a jewelry polishing cloth is typically all that’s needed before storage, but if you find that they need some extra care, use the following methods to tackle each type of ornament.
- Ceramic, porcelain, and plastic ornaments can be cleaned by applying a mixture of mild dish soap and water with a cloth or even gentle handwashing.
- Glass ornaments can be cleaned similarly, so long as there are no details on the outside. You can also spray a small amount of glass cleaner on a cloth and gently rub the glass with it, steering clear of any embellishments.
- Metal ornaments that are beginning to tarnish can be cleaned with either a bit of jewelry polish or a mixture of baking soda and water.
- Crystal, painted, and wooden ornaments should only be cleaned using dry techniques, like dusting with a jewelry polishing cloth or delicate paintbrush.
How to Clean an Artificial Holiday Tree
The falling pine needles and dripping sap of a real holiday tree can make cleaning up during the holiday season a hassle. But you don’t need to worry about the longevity of an artificial version. These can be quite the investment, so by taking these steps before storing your holiday tree away, you can feel good about protecting it.
Prep the tree for cleaning: Make sure all of its ornaments, garland, and tinsel have been removed, as well as string lights if you added them on. If it’s a pre-lit tree, make sure the lights are unplugged and have completely cooled before attempting to clean it. Disassemble the different sections if you think cleaning will be easier.
Special care for flocked or white holiday trees: Never use a vacuum on a flocked tree as it can cause the artificial snow-like dust to rub off. Only use a dry or damp cloth sparingly and allow it to completely dry before storage. If you have a white tree and have noticed it starting to yellow, mix water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, spritz anywhere you see discoloration, and let it dry in the sun for a full day. You can take the extra step to wrap the branches in white fabric before placing the tree into a storage bag.
How to Clean Vintage Holiday Decor
Antique or family heirloom holiday decor pieces deserve a bit of special attention. These are the pieces that you want to last as long as possible, after all. Whether it’s vintage ornaments or other precious pieces, such as a Nativity or Christmas village set handed down to you, follow these steps to protect them.
Dust pieces before storage: A light dusting with a soft cloth (such as a jewelry polishing cloth) is usually all that’s needed before organizing breakables to store until next Christmas. While a tedious task, using a small, clean paintbrush to dust each ornament is a sure way to get into any nooks and crannies. For a quicker approach, try using an air compressor tool but avoid doing so with delicate decor.
Consult an expert: Unfortunately, most vintage holiday decorations will not hold up to water, soap, or any other type of liquid cleaner. You should only use dry dusting methods for these pieces, and it might be worth the time and effort to use a fine, detailed paintbrush in this scenario. If you’re stumped on how to clean a piece of decor, look for a local restoration professional or antique dealer who can either guide you or clean it for you.
How to Clean Decorations with Glitter
While they’re positively pretty to look at, ornaments and other decor covered in glitter create quite a mess and aren’t simple to clean. Like vintage decorations, you want to avoid using any liquid on glitter at all costs. Try the following ideas to remove dust instead.
First, dust the pieces lightly. Take a feather or soft cloth duster and lightly swipe the decoration to remove surface dust. Don’t press hard as the glitter might begin to flake off. If dust and debris are still lingering, close your eyes and blow on the item, or use a gentle air compressor tool, such as one designed for electronics.
Just like a tree, strip out any detachable items from your garland or wreath, such as ornaments and lights. Remember to consider any permanent decorations when transitioning to Step 2.
Step 2: Shake off the Dust
Mimic this action with your tree by gently using a fabric soft cloth to wipe away dust from the synthetic evergreen branches. Instead of a vacuum attachment, opt for blasting debris away with a low-heat hairdryer. While some advocate washing plastic garlands and wreaths, it might damage them and could pose a risk, especially with pre-lit styles.
Cleaning Fabric Decorations
A mantle or tree isn't complete without soft accompaniments like stockings and skirts. To clean fabric decor items, apply the following methods:
Promptly clean spots: Utilize a stain remover or mild detergent to swiftly tackle any stains or spills. If you have a real tree and notice sap on the skirt, press an ice cube onto the spot to soften it up first. For decor that collects lint or pet hair, employ a lint roller occasionally to stop accumulation.
Thoroughly clean fabrics as required: By the end of the season, stockings and tree skirts will likely need a more comprehensive cleanup. Always check the label first to confirm the washing instructions. If an item has embellishments (like sequins or beads attached to the fabric), consider hand-washing and refrain from submerging the embellished portion in water.
- Knit or crochet stockings and tree skirts benefit from hand-washing but, if the instructions allow, can be put in a mesh bag and washed in a machine. Opt for a mild detergent, cold water, and a gentle cycle. Squeeze out the water, press dry, and let them air dry flat.
- Cotton stockings and tree skirts can be machine-washed just like knitted ones but shouldn't be placed in the dryer. Tumble dry them on low, with caution.
- Quilted stockings and tree skirts should be hand-washed in cold water and laid flat to dry.
- Wool stockings and tree skirts should be hand-washed in warm water with a wool-specific detergent, then laid flat to dry or dry-cleaned.
- Felt or velvet stockings and tree skirts must be taken to a professional dry cleaner as these fabrics can be finicky and may shrink or lose their color or texture.
- Sequin stockings and tree skirts require professional dry cleaning for effective cleaning, given their complexity.
Maintaining Outdoor Decorations
Outdoor decorations are subjected to harsh weather conditions, making cleanup a necessity. Set aside some time on a mild January day to tackle this task:
- String lights should be unplugged before cleaning. Upon cooling, wipe the bulbs with a slightly damp cloth to restore their shine for the upcoming season.
- Blow molds can be cleaned gently using baby wipes, being careful not to scrape away the fragile paint.
- Inflatable decorations must be completely deflated before applying a cloth soaked in mild dish soap to clean any stains. Allow them to dry thoroughly before storing away to prevent mold or mildew.
- To ensure your vintage or antique decorations last for years, give them a thorough clean before storing them away during the non-holiday months.
- For ceramic, porcelain, or plastic ornaments, create a mixture of mild dish soap and water, then gently clean them with a cloth or handwash for a deep clean.
- Instead of using water and soap on crystal, painted, or wooden ornaments, opt for dry dusting methods like using a jewelry polishing cloth or delicate paintbrush.
- When cleaning an investment piece like an artificial tree, always consult the item's manual first to avoid voiding any warranties.
