A vacation isn't a vacation without everything we show. From decorated Christmas trees to menorahs and other decorations, we pull these items out of storage every year to brighten up the holidays. If you plan on keeping them for years, roll up your sleeves, you already have some work ahead of you.
- What to Clean and How: Artificial Christmas trees, artificial wreaths, artificial garlands , Hanukkah menorahs, Christmas decorations, tree skirts
Artificial Christmas trees
If you use an artificial tree every year, it will naturally accumulate dust , which can cause allergies, says Patrice Boyce, owner of residential cleaning service From The Heart Cleaning Solutions based in Greensboro, North Carolina. That's why it's best to start cleaning by taking the bare tree outside to avoid spreading dust throughout the house. Remember to wear a mask during this surgery.
Using a clean microfiber cloth , preferably large enough to hold with both hands, clean in sections, recommends Boyce, assuming your artificial tree has multiple parts (if not, just work from top to bottom) . "Wrap your hands with the fabric around each limb," she says, in a motion reminiscent of combing your hair. Inspect each section and gently wipe away any residue, such as tinsel or glitter, with a cloth or even a soft feather duster, says Katerina Mayfield, partnership coordinator at King of Christmas , a holiday decorations provider. Use caution, both experts say, "especially with pre-lit trees, to avoid pulling on the wires during the cleaning process," says Mayfield, or ripping fibers from the trees.
Go branch by branch, "pulling everything out and making sure nothing is broken or damaged before you wrap it," says Walters. Move "outward from the base of the branch." This means no [deposits] get stuck deeper, closer to the frame.
Artificial wreaths
Hold the crown in one hand. Work around the circle using a soft microfiber cloth or cloth on the other side. " Microfiber dusters that feel like you're touching them with your fingers help get to those [difficult] places" to catch dust and dirt, says Boyce. "Use a back-and-forth motion to dust and walk around the wreath." You can blast small light bulbs with a microfiber cloth, says Walters, since they often contain dust. The main goal is to be careful not to pull on the tips or damage the circular structure, says Mayfield, adding that stubborn residue should be scrubbed with a toothbrush. Choose a storage container that won't force the wreath to lose its natural shape.
artificial garland
You approach an artificial tree garland the same way you would a wreath: with a dry cloth or microfiber cloth in your hand. If decorations are removable, you can remove and dust them one at a time. "If it's a 360-degree garland that's not flat, just pick one end, then start in the middle and pull it toward you to fluff it up and catch the dust that gets stuck in the could have accumulated over the course of the season," says Walters. Boyce says when your string lights are on, "Take your time with it, and I would definitely clean every little bulb as you come by and check them for errors." »
Photo: Getty Images Photo : Getty Images
Hanukkah menorah
Menorahs are made from many different materials such as wood or metals such as copper, brass, nickel or silver, to name a few. Therefore, read all care instructions before attempting to clean them. To keep a metal menorah looking beautiful, you can purchase varnish to treat it. "If you have a table menorah with a real silver or gold finish, be sure to polish it properly so it helps more than it hurts," says Walters.
When cleaning wax, time is of the essence. "Don't let it," says Miriam Gopin, administrator and director of the Chabad Women's Organization at the Chabad House of Greater Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. "As soon as we stop using it, I clean it immediately. » To do this, spray your silver menorah with extremely hot water. It's best to do this in a trash can near a sink to catch the waxy water and avoid pouring the wax down the drain. "Pour hot water over it and clean immediately. The wax melts, spreads and I clean it," he explains. "Pour it back in to remove the thin layer of wax, and when I do that I usually have a roll of paper towels next to me" to clean myself up.
Another easy way to clean wax is to place the menorah in the freezer after use or, if you live in a cold climate, put it outside after blowing out and removing the candles . "It hardens or makes the wax brittle, then it loosens and you can get rid of it," says Gopin.
Christmas decorations
Cleaning your jewelry from the top, where the hooks are, to the bottom will help it last longer, but its longevity also depends on how it is stored. When it comes to storage boxes, "you definitely want something that will support each decor individually, especially if it's one of those particular decors," says Boyce, who also stages homes for clients and carefully recommends storage boxes. Pack the priceless items. in bubble wrap, with the smooth side facing for decoration. "You don't want the ornaments to stick together when you store them." How to clean different types of ornaments:
Glass
With glass, "it's especially important to be gentle," says Walters, who recommends using a microfiber cloth from top to bottom. To remove stains or stains, wipe the trim with a mild window cleaner like Windex with a cloth, then "take a clean cloth to remove the shine," says Boyce.
Sparkling
According to Boyce, a car detailing brush designed to remove dust from a car's interior is ideal for cleaning glitter-covered trim. "They're really big and soft," he explains. "Almost like a soft brush to remove any excess glitter that may have come loose and to remove any dust that may have gotten into those little crevices."
Wooden
Boyce recommends warm water and a soft cloth for wood paneling. "If it's not finished yet, it can get caught on the microfiber cloth, so you want to be sure to follow the grain of the wood." For finished wood in particular, I would use Murphy's Oil Soap in a spray bottle: "You can apply a stain on Spray the microfiber cloth and use it on all your wood paneling." »
Gold, silver or metal.
Cleaning your jewelry with water or mild soap can help with tarnishes, says Boyce, but using a liquid jewelry cleaner specifically for your metal can provide a better shine. Follow the instructions included with any jewelry cleaning products you purchase. "I would just treat it like a piece of jewelry," Boyce says. "A jewelry cleaner will definitely make those gold and silver ornaments shine." The Walters team recommends cleaning jewelry pieces with jewelry cloths. "They have special fabrics for different metals," he says.
Tree skirts
If your skirt doesn't have a care label and you don't know how to clean it, Boyce says, "I would say the safest thing you can do with a special skirt or a complex or valuable tree is to dry clean it ." ." . . Make sure it's a reputable dry cleaner.
You can also dust the tree trunk to remove dirt. "We recommend gently dusting some [dirty] areas or using a slightly damp cloth and, if possible, using a handheld vacuum or lint roller," says Mayfield.
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