Pet & Animal: How to Clean an Artificial Christmas Tree

Many people choose to decorate their homes with artificial Christmas trees. Unfortunately, trees will accumulate dust and dirt from being on display or in storage. Many use fake trees to avoid the allergens of a real tree but forget to clean the tree annually. If you discover your hands are dirty and dusty after working with your tree, it is probably due for a good cleaning. Keep reading for ways to clean your tree before you set it up!

Steps

Cleaning Before Christmas

Remove the tree from the box and spread the out the branches. Place the tree base where you want the finished tree to stand. It's easier to set the tree up as you clean—it keeps everything together.

Place a large sheet around the base of the tree. No need to put it under the tree—the sheet is just there catch any debris before it falls to the floor. When you're finished cleaning the tree, take the sheet outside, shake, and then wash as usual.

Make sure the tree is secure and won't topple. Some trees are pre-assembled, while some come in sections. If your tree's pre-assembled, make sure you can support the tree with one hand while vacuuming with the other.
- If you're working in sections, simply assemble the tree as you go.

Change the bag on your vacuum cleaner and make sure the filter is clear. There is very fine dust on your tree and you'll want to avoid spreading the particulates in the air.

Make sure your vacuum isn't too powerful for the tree. Using an upholstery bristle brush attachment, test an area at the very base of the tree. If your vacuum is too strong, you will need to find another attachment to use.
- If your vacuum does any damage, you'll want it to be at the very bottom of the tree and near the base as opposed to a more visible area.
- In a pinch you can cover the end of the hose with a piece of cheesecloth folded in half and securely attached to the hose with a strong rubber band. The cheesecloth will dampen the suction without burning up the motor. You may need to change the cheese cloth as it will also filter the dust. A sheer handkerchief will also work. If the vacuum seems to be running hot or you smell the motor you are not allowing enough airflow. Be careful not to snag the cloth on the bristles.

Start vacuuming. Work your vacuum brush over all the top and bottom of the branches and the trunk of the tree. Stay about away from the tree to avoid vacuuming the tree into the hose or pulling out greenery from the tree. If your vacuum doesn't seem to damage the tree, you can apply light pressure with the bristle brush to the tree.
- Try using a smaller hand held vacuum if your household vacuum is too heavy or the suction is too strong for the task.
- Avoid attacking any branches "head on" with the vacuum brush and don't allow any of the branch to be sucked into the hose. It could break off and damage your vacuum cleaner.

Work from top to bottom. Work your way all around the topmost branches, vacuum the trunk, and then move down to the next lowest set of branches.

Fill a bucket with warm water and a little mild dish soap. Don't use too much, or you'll have excessive suds. Avoid any harsh cleaners too, as they can discolor the tree, damage any glues, etc. Dish soap works best and gives your tree a clean scent. Many trees develop a musty odor after 11 months of storage. If you are out of dish soap, regular shampoo will work.
- If your tree has built-in lighting, make sure the tree is unplugged before continuing.

Dip a dish towel in the bucket of water, and wring well. You don't want to wash the tree but you do want a towel damp enough to collect dust and wipe debris missed by the vacuum from the tree.
- If you are leaving suds, your towel is dripping or you're leaving wet branches behind, you are not wringing the rag enough.
- Dish rags, dust rags or old t-shirts work better than terry cloth. The terry cloth rags can become tangled in the tree.

Wipe the individual branches and the trunk. Work around the tree, from top to bottom.
- Replace the water as necessary.
- Allow the tree to dry thoroughly before plugging it in.

Treat a delicate or old tree with care. If the vacuum seems too powerful or you are losing greenery to the vacuum, you can just wipe the branches down with a damp rag. You could go over it with a soft whisk broom to gently remove dust. You'll end up with more dust on your sheet and in the air but the tree won't be damaged.

Clean up. Pick up the dusty sheet by collecting the corners and folding them towards the center of the sheet. This traps the dirt in the sheet so it won't fly all over the house.
- Take your sheet outside and turn it over the trash to empty it. Wash immediately.

Decorate your shiny clean Christmas tree!

Cleaning After Christmas

Un-decorate your tree. Take off all lights, ornaments, tinsels, and anything else attached to the tree.

Make sure the tree is secure and won't topple. Make sure you can support the tree with one hand while vacuuming with the other.

Change the bag on your vacuum cleaner and make sure the filter is clear. There is very fine dust on your tree and you'll want to avoid spreading the particulates in the air.

Make sure your vacuum isn't too powerful for the tree. Using an upholstery bristle brush attachment, test an area at the very base of the tree. If your vacuum is too strong, you will need to find another attachment to use.
- If your vacuum does any damage, you'll want it to be at the very bottom of the tree and near the base as opposed to a more visible area.
- In a pinch you can cover the end of the hose with a piece of cheesecloth folded in half and securely attached to the hose with a strong rubber band. The cheesecloth will dampen the suction without burning up the motor. You may need to change the cheese cloth as it will also filter the dust. A sheer handkerchief will also work. If the vacuum seems to be running hot or you smell the motor you are not allowing enough airflow. Be careful not to snag the cloth on the bristles.

Start vacuuming. Begin at the very top of the tree since dust will fall down. Work your vacuum brush over all the top and bottom of each branch from the tip to the the trunk of the tree. Stay about away from the tree to avoid vacuuming the tree into the hose or pulling out greenery from the tree. If your vacuum doesn't seem to damage the tree, you can apply light pressure with the bristle brush to the tree.
- Try using a smaller hand held vacuum if your household vacuum is too heavy or the suction is too strong for the task.
- Avoid attacking any branches "head on" with the vacuum brush and don't allow any of the branch to be sucked into the hose. It could break off and damage your vacuum cleaner.

Work your way all around the top most branches, vacuum the trunk, and then move down to the next lowest set of branches.

Wash the tree. Fill a bucket with warm water and a little mild dish soap. Don't use too much, or you'll have excessive suds, and avoid any harsh cleaners too—they can discolor the tree, damage any glues, etc. Dish soap works best and gives your tree a clean scent. If you are out of dish soap, regular shampoo will work.
- If your tree has built-in lighting, make sure the tree is unplugged before continuing.

Dip a dish towel in the bucket of water, and wring well. You want the towel damp enough to collect dust and wipe debris from the tree that may have been missed by the vacuum.
- If you are leaving suds, your towel is dripping or you're leaving wet branches behind, you are not wringing the rag enough.
- Dish rags, dust rags or old t-shirts work better than terry cloth. The terry cloth rags can become tangled in the tree.

Wipe down the individual branches and the trunk. As before, work around and then from top to bottom.
- Replace the water as necessary.

Treat a delicate or old tree with care. If the vacuum seems too powerful or you are losing greenery to the vacuum, you can just wipe the branches down with a damp rag. You could go over it with a soft whisk broom to gently remove dust. You'll end up with more dust on your sheet and in the air but the tree won't be damaged.

Clean up. Pick up the dusty sheet by collecting the corners and folding them towards the center of the sheet. This traps the dirt in the sheet so it won't fly all over the house.
- Take your sheet outside and turn it over the trash to empty it, then wash immediately.

Keep your tree clean while in storage by putting an old sheet inside the tree box and allowing the excess to hang over the sides. Once the tree is inside the box, fold the sheet over the tree, then seal the box.
- You can also use very heavy duty large black trash bags. Put each section in a bag. Note: The tree may not fit in the box as well.
- Wrap smaller trees without boxes in plastic or an old sheet before putting in storage.
- Avoid storing your tree in attic spaces with exposed insulation or dusty garages without first covering/wrapping the tree or tree sections or thoroughly sealing the box with tape.
- It is possible to purchase Christmas tree wraps that fit your specific tree dimensions. Check online or with a tree designer.
- Attics and garages are often prone to severe hot and cold temperatures. This may cause your tree to discolor, lose greenery or fall apart faster than a tree kept in a climate-controlled area.

Cleaning Outdoor Trees

Cleaning exterior trees is also possible. Trees meant to be set up outside are much more durable and are designed to withstand water, snow and the elements. You should always check the manufacturer's directions before cleaning.

Unplug the tree and remove any trimmings.This includes ornaments and lights, and also straw, sticks, or debris from the outdoors that has become tangled in the tree.

Use a whisk broom or outdoor approved vacuum. Use the fabric attachment to vacuum dust and dirt off the tree. You can also use a leaf blower to blow debris off the tree. Watch your distance since outdoor vacuums and blowers are very strong. You don't want to knock the tree over or damage it by cleaning it with power tools.

Wash the tree. Fill a bucket with warm water and a little mild dish soap. Don't use too much, or you'll have excessive suds, and avoid any harsh cleaners too—they can discolor the tree, damage any glues, etc. Dish soap works best and gives your tree a clean scent. If you are out of dish soap, regular shampoo will work.
- If your tree has built-in lighting, make sure the tree is unplugged before continuing.

Dip a dish towel in the bucket of water, and wring well. You want the towel damp enough to collect dust and wipe debris from the tree that may have been missed by the vacuum.
- If you are leaving suds, your towel is dripping or you're leaving wet branches behind, you are not wringing the rag enough.
- Dish rags, dust rags or old t-shirts work better than terry cloth. The terry cloth rags can become tangled in the tree.

Wipe down the individual branches and the trunk. As before, work around and then from top to bottom.
- Replace the water as necessary.
- Allow the tree to dry thoroughly before plugging it in.

Finished.

Tips

Home Improvement Centers (Home Depot/Lowes/etc) sell large cardboard tubes as concrete forms. These are cheap and wonderful for storing artificial Christmas trees! Attach a rope to the base of the tree and run the rope through the tube. Then pull the tree into the tube (carefully and gently!). Seal the ends with plastic bags and tape.

Cleaning is best done prior to putting up the tree. You can usually get by with just a quick vacuum before putting it back into storage.

Ask for help and don't rush. This task takes time to do correctly.

You can use a whisk broom in one hand and the vacuum in the other. Sweep over the branches lightly as you go to dislodge the dust and debris.

If you have asthma, are sick or have a breathing problem you may want to consider a dust mask for when you clean the tree. If you have an air filter, you may want to set it up in the same room.

Most trees weren't meant to be deep cleaned and are usually not the most durable items. (They're meant to be put up and taken down once a year.) Your tree may be cleaner and your home less dusty because of it but cleanings could reduce the life of your tree. The quality of the tree will determine how well it handles cleanings. You must decide if you'd like a cleaner tree or a dirty tree for an extra year or two.

Check the instructions. If there are specific techniques suggested by the manufacturer, you'll want to follows those first. These are often printed on the box if not included on the assembly instructions.
- If you can't find the instructions, check the company website. You may even have time to send an email and get a response before it's time to pack it in for another year!

Don't use the hose to clean the tree without an attachment. The suction will be too strong and will damage the tree. Use the fabric attachment with the bristles.

Ivory dish soap cleans gently and leaves a clean scent. It won't damage the more delicate trees.

A hand held small project vacuum (such as a Dust Buster) will also work. The suction won't be as strong as a household vacuum. Make sure the filter is clean and empty several times while you work. Make sure it has a good charge before you begin. If the vacuum starts to lose it's charge you will need to re-charge before getting back to cleaning.

Artificial trees are meant to last a few years but they do lose greenery, branches, etc. over time. Consider replacing your tree if necessary.

Many vacuums use a standard-size hose. If you don't have a fabric brush attachment for your vacuum you can easily buy a replacement, borrow one from a friend or see if the attachments from your hand vac will work on your home vacuum.

The steps above for wiping the tree will also work for some holiday wreaths. Since wreaths often have other embellishments you shouldn't try the vacuum method unless you can be extremely careful not to damage the wreath or damage it with the attachment. Wreaths are not as durable as most artificial trees. A hand held vacuum with less suction may work but you should always test an unseen section on the back of the wreath. Avoid getting any artificial berries or colored decorations damp. The colors may run or fade.

To help with the musty odor on trees you can set the tree outside on a porch and allow it to air out for a day or two. Avoid really dusty areas or allow it to sit out prior to cleaning it.

Warnings

If your vacuum hose is too short, you shouldn't stretch the hose to reach the top of the tree. The vacuum may tip or the hose may break. Remove the tree in the sections.

Use care when vacuuming or moving the tree that you do not damage or break any attached lights.

Ask someone to assist you—this task can take quite some time. Your arms will get tired and you'll be tempted to rush the job.

Don't vacuum up anything that could damage your vacuum or puncture the vacuum bag.

Make sure the lights are unplugged or removed to avoid electrical shock. If the tree is a pre-lit tree with lights attached you should make sure the tree is unplugged from the power supply.