Decorating for the holidays is a cherished tradition, but it can also introduce dust and dirt into our homes. Here are expert tips to help you clean around your holiday decor and maintain a pristine environment throughout the season.
Starting with a Deep Clean
Before you begin decorating, ‘Do a deep clean before you decorate,’ advises Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid. This establishes a clean baseline, preventing surfaces from getting too dirty as guests and decorations contribute to the accumulation of dust and grime. A deep clean involves more than just surface cleaning; it should remove grime, bacteria, mold, and dirt from hidden areas, such as the refrigerator or floor. Mock also suggests dusting decorations before setting them out, including your artificial Christmas tree, to reduce dust and grime collection.
Dusting Decor and Dust Hotspots
‘Holiday decorations can gather dust quickly,’ says Mock, emphasizing the importance of frequently dusting them with a damp rag or microfiber duster. For delicate items like ornaments or porcelain knick-knacks, a feather duster is recommended. Daniel Brown, CEO of Handy Cleaners, suggests using a cool hairdryer or compressed air for tiny and fragile items. Additionally, Brown reminds us not to forget typical dust collectors, especially ceiling fans, vents, and windowsills, which attract more dust from holiday lights.
Refreshing Fabric Items
Vanessa Terra Bossart, owner of Green Terra Cleaning, points out that fabric decor items like pillows, garlands, and tree skirts are often overlooked but can collect dust quickly. She recommends giving them a light refresh to keep decorations looking vibrant and clean. Brown suggests placing fabric items in the dryer on the cool or air fluff setting to remove dust, both before setting them out and before putting them away in storage.
Using Hairspray for Greenery
Bossart also reveals a surprising benefit of hairspray for keeping holiday decor fresh. Spraying greenery with hairspray can help maintain their appearance throughout the season.
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First, Brown recommends using hairspray to keep dust at bay on artificial greenery like garlands and wreaths. ‘For artificial greenery, spray lightly with hairspray before setting up,’ Brown says. ‘The hairspray will repel dust from settling on the leaves.’ You can also use hairspray on real greenery items, such as wreaths, to help them last longer. The hairspray acts like glue to hold the needles on the wreath and seals in the wreath’s moisture. This will prevent needles from falling off the wreath and keep it greener and fresher longer.
Vacuum Tree Skirts and Pine Needle Hotspots. While there is nothing quite like the smell and look of a real Christmas tree, it’s a messy holiday decoration. Mock recommends vacuuming the areas where pine needles may fall at least weekly. ‘Tree skirts can often get messy with fallen pine needles, pet hair, and dust so make sure to vacuum your tree skirt,’ Mock says. ‘Holiday rugs and doormats can also gather dirt quickly so make sure to give them a vacuum weekly.’
Don’t Forget Candles. Candles are a popular decoration and are often seen throughout homes during the holiday season, but these items can also collect dust quickly. ‘Candles can gather dust and lose their shine,’ Mock says. ‘Wipe them down with a damp rag.’ Clean your candles as part of your weekly cleaning and dusting schedule. To prevent dust buildup when not in use, tuck candles in a pouch or box before storing them.
Warning: Only use water and a cloth to clean candles. Do not use rubbing alcohol, which is extremely flammable and could cause a fire to spread out of control the next time you use the candle.
