Tips for Easy Holiday Decoration Cleanup

While everyone loves holiday decorations, there’s no denying that the cleanup process can be a hassle at times. From cleaning up pine needles around the tree to removing cobwebs from your favorite wreath, you may be dreading the aftermath of the holidays.

Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to reduce your holiday decoration cleanup time. By using decorative items that are easy to clean – and storing them properly at the end of December – you may be able to reduce your workload next year, too.

Choosing Decorations for Quick Cleanup

The best way to ensure a breezy post-holiday cleaning session is to select items with fewer special requirements. Before committing to that gorgeous new centerpiece, for example, check how it should be cleaned first. When picking out tablecloths, napkins, and runners, try to avoid high-maintenance fabrics like silk and wool – opt for fabrics that can be washed in your own laundry room instead.

Here are a few other categories where you can streamline the cleanup process:

• Ornaments. Whether you prefer Popsicle-stick ornaments from your kids, baubles inherited from Grandma, or your favorite Peanuts Christmas characters, your tree ornaments should (ideally) be relatively consistent in size and style. This will make cleaning and packing them much faster.
• Beads. Fragile glass beads may add polish and shine to your Christmas tree or your staircase – but they also have a tendency to break unless carefully packed up each time. Pick sturdier options made from plastic instead.
• Lights. There’s no denying that twinkling lights define the holiday season, but when you have dozens of strands piled on top of each other, it’s easy for them to become tangled or broken. Either keep your string light collection to a minimum or find some organizational tools for easy packing and clean-up.

Should I Choose a Real or Artificial Christmas Tree?

When it comes to holiday decoration cleanup, there’s one question that tends to haunt homeowners year after year: Is it easier to pick out a real evergreen tree each season, or go with a longer-lasting artificial variant? Although the answer may seem like a no-brainer when you’re tired of picking up needles, it actually depends on your needs and preferences.

While real evergreen trees don’t have to be cleaned directly, you will have to keep the area around the tree vacuumed throughout the season, as well as keep the tree watered. After the holidays, you’ll also have to remove the tree from your house and dispose of it properly, which can add an extra task to your to-do list.

However, artificial trees need special care too. Many people don’t realize that faux trees should be cleaned at least twice a year: Once right after unpacking, and then once again at the end of the season, as the tiny needles tend to be magnets for dust, cobwebs, and your toddler’s sticky hands. You’ll also need to find a designated place to store it -- and for many homeowners, that means a dusty attic or basement.

In the end, both types of trees will require extra TLC. If you don’t want the trouble of buying, maintaining, and discarding a live tree, there are plenty of stunning artificial options out there. Just remember that you’ll need to put in some elbow grease to keep your faux tree clean!

Learn how to clean and store your artificial Christmas tree in our previous blog post.

How to Store Holiday Decorations

Proper storage is the key to ensuring that your holiday decorations continue to inspire joy year after year. By packing your ornaments, lights, and wreaths the right way, you can also prevent them from collecting unnecessary dirt and dust.

Some easy holiday decoration storage tips:

• Repurpose old household items like egg cartons, plastic cups, and tissue paper to house your ornaments and knick-knacks. As a bonus, it’ll help the environment, too.
• Use segmented boxes for liquor or canned goods to separate out your decorations. Make sure to cushion each compartment with wrapping paper or tissue!
• Wrap your artificial tree to protect it once you’ve finished cleaning up.
• Treat your wreaths with extra care by placing them on a hanger and covering them in a plastic bag.

Make Your Life Easier with Merry Maids®

When you’re busy putting away your holiday decorations and storing them for next year, it can be hard to find the time (or energy) for a proper post-holiday house cleaning. If you need a helping hand once the holiday hubbub dies down, consider giving our cleaning experts at Merry Maids® a call! We have over 40 years of experience giving busy homeowners more time to focus on the things that matter, and we’re ready to deliver the top-tier clean that you deserve.

Ready to call in help for the post-holiday cleaning frenzy? Request an estimate online today.