How to Clean Delicate Christmas Decorations

Because we only display Christmas decorations for a few months out of the year, most people reuse the same pieces each season. Whether you deck your halls with vintage pieces or timeless classics, taking the time to keep these pieces clean will help them last for years to come.

Decorations should always be given a once-over before you store them away, but it's worth giving each piece a thorough clean when necessary. This will keep your tree, ornaments, and nostalgic family decorations in the best condition possible. From garlands to vintage ornaments, follow this easy guide to learn how to clean all of your special Christmas decorations.

Keep in mind that when cleaning an investment piece (like a large artificial tree), it's a good idea to always consult the item’s manual beforehand to guarantee that you won’t be voiding any warranties by attempting an unapproved cleaning method.

How to Clean Vintage Christmas 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 Christmas 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 Christmas Ornaments

Ornaments can be tricky to clean since they’re made out of a myriad 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 TLC beyond dusting, 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 Christmas Tree

The falling pine needles and dripping sap of a real Christmas tree can make cleaning up during the holiday season a hassle. But you don’t need to worry about the longevity of it, unlike an artificial version. These can be quite the investment so by taking these steps before storing your Christmas 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. You can also disassemble the different sections if you think cleaning will be easier.

Wipe down and vacuum the tree: Starting from the top, gently wipe branches with a dry cloth or a microfiber duster. For stubborn dust and debris, use the crevice tool attachment of your vacuum cleaner but be careful around any lights.

Special Care for Flocked or White Christmas 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 carefully wrap the branches in white fabric before placing the tree into a storage bag.

How to Clean Christmas 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.

How to Clean Garlands and Wreaths

The good news is that you already know how to clean an artificial Christmas tree and the method for artificial wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces is roughly the same.

Step 1: Prep the Greenery for Cleaning

Just like the tree, take everything that is removable off of the garland or wreath such as ornaments and lights. If decor is permanently attached to it, keep that in mind when moving onto Step 2.

Step 2: Dust off the Greenery

Also like with your tree, you can simply take a soft cloth and wipe dust from the faux evergreen branches. Instead of using a vacuum attachment for deeper cleaning, try hitting them with a hair dryer on low to blow debris away. While some claim you can wash plastic garlands and wreaths, it may cause them to become misshapen and it also may be unsafe, especially as so many styles are pre-lit.

How to Clean Fabric Stockings and Tree Skirts

No mantle or tree is complete with some soft touches like stockings and a skirt. Use the following methods for cleaning fabric decor items like these.

Spot clean fabric ASAP: Using a stain remover or mild detergent, spot clean any stains or spills as soon as you notice them. If you happen to have a real Christmas tree and see that sap has dripped onto the skirt, blot it with an ice cube first to loosen it up. For items that collect lint or pet hair, occasionally use a lint roller to prevent buildup.

Deep clean fabrics as needed: Stocking and tree skirts will probably need a thorough cleaning by the end of the season. First, always check the label to confirm their washing instructions. If any item contains embellishments (such as sequins or beads sewn onto the fabric), always default to hand-washing and refrain from submerging the embellished part in water.

• Knit or crochet stockings and tree skirts are best washed by hand but, if the directions allow, may be placed in a mesh bag and tossed into the washer. Use a mild detergent, cold water, and a gentle cycle. Ring them out of water, shape them, and let them air dry flat.
• Cotton stockings and tree skirts can follow the same washing machine procedure but shouldn’t lose shape in the dryer. Tumble dry them on low to be safe.
• 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 and laid flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
• Felt or velvet stockings and tree skirts should always be taken to a professional dry cleaner as these fabrics can be finicky and may easily shrink or dull in color or texture.
• Sequin stockings and tree skirts should also be a dry cleaner’s duty as they’re difficult to clean without having the proper expertise.
  

How to Clean Outdoor Christmas Decor

Outdoor Christmas decorations are exposed to the elements and, depending on where you live, they can be brutal this time of year. Fortunately, clean up is fairly straightforward, so make some time on a mild January day to cross this project off your list.

• String lights must be unplugged before attempting to clean them. Once cool, take a slightly damp cloth and run it along the bulbs so they shine bring next season.
• Blow molds should be cleaned with gentle wipes (like baby wipes). Try not to scrub as the paint is usually fragile on these plastic, nostalgic lawn ornaments.
• Inflatable decorations need to be completely deflated before stains can be cleaned with a cloth doused in mild dish soap and a cloth, let it completely dry before packing away otherwise mold or mildew can form.