Putting up and decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the winter, but it’s often forgotten that the decorations spend most of the year out of sight, and out of use. Why not follow these simple steps to ensure your artificial Christmas tree gives you many years of use?
The first step is to remove all baubles and other decorations, and unplugging the lights. If your tree isn’t the pre-lit type, then you should remove the lights very carefully. They should be stored separately to avoid tangling and damaging the wire. Ideally, baubles should go back into their original containers, or be stored in sectioned boxes.
Next, use your hands to smooth the foliage on each branch before detaching each section. Press the branches together towards the trunk. At this point, you might like to secure each section with string.
A storage bag is ideal for keeping artificial Christmas trees free from dust, dirt and insects. Alternatively, if you have the box it came in, you could use that, but do make sure to seal the box well with strong tape, using more tape to cover any gaps or holes that exist.
Think carefully about where to keep your tree for the next 11 months. Storing it in a cool, dry place will help to stop it developing a musty odour, and should protect it from damage that could be caused by the presence of moisture. To help ward off bad smells, you could add a pot of unused coffee grounds or baking powder to the storage box or bag too.
