Over time, your Christmas Ornaments will need a little TLC yet as some are precious, it is best to look at how to clean them properly.

 

Christmas is approaching fast, which means lots of family fun and precious moments to remember. However, it also means a lot of stress, responsibilities and insufficient time to get everything done. Still, that shouldn’t deprive you of the joy to give your home the festive look it deserves.

 

We usually buy Christmas decorations with the idea to use it for many years to come. Although resistant, it still needs to be properly stored, regularly cleaned and maintained for serving its purpose longer.

 

If you notice that some of your favourite ornaments are not looking their best anymore, there is something you can do. Instead of replacing them with new ones, you can give them a little bit of cleaning that can make a big difference.

 

Do you still keep an ornament from your childhood that brings you dear memories? That is something that should be preserved for sure. Whether it comes to old or new ornaments, time, dust and wearing inevitably leave their mark. The secret to protecting them lies in the specifics of their material.

Glass

These particular ornaments usually come with a steep price, so some special attention is required here.

 

The good news is that, although fragile, they are quite easy to clean. A glass cleaner, preferably a milder one, can be applied on a piece of cotton fabric and used to polish the surface. Some difficulties, though, may arise in case there are glitter elements. In that case, it would be best to use a make-up brush for dusting all areas first before applying the glass cleaner.

Styrofoam

This is a material that is quite fragile and could get easily damaged. Regardless, it still needs cleaning due to dust accumulation and possible mould formation. A lot of styrofoam ornaments are also purely, white which means that even the smallest flaw is visible.

 

You may be tempted to spray with your favourite all-purpose cleaner but that could only ruin the ornament’s structure. Chemicals are way too aggressive for styrofoam, so better stick to the simple combination of lukewarm water and dish soap.

 

Pre-dusting with a small brush will help eliminate all particles in otherwise hard-to-reach places. After that, using a sponge dipped into the cleaning solution, you can gently wipe the surface of the ornament. Remember that the sponge needs to be only damp and you have to dry the ornament after for preventing mould formation.

Sequin

These ornaments are sparkly and colourful but they could be a real challenge when it comes to cleaning. Before you start, you need to check what product was used for attaching the small sparkling elements to the surface. In case it is glue, it would be best to avoid cleaning with water. If it’s a thread, however, it is possible to use the styrofoam cleaning method.

 

Tip: If you don’t want to risk cleaning your sequin ornaments, you can still change their look with paint. Just purchase spray paint in a preferred colour and you will have completely transformed Christmas tree ornaments in no time.

Dough

A Christmas ornament made of dough is more than just decoration. It holds a sentimental value and is a symbol of the fun times you spent with your kids. When baked and stored properly, there shouldn’t be any issues, except maybe an occasional need for paint touch-ups here and there.

 

Despite all efforts, mould could still appear due to dampness in the storage area or insufficient baking. In order to salvage the dough ornament, you have to try and scrub the mould off with a blend of vinegar and water. Then the ornament needs to be dried (and baked if necessary), re-painted and sealed with varnish. You can do the same with clay ornaments, as well.

Fabric

All ornaments made from fabric could be washes. However, it is preferable to skip the washing machine this time and do it by hand. Since they are still quite delicate, you shouldn’t use very hot water and rely on a detergent with a milder formula.

 

Hard scrubbing is not really necessary since the ornaments are not so dirty. It’s enough to just fresh them up a little to eliminate the stale odour. You can then leave them to dry completely or speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer.

 

You Christmas tree will look better than ever when you hang your freshly cleaned ornaments. If you notice that they look worse with every following year, perhaps the storage place needs to be changed. Attics, basements and garages are commonly used but they tend to be quite damp. Instead, try keeping the Christmas decoration underneath the bed or in the closet.

 

 

Article from: Marieta Ivanova

Marieta loves writing, specifically about efficient cleaning and home improvement. She is currently a blogger for Fantastic Cleaners in Brisbane, covering everything on the topics. She is also passionate about the eco-friendly way of life and is constantly looking for new tricks on creating a green living.