How to Clean an Artificial Christmas Tree

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 19, 2023

Many people choose to decorate their homes with artificial Christmas trees, avoiding the hassle, upkeep, and allergens of using a real tree. Unfortunately, artificial trees will accumulate dust from being on display in December or in storage for months at a time. If you find your tree to be too dirty and dusty to hang your decorations on, it might be time to give it a good cleaning.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning before Christmas

1
Remove the tree from the box and securely assemble the base. Spread out the branches to attach to the tree as you go after cleaning each piece. You may wish to place a sheet on the floor around the tree to catch any falling debris.^{[1]
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2
Test your vacuum on the tree. Use an upholstery bristle brush attachment to test an area at the very base of the tree. Your vacuum should be able to safely clean the dirt off the branches without damaging the tree.
- You can also use a hand vacuum if you want a weaker suction and don’t wish to deal with a long tube or cords.
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3
Start vacuuming. Work from the top to the bottom, using your vacuum brush to gently suction dust off the branches and the trunk of the tree. Avoid vacuuming the tree into the hose or pulling out greenery.^{[2]
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- Don't allow any parts of the branches to be sucked into the hose. The broken pieces could damage your vacuum cleaner.
4
Prepare to wipe down the tree. Fill a bucket with mild dish soap and warm water, avoiding any harsh chemicals that can damage your tree. Unplug your tree if it has built-in lights. Use a soft dish or dust rag to clean the tree so the cloth won’t get tangled in the branches.^{[3]
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5
Wipe the branches and the trunk. Dip your rag in the soapy water and wring well. Use the rag to gently clean the tree, working from top to bottom. Rinse the dust off your rag frequently to prevent spreading wet dust to other parts of the tree.^{[4]
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- Replace the water as necessary.
- If you are leaving suds, your towel is dripping, or you're leaving wet branches behind, you are not wringing the rag enough.
- Allow the tree to dry thoroughly before plugging the lights back in.
6
Clean up the area around the tree. Vacuum the area around the tree to remove any dust that may have fallen on the floor. Put your cleaning supplies away.
7
Dump the dust out of the sheet. Fold the corners of your dust sheet in towards the center. This will form a sack to transport the sheet without spilling any contained dirt. Take the sheet out to the garbage and dump out the contents.
8
Decorate your tree. Now that your tree is clean, now is the time to put on your decorations. Test the tree to make sure all the branches are dry before plugging in the lights.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning after Christmas

1
Remove the decorations. Take off all lights, ornaments, tinsels, and anything else attached to the tree.
2
Make sure the tree is secure and won't topple. Make sure you can support the tree with one hand while cleaning the branches with the other.
3
Use a dust cloth or vacuum to clean the tree. Cleaning the tree will usually be more necessary prior to decorating, meaning it will be easier to clean before you put the tree away. At this point, a simple wipe down with a soft cloth or a light vacuuming should be enough to clean your tree and prepare it for storage. ^{[5]
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4
Prepare your tree for storage. Disassemble the tree if necessary. You may put an unfolded sheet inside the tree box to protect the tree from dust while in storage. Once the tree and all its parts are placed the box, wrap the sides of the sheet over the tree, then seal the box.^{[6]
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- You may also place the tree’s different sections in heavy duty black trash bags to protect from dust and damage.
- Avoid storing your tree in attic spaces with exposed insulation or in dusty garages without proper protections, such as covering the tree with plastic or sealing the box with tape.
- It is possible to purchase Christmas tree wraps that fit your specific tree dimensions. Check online or with a tree designer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Outdoor Trees

1
Check the instructions. If there are specific cleaning and assembly techniques suggested by the manufacturer, you'll want to follows those directions first.
- If you can't find the instructions, check the company website. They may have an online instruction book you can access to show you how to clean and assemble the tree.
2
Unplug the tree and remove any trimmings. Remove all ornaments, lights, and any debris that has become tangled in the tree, such as sticks, leaves, and straw.^{[7]
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3
Use a whisk broom or outdoor approved vacuum. Use the fabric attachment to vacuum dust and dirt off the tree. You can also use a leaf blower to blow debris off the tree, while keeping a careful distance to avoid damaging the tree.
4
Wash the tree. Fill a bucket with soapy water and use a soft dish rag to wipe down the individual branches and the trunk. As before, work around and then from top to bottom. ^{[8]
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- Replace the water as necessary.
- Allow the tree to dry thoroughly before plugging the lights back in.
5
Decorate the tree. Be sure to use lights and decorations that will be able to withstand the weather.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get a white tree (that has turned brown) to turn white again?

Community Answer

Remove all of the lights/bulbs/ornaments and use a handheld vacuum to clean up the tree. You may also need to use soap and water if the tree is plastic. However, some discolorations can't be removed, so you may need to purchase a new tree.
Question

Can i spray anything on my artificial tree to stop the needles from dropping off?

Community Answer

No. If needles are dropping you may just have an older tree. It is normal for needles to fall off of all trees, real or fake.
Question

My artificial Christmas tree has the lights built into it. How do I avoid vacuuming the lights up?

Community Answer

You can't really avoid it, but you can vacuum the tree carefully while holding the bulbs out of the way with your fingers.

Warnings

If your vacuum hose is too short, you shouldn't stretch the hose to reach the top of the tree. The vacuum may tip or the hose may break. Remove the tree in the sections.

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Ask someone to assist you—this task can take quite some time. Your arms will get tired and you'll be tempted to rush the job.

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Don't vacuum up anything that could damage your vacuum or puncture the vacuum bag.

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Make sure the lights are unplugged or removed to avoid electrical shock. If the tree is a pre-lit tree with lights attached you should make sure the tree is unplugged from the power supply.

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Most trees weren't meant to be deep cleaned and are not the most durable items. (They're meant to be put up and taken down once a year.) Your tree may be cleaner and your home less dusty because of it, but cleanings could reduce the life of your tree. The quality of the tree will determine how well it fares when cleaned. You must decide if you'd like a cleaner tree or a dirty tree for an extra year or two.

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Use care when vacuuming or moving the tree that you do not damage or break any attached lights. Don't use the vacuum hose to clean the tree directly. The suction will be too strong and will damage the tree.

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Attics and garages are often prone to severe hot and cold temperatures. This may cause your tree to discolor, lose greenery or fall apart faster than a tree kept in a climate-controlled area.

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