16/12/2015
HOT CLEANING TIP: Christmas Tree Special...
A real, living Christmas tree cannot be beaten. The gorgeous scent and appearance will create a traditional, warm and very welcoming, festive feel to your home.
Although, real trees do have their downside – needles! Your tree will ultimately begin to drop its needles as it ages, resulting in a thread-bare tree, and a mess on your floor. As such, preparation is always key to keeping your tree looking its very best…
Aim to buy the freshest tree you can possibly find – a freshly cut tree will feel slightly sticky with sap seeping out of the cut end.
When you get the tree home, ideally, cut the base with a clean saw by an extra couple of inches, to expose a fresher portion of the trunk.
Immerse the end in a bucket of water to which a cup of sugar, corn syrup or molasses has been added. This will act as a liquid feed and much needed drink, to give the tree an energy boost and hydration, helping to prolong its lifespan and reducing the premature loss of needles. The tree can remain standing in this solution for 1-3 days prior to decorating, which will also give the tree time to adjust wholly to the warmth of its surroundings, and allow the branches to settle down fully.
If you can, keep your tree in a bucket of water for the duration of Christmas, topping up the water regularly (just like cut flowers!). The tree will be kept alive for longer and therefore it will retain its needles for a more extended period. Use rocks or bricks to fill gaps in the bucket and keep the tree perfectly upright. Please remember to be careful with water around electricity i.e. your fairy lights! Use your common sense and always keep plugs, cables and bulbs away from water.
A tree skirt will hide the base or bucket, and also catch any dropped needles.
To clean up fallen needles, wrap tape around your hand (this can be sticky tape, duct tape, parcel tape etc.) reverse (sticky) side outwards, and pat the surface to remove the needles. When vacuuming up a large amount of needles, use the crevice or hose tool, and not the floor tool, as needles may lodge themselves within the head, causing a tough blockage. Regular spot cleaning will minimise any mess and transference of needles around the home.
Once Christmas is all over, to physically remove the tree from your home, wrap it in a bedsheet or duvet cover and tie at the base. This will help minimise needle loss onto your floor once the dead, dry tree is disturbed.
Overall, enjoy your Christmas tree.
Remember, we offer a post-Christmas deep cleaning service; so if you are worn out after all the festivities, then call us to 'spruce' up your home!
Happy Christmas 2015, from all at Domestic Bliss x