‘I washed my artificial Christmas tree – and didn’t expect what I found’

A woman has shared why decided to give her artificial Christmas tree a good clean online – and revealed she was left stunned by what she found after sprucing it up. As the festive season approaches each year, many of us venture into our attics, lofts, garages, or other storage spaces to retrieve our artificial Christmas trees – they can often be much easier to manage and set up than real ones.

You may have purchased an artificial beauty last year that you’re ready to set up again, or perhaps you’ve had the same tree in the family for years. But, have you ever wondered how dirty your Christmas tree gets each December? One woman, Tanja Bentley Ward, recently took to social media to share the revolting sight she discovered after giving her artificial tree a bath. The results were “much worse than I thought,” said Tanja.

This came after she noticed that her tree was looking dusty last year – and it needed a makeover. Tanja, who shared her experience on her Instagram page @tanjatalks, showed herself placing each section of the Christmas tree into her bathtub and rinsing the branches. The bath water turned a dark brown, and she hung up the branches to dry. She said: “How dusty could it possibly be? ! Last year, I mentioned how dusty the Christmas tree appeared. This year, Johnny set up a system for me to rinse and dry the branches before we decorate the house.

“People have been quick to share their thoughts, with many confessing they’ve never considered cleaning their tree. “My tree’s dust is none of my business,” one person quipped. Others pitched in with advice, with one suggesting: “Take it outside and spray it with the hose before it gets too cold out, dry it off with the leaf blower then take it in and decorate it.” “I vacuum mine every year,” another revealed. Yet another said: “I take mine outside and use the leaf blower on it.”

According to the renowned cleaning guru site The Spruce, it’s advisable to give our artificial trees a thorough clean annually. An expert advised: “Clean a pre-lit or unlit Christmas tree at the end of the holiday season and again when it is reassembled.” Make sure you unplug your tree and remove all decorations before attempting to clean it.

In conclusion, giving your artificial Christmas tree a good clean can reveal just how much dust and dirt it has accumulated over time. Taking the time to wash and dry the branches can not only help with hygiene but also ensure your tree looks fresh and vibrant for the festive season. So, don’t forget to add tree cleaning to your holiday to-do list this year!