Christmas Decorating Prep: Cleaning Before the Tree Goes Up

Once the totes of ornaments and garland come out of the attic or garage, most homes skip straight to decorating. The problem is that decorations go up on top of whatever is already there, including months of dust on mantels, cobwebs in ceiling corners, and grime on the floors where foot traffic is about to increase. A short cleaning pass before the first box is opened makes the whole decorating process faster and means the finished look actually shines instead of sitting on a dusty backdrop. It also means less backtracking later, since nobody wants to pause mid-decorating to go hunt down a vacuum or a duster.

Clear and Clean the Spot Where the Tree Will Stand

Most trees go in the same corner every year, which also means that corner is often the most overlooked spot in the room. Move any furniture out of the way, vacuum or mop underneath it, and wipe down the baseboards and nearby windowsills. If the tree will sit near a window, check for any condensation marks or dust buildup on the sill, since Houston's humidity tends to leave both behind.

Dust From the Top Down Before Decor Goes Up

Garland, stockings, and ornaments usually end up on mantels, shelves, picture frames, and ceiling fan blades, so these are the surfaces worth dusting first.

• Wipe ceiling fan blades and light fixtures with a microfiber cloth so dust does not drift down onto fresh decorations
• Clear cobwebs from ceiling corners, especially in rooms that do not get regular foot traffic
• Dust the mantel, built-in shelving, and picture frames before hanging stockings or arranging holiday pieces on top
• Wipe down banister rails and stair spindles if garland will be wrapped around them

Treat Floors and Entryways Before Traffic Picks Up

Between unloading decoration boxes and hosting more visitors in December, floors take a beating this time of year. Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly, including under furniture that will be shifted for the tree, and mop hard floors in the entryway and kitchen. Houston's clay soil tracks in as mud easily during fall rain, so a clean entry mat and a freshly mopped entryway go a long way toward keeping new decorations clean.

Give Storage Areas a Once-Over First

Attics and garages tend to collect dust, and in Houston's humidity, sometimes a bit of must as well. Before pulling totes down, a quick sweep and wipe-down of the storage area keeps that grime from transferring onto decorations as you carry them inside. It is also a good moment to glance for any signs of moisture or pests before boxes of fabric ornaments and linens sit there for another eleven months. If totes have been stacked against an exterior wall, check the floor underneath them too, since that is a common spot for condensation to collect unnoticed.

Do Not Overlook the Outside

A clean porch, swept walkway, and streak-free front windows make exterior decorations look sharper the moment they go up, and they make a strong first impression on guests and neighbors. If exterior Christmas lights are part of the plan this year, our sister site christmaslights.jvshomecleaning.com handles professional installation, takedown, and maintenance, so the outside of the home gets the same finished look as the inside.