Holiday decorations hold a special place in creating the magic of the festive season, but maintaining their charm requires thoughtful cleaning and proper storage. By giving your décor the care it deserves, you can ensure it remains as beautiful as ever for years to come.
Cleaning and Storing Ornaments
Throwing ornaments into a cardboard box and hoping for the best is a time-honored tradition. It is also how heirlooms become shards. The right cleaning method and container depend entirely on what the ornament is made of.
Cleaning by material:
| Material | Cleaning Method | What to Avoid |
| Glass (smooth) | Dry microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints and dust | Water, solvents, abrasive cloths |
| Shatterproof / plastic | Slightly damp microfiber cloth; are dry fully before storing | Soaking, rough scrubbing |
| Glitter or rhinestone | Barely damp cloth, minimal pressure and contact | Anything that catches on embellishments |
| Fabric or velvet | Lint roller or soft-bristle brush; do not wash | Water (it causes spotting and shape loss) |
| Metal or lacquered | Dry soft cloth; handle with clean cotton gloves if possible | Moisture (it causes tarnish and finish damage) |
Once clean, the goal is to prevent contact between ornaments in storage. Compartmentalized ornament boxes are the most reliable option. For heirloom or glass pieces, wrap individually in acid-free tissue paper before placing in a divided container. Standard newspaper works in a pinch but the ink can transfer to finishes over time.
Shatterproof ornaments from King of Christmas's collections are more forgiving. They can share compartments as long as they are not packed tightly enough to press against each other. Soft hooks or loop hangers should be removed or tucked before closing lids to prevent them from catching and cracking the ornament surface.
Temperature matters here more than most people realize. Glass ornaments stored in spaces with extreme temperature swings, think attics in summer, can develop microfractures from repeated expansion and contraction. More on ideal storage conditions at the end of this guide.
Wreaths and Garland
Proper storage for both wreaths and garland is mostly about maintaining shape and avoiding compression. For wreaths, dust the foliage with a microfiber cloth before storing. For stubborn debris caught in denser stems, a soft-bristled brush or a can of compressed air works well without disturbing the shape. A lightly damp cloth can address specific spots on the wire or plastic stems, but keep moisture away from any foam base inside the wreath form as it can degrade over time.
Wreath storage bags or round containers designed for the purpose are worth the investment. Storing a wreath flat under other items compresses the branch structure in ways that are difficult to reverse. If a wreath came in a round box, that box is its best storage option.
Garland should be coiled loosely, not wrapped tightly. Tight coiling stresses the wire core and can cause sections to kink permanently. If the original packaging fits, use it. Otherwise, store in a long flat bin or a dedicated garland storage bag that allows the piece to lie without forced bends. Before storage, give it a quick shake and fluff to confirm no sections are already compressed; it is much easier to reshape now than after months under pressure.
Ribbon and Tree Picks
Christmas ribbon is one of the easiest things to ruin in storage and one of the easiest to protect with a small amount of effort. The rule is simple: roll, never fold. Folding creates permanent crease lines in wired ribbon that will show when you try to shape bows or loops next year. Roll each length back onto its original spool or around a cardboard tube, secure the end with a twist tie, and store flat.
Wire-stem tree picks need slightly different handling. The wire gives them their shape, but it also makes them vulnerable to being bent out of position when stored loose in a bin. Group picks by style or color family, wrap the pointed tips in tissue paper to protect both the picks and anything stored nearby, and lay them flat in a shallow box. If picks came with their own packaging tray, keep it.
Pro tip: Both ribbon and picks are small enough that labeling the container by color or theme pays off significantly at decoration time. A box that says 'burgundy and gold ribbon, picks, and bows' is faster to work with than one that says 'Christmas stuff box 4.'
Accent Trees and Tabletop Trees
Accent trees and tabletop trees are simpler to store than full-size trees but still benefit from a few specific considerations. King of Christmas's Windsor Collection (available in 4 to 5.5 foot sizes) and 3-foot tabletop trees are compact enough that most households can store them in their original boxes without a dedicated tree bag.
Before packing down, brush any dust from the branches with a soft cloth or a clean pastry brush. For flocked accent trees, avoid rubbing the flock coating. Pat gently or use compressed air. The same rule that applies to full-size trees applies here: do not store a flocked tree in an airtight plastic bag, as trapped moisture can affect the coating over time. A breathable fabric bag or the original box with some airflow is better.
Disassemble each section and nest them carefully rather than compressing all sections into the smallest possible space. Forcing a pre-lit accent tree into a tight container stresses the wire connections at branch joints, which is the most common cause of section failures in the following season. Give each piece a little room.
Maintaining Tree Skirts
Tree skirts add a finishing touch to your holiday display, and their care depends on the material and design. Begin by checking the care label to see if the skirt can be machine- or hand-washed. For skirts that aren’t washable, a handheld vacuum, lint roller, or lightly damp cloth can be used to remove dust and debris. Avoid using these tools on areas with sequins, glitter, or gems to prevent damage.
To maintain the shape and appearance of the tree skirt, roll it up for storage rather than folding it. This prevents creases and ensures it looks flawless when it’s time to decorate again.
Where and How You Store Everything Matters
Even perfect packing cannot protect decor from the wrong storage environment. Attics and garages are convenient but often extreme, reaching temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and dropping well below freezing in winter. Repeated temperature cycling is the primary cause of cracked glass, warped plastic, faded colors, and degraded adhesives in stored holiday decor.
Interior closets, spare bedrooms, or climate-controlled storage units are the best options for anything fragile or pre-lit. If climate-controlled storage is not available, clear plastic bins with tight-fitting lids offer more consistent temperature and humidity buffering than cardboard. Cedar blocks or dried lavender sachets placed inside bins with fabric items deter moths without chemicals.