The right seasonal decorations can add personality to your home and help create the right atmosphere for the changing seasons and holidays. To keep your decorations looking nice for many years to come you will need to store them properly. This storage knowledge applies directly to your higher end artificial wreaths and garlands as well as your pre-lit decorative piezas that you will need to close. Many people who hire holiday light installation services also plan safe storage solutions post-season to protect decorations from seasonal and long term damage.
Here we will discuss the preventative storage portfolio; pest control, proper storage containers, humidity control, and compression. With proper storage, you will prevent your decorations from fading, crushing, and tangling for many years to come.
Why It Is Important To Store Decorations Properly
Artificial decorations last for a long time, but they can be damaged over time. Most artificial decorations are made of PVC, PE, wire frames and sometimes fabric or other decorative materials. If you don’t store these properly, you can expect:
– Branches that are bent or crushed
– Color that will fade with time
– Mildew and mold
– Broken lights
– Bugs and other pests
Improper storage can definitely save you money even if you have large amounts of garland and wreaths.
Storage Preparation Cleaning
Once you take down your decorations, start with cleaning your garland and wreaths. If you store your decorations with dust, moisture or debris, damage will happen, which can be very costly.
Step 1: Surface Dust Removal
Using a handheld vacuum with a brush attachment, or a soft dusting cloth, gently remove dust. If you have thick garland, you can go outside and shake it so that the dust can fall out and debris can be dislodged.
Step 2: Cleaning Stains
If there are sticky spots or stains, use a damp cloth and some gentle soap to clean it. If these pieces are pre-lit, make sure you do not soak the pieces. Moisture can damage the lights that are in the decorations.
Step 3: Make Sure Everything is Completely Dry
Pack winter holiday decorations into the box only after checking that all elements are dry. Moisture of any amount will result in the rapid development of mildew.
Cleaning decorations means that the decorations will come out of storage in a better condition.
How to Control the Risks of Wreath and Garland Damage
More than anything else, the biggest risk to damage of artificial wreaths and garlands is humidity.
Why Humidity is a Problem
High levels of moisture will do the following:
– Encourage the development of mold
– Cause rust to form on metal supports
– Damage the wiring of lights
– Deteriorate the glue that holds the decorations
Where to Store Holiday Decorations
Keep decorations in dry and cool places. The best places to store holiday decorations are:
– Inside closets
– Basements that are climate controlled
– Inside storage rooms
Do not store holiday decorations in attics, garages, and outside sheds that do not have climate control. Such places fluctuate in temperature often, and when humidity is high, decorations will be ruined.
Remember to use moisture absorbers in your storage containers as an added protection. Silica gel packs will also work.
Stop Compression and Crushing Damage
One of the most serious issues is wreaths and garlands is the damage that occurs as a result of compression.
Store Wreaths Upright
When possible, store wreaths upright in a wreath storage container. These containers are rigid and round to limit bending.
If a wreath container is not available, hang wreaths on very sturdy hooks inside a closet.
Lightly cover the wreaths with a loose ventilated garment bag to protect against dust.
Avoid Overstuffing Containers
Do not shove garland into a small container. This type of crushing can cause permanent bending of the branches and distortion of the shape. Instead:
– Coil garland loosely
– Secure with soft ties
– Place in large containers.
To prevent flattening and to help the greenery keep its natural shape, proper spacing inside storage containers is critical.
Choose the Right Storage Containers
Where you store the container is important, but so is the container itself.
Hard-Shell Plastic Bins
Bins made of hard, durable plastic that have lids that fit tightly are the best option.
– They Protect against moisture
– Keep out pests
– Resist crushing
If the bins are clear, you can see the contents without having to open every single box.
Specialty Wreath Containers
These are circular, structured cases made specifically for wreaths. They are padded in many cases and provide shape protection.
Steer Clear of Cardboard Boxes
They get weak and soggy, and draw bugs . Cardboard boxes’ material degrades over time, leading them to collapse, and run the risk of causing compression damage to the items stored inside, and then those items are those are damaged.
Using storage boxes made from other materials saves your items from damage, and saves you from having to replace your storage boxes.
Lighted Greenery Requires Special Handling
Check the Lights and Cords Before Storing
When wreaths and garlands are stored, check for
– Burned-out bulbs
– Frayed wires
– Loose connections
Address issues before storage so you’ll be ready to pull them out next season.
Handle Light Strands with Care
When lights are removable, wrap them loosely around a cardboard insert, or a spool designed for that purpose. Don’t wrap the wires tightly, or you’ll cause damage to the wiring.
For lights that are built into the greenery, don’t fold the greenery sharply. It’s best to keep the natural curves of the greenery to avoid stressing the wires.
Label the Power Cords
Use whatever means you want to label the cords and stretchy things. This will save you time, and a lot of confusion, next season.
Pests Love Decorations
Even decorations that are made from artificial materials will attract pests.
Why Pests are Attracted
– Material for nesting
– Leftover dust
– Decorative berries or fabrics
Tips to Prevent Pests
– Everything should be in sealed plastic boxes
– Don’t use outdoor storage sheds
– Use natural pest deterrents (cedar blocks)
Do not put mothballs inside containers with decorations. Chemicals can cause materials to break down or create odors.
In a clean storage area, pest problems are far less likely with sealed containers.
Organize to Simplify Setting Up Next Season
While it’s true that storing decorations properly protects them, it also makes your life easier for the next holiday season.
Label Everything
Use big tags to mark things like:
– Front door wreath
– Staircase garland
– Mantel greenery
None of next year’s decorations should be a mystery, and lots of time goes to decorating.
Group Accessories
Everything should be in the same container, and for ease, that’s the greenery. This keeps everything together and makes things easier to set up.
Professional Removal of Decorations and Storage
A holiday light installation company can also remove and store the holiday decorations, which surprises a lot of homeowners. They take care of removal, look for damage, and provide storage in storage boxes. Removal is the most important step for your decorations, as it minimizes the damage to the decoration.
Professional storage services keep wreaths, garlands, and lighted greenery in good condition for years. Since their trained staff know how to avoid damage with compression and wiring, and the decorations might stay in good condition for years to come.
Avoid Heat and Cold
Heat and cold can weaken the materials used in wreaths and garlands.
Risks of Heat
– Warping of the plastic branches.
– Color fading.
– Weaker glue.
Risks of Cold
– Plastic becoming brittle.
– Decorative parts becoming cracked.
Keeping wreaths and garlands in climate-controlled storage will keep temperatures stable and improve the condition of your decorations.
Maintenance and Inspection
Before and after each season, close to the end of the season and beginning of the next one, inspect your wreaths and garlands.
Look for:
– Ornaments not attached
– Branches not attached
– Bulbs that are burned out
Straight after noticing a problem, repairs can prevent it from becoming a bigger problem. Maintenance that only takes a few minutes can improve the decorations condition for years.
Conclusion
Storing wreaths and garlands can be easy, as long as you keep details in mind.Keep decorations clean and the storage space pest free. For lighted greenery, take particular care with the wires and bulbs.
If you invest time taking care of your artificial wreaths and garland in the off-season, you can save time in the years to come. They will retain their color, volume, and usefulness if you store them correctly. With a bit of preparation and a good plan, you won’t have to spend time and money on new seasonal decorations.