If you celebrate Christmas, then you’ll most likely decorate a Christmas tree. There is nothing more beautiful than a pine tree lit up and decorated with endless amounts of garland and ornaments. However, when Christmas is over, you may be left with a giant mess. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent your pine tree from shedding. Rogue needles are simply part of the deal when you bring a live tree into your home. Here are some tips to make the cleanup process easier after Santa comes.

Vacuuming

You may think this is the most obvious answer, but there are some things you need to be aware of. If you are using your home vacuum, empty the bag or canister first. Pine needles get bulky very quickly and you vacuum will perform better when it is empty. Also, Be aware of your attachments. Don’t use the brush because the needles will get stuck to the bristles. The hose will allow for more space for the pine needles to move from floor to chamber, allowing for a more effective cleanup. If you have spare time, and money, rent a shop vac. Commercial models have more suction power than your standard home vacuum, making your job easier and faster.

Sweeping

This is the perfect choice for cleaning up needles on your hardwood or vinyl floor. However, like with the brush attachment on your vacuum, be wary of the type of broom you use. A rubber broom works best. You’ll be able to sweep your needles up easier because needles are less likely to stick to rubber over bristles. You can even use a rubber broom on your carpet. Pull the broom towards you and it will literally pull the needles up and out of the nap of your carpet. The flexible bristles get down deep and form a wall to ensure that no pine is left behind.

Lint Rollers

Have you seen an oversized lint roller? These are great for any furniture that has gotten needled. You can even use them on floors. Simply roll it across your floor at different angles and directions. If you have back problems, you can rig your lint roller to a broom or long-handled paint roller and do the same job. Or you can attach duct tape or double-sided tape to the paint roller and effectively do the same thing.

Cleaning Sap

Sap is probably the worst enemy of your cleaning adventure. Sap acts as a natural adhesive, making all of your needles stick to your carpet and more difficult to remove. There are a few things you can do to clean up sap. Sprinkle baking soda on the area and wait 10 minutes before picking up the sticky needles. You can also apply a dry foam carpet shampoo and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, take a stiff brush to dislodge the needles, then vacuum. No matter what you use, always test it in a small, discreet spot to make sure it won’t damage the fabric.

If you notice sap on your hardwood, olive oil will be a safe bet. You can also use WD-40 and rubbing alcohol but make sure you do a spot test to be sure they won’t damage the floors.

Whether it is an antique oriental rug, wall-to-wall carpeting, hardwood, laminate, or luxury vinyl, your floor should represent your own unique style and personality.  The experts at David Tiftickjian & Sons will help you find the ideal floor for your home or business.