A warning has been sent to everyone with a Christmas tree, real or artificial.
Home owners must take simple precautions to prevent mould from appearing on their trees this festive season, a DIY expert has urged.
This issue is particularly prevalent with live trees, which can host more than 50 species of mould, according to Jimmy Englezos, DIY expert at Ronseal.
He warns that even artificial trees can be blighted by mould too if they are stored incorrectly. When brought back into the home, these contaminated trees can transfer mould to your decorations and surrounding walls.
Beyond spoiling your festive displays, Christmas tree mould can also harm your health. The unwelcome growth can aggravate asthma and worsen allergies, leading to uncomfortable symptoms including a runny nose, coughing, itching skin, and irritated eyes.
Here are Jimmy’s top tips to keep your tree free of mould as the holidays get into full swing.
Clean your tree
Before transporting the tree indoors, make sure to hose it down. Jimmy recommends gently spraying it with water or compressed air to disperse any dust or grime.
To stop mould from developing in its early stages, the expert also advises targeting problem-areas on the tree with water mixed with either washing up liquid or white vinegar.
Dust down your artificial tree and decorations
If your plastic tree has been stored in a dusty environment, make sure to give it a good shake outdoors before setting it up.
Jimmy stresses that you should also vacuum any decorations before hanging them on the tree to prevent dust and dirt from building up, as these are key factors behind mould growth. The artificial tree itself can also be hoovered down to ensure it is spotless.
Position your tree carefully
Sit the tree in a well-ventilated area. Mould thrives in warm, moist environments, so creating a constant circulation of fresh air will help to disrupt the growth of fungi.
Store your artificial tree carefully
Where and how you store your artificial tree is a key factor in determining whether you will suffer from mould the following year.
“While convenient, attics, sheds and basements aren’t preferred places to store a Christmas tree as they can be prone to dampness and extreme temperatures,” Jimmy explains. Instead, he recommends opting for a dry and temperature-controlled location like a closet.
To further prevent the build-up of moisture, Jimmy advises storing your tree in an air-tight bag. This is because the traditional cardboard box can absorb water and moisture, which encourages the growth of mould.
