How To Clean A Christmas Tree Skirt And Keep It Looking Beautiful Year After Year

Knowing how to clean a Christmas tree skirt properly is one of those small things that makes a big difference come next December. Whether yours is velvet, faux fur, knitted or a classic fabric design, the way you clean and store it now determines how gorgeous it looks when you get it back out. And the good news? It’s much easier than you’d think. Here’s exactly what to do.

Before You Clean – Check The Label

Before anything else, find the care label. It sounds obvious, but skipping this step is how tree skirts get ruined. Most fabric and knitted skirts are hand wash only, while faux fur skirts often can’t go anywhere near water at all. Whatever the label says, follow it – and if there’s no label, always err on the side of caution and spot clean rather than full wash.

How To Clean A Fabric Christmas Tree Skirt

Most standard fabric tree skirts can be hand washed in cool water with a gentle detergent. Fill a basin, add a small amount of detergent, and gently work the fabric through the water without scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Then lay flat on a clean towel to dry – never wring it out, and never tumble dry unless the label specifically says you can. For light freshening between washes, a fabric freshener spray works brilliantly.

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How To Clean A Faux Fur Christmas Tree Skirt

Faux fur needs the most careful handling of all. Never machine wash or fully submerge it – the fibres mat and clump and rarely recover. Instead, spot clean any marks with a damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild detergent, working gently in the direction of the fur. Then leave to air dry completely before storing. Once dry, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently restore the fur’s natural direction and fluffiness.

How To Clean A Knitted Christmas Tree Skirt

Knitted skirts are surprisingly robust, but they do need cool water and a wool-friendly detergent to stay in shape. Hand wash gently, support the full weight of the skirt when lifting it out of the water (never let it hang, as this stretches the knit), and lay flat on a towel to dry. Reshape it gently while still damp. And avoid any heat whatsoever: no tumble dryer, no radiator, no direct sunlight.

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How To Store Your Tree Skirt After Christmas

Once your tree skirt is completely clean and fully dry – and it must be fully dry; even slight dampness causes mildew- fold it loosely rather than tightly to avoid permanent creases. Pop it into a breathable storage bag rather than a plastic one, so air can circulate. Then store somewhere cool and dark, away from damp and away from direct sunlight, which can fade colours over time. A dedicated Christmas storage box or the top of a wardrobe works perfectly.

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A little care now means your tree skirt comes back out next December looking every bit as lovely as it did this year. Clean it, dry it, store it properly — and it’ll last for many Christmases to come.

👉 Looking for a new tree skirt? See our best Christmas tree skirts and collars guide for the finest options from John Lewis, Dunelm and The Range.

👉 Storing more than just your tree skirt? Our Christmas decoration storage guide covers everything you need to keep this year looking as good as new next December.