Taking your Christmas tree down? Experts recommend this one extra step which 'keeps decorations fresh and helps deter pests'

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It stops them smelling musty, too

Box of holiday decorations
Pine cones in box (Image credit: Shutterstock)

'Tis the season to take down your Christmas decorations. And according to experts, there's a simple step that can keep them safe for another year of merriment.

According to David Sumner, Sales Manager at Christmas Tree World, adding a lavender sachet to your storage boxes will not only keep that musty basement smell away from your decorations, but will also deter pests.

Fresh and pest-free

Your Christmas decorations can offer the perfect home for pests like mice and rats. Full of fabrics to snack on and even tinsel to provide warmth and insulation, all it can take is an easily broken-into box for you to unveil your sentimental decorations next year, only to find that pests have beaten you to it.

According to Sumner, adding a sachet of lavender as you store your decorations is an ideal way to keep them in pristine condition

"A natural scent keeps decorations fresh and helps deter pests," says Sumner. "Your decorations should smell festive, not musty, when they come out again."

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Why it works

Lavender is a handy natural solution for keeping pests at bay. This is for two key reasons: firstly, its chemical composition, while soothing for humans, can be overwhelming to most insects. This means it acts as a repellent, deterring pests from making their home anywhere that's too highly fragranced.

Lavender also acts to cover smells that may attract rodents, such as musty or rotting odors, meaning pests are less drawn to your storage boxes in the first place.

Storing your Christmas tree correctly

Christmas tree with decorations

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you've opted for an artificial tree, there's a trick to storing it correctly.

According to Sumner, “After the first season of use, your tree will have fluffed up," which means you need to use special storage to protect it from damage.

"Using a storage bag is an effective way to protect the branches from damage and protect them from dust, pests, and environmental factors," he says.

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Millie Fender
Millie Fender
Managing Editor, Homes

Millie is the Managing Editor of Homes at Tom's Guide. She's been reviewing home tech for over five years, testing everything from coffee makers to the latest vacuum cleaners.

With particular expertise in cookware and kitchen appliances, you'll struggle to find an air fryer Millie hasn't tested. She's traveled the world reporting on the latest home innovations and product launches, learning how to use pizza ovens from Pizzaiolos in Naples, and touring the De'Longhi factory in Venice. Millie is also an SCA-Certified barista.

When she's not reporting on home and appliance trends, Millie loves watching live music. She's currently learning the guitar - naturally, she plays a Fender.

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