Needles from the tree at home or Christmas lights in knots? Cleaning expert offers tips against Christmas frustrations | residential

We’ve just ingested mandarins, cookies, and a Christmas tree at the door already. It’s best to let the kids play with their new toys and give Christmas a break for a while, advises cleaning expert Marja. “First put away your Sinterklaas things and gifts, otherwise you will end up with a mixed bag of things at home.”

And the cleaning expert has more good advice for avoiding the usual Christmas frustrations at home.

Suppose you choose a real tree. This often means having a lot of needles in the house. How do you avoid confronting them for months to come? “Before I put the tree up, I look for an old rug or sheet,” Marja says. “In the middle you cut it horizontally and vertically with scissors, so the fabric fits around the stand. You can bend it nicely, but the big advantage is: When you take the tree out of the house, you take the four corners, wrap the tree as it was, and you can take it outside. That way you can pass the holiday Birth without a needle.

Speaking of needles: After Christmas, save some branches from your tree, chop them finely and place them in a bowl of white vinegar. After three weeks, this substance has a golden glow. For example, if you pour the liquid into a plant spray, you will get a great-smelling disinfectant cleaning agent. “It’s very good to try it,” says Marja.

Want your home to smell nice in the lead up to the holidays? Then take out the lemon and orange. “I once saw abroad how the locals made shapes out of orange peels to hang on the tree, or wrap the peel around the branch like a wreath. It smells delicious and the peels last a long time. You can also do it with lemon. If you like, you can stick a clove in it.” .

Once Christmas dinner is over, one family often ends up bankrupt. “But what if everyone does something? You serve the appetizers and someone else serves the cheese and wine. “Everyone takes something with them and the dishes go back into the bag,” Marja advises. “The host or hostess doesn’t have to clean the plates, tables and trash for two days. Great solution. Everyone is doing something and everything is shared, which is totally in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

“It’s always exciting every year when you want to get rid of all your Christmas stuff again. Can you do it neatly in a box, or do you do it messily? Especially since cables with lights always become spaghetti of misery. I use empty paper towels Myself. You can make a big loop with light wire narrow enough to pass through the tube and then you can store the wire in that roll. At least you won’t have a mess of lights.

Another tip from Marja to avoid frustration: first check if the light is working before hanging it on the tree.

What is the future for wood stoves? What are the alternatives? Expert: “Rake the fire the Swiss way”

Looking for a real Christmas tree this weekend? This is how you choose one that will last a long time: “Underfloor heating is a killer” (+)

Red lips for the holidays? These are the 8 best lipsticks according to our beauty editor