Brits may unknowingly be exposing their families to ‘Christmas tree syndrome’ this festive season
Brits who are experiencing increased allergy-like symptoms might be suffering from the lesser-known Christmas tree syndrome as the festive decoration brings up to 50 different types of mould into your home. This can cause a range of health problems for your family while the tree is up and also spread the fungi into the decorations, furniture and structures where it could continue to fester long after the festive season.
A survey by Ronseal revealed that 1 in 5 Brits notice mould on their tree and decorations, while 19% admitted that mould in their home gets worse when they bring in the foliage. To tackle this festive downer, DIY expert Jimmy Englezos shared his recipe for the perfect mould killer that won’t affect live or artificial trees, so you can still have a picturesque Christmas without the allergy symptoms. He suggested spraying the tree and the area you plan to put it in with a 35p solution, mixing white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
You can also use washing up liquid and water in a similar way, although he noted this method can cost a bit more at 62p. These mixtures will prevent mould growth, safeguarding your Christmas, while the expert shared some other tips and tricks to ensure your festive season is free of any mould issues. For people with live trees, Jimmy highly recommended hosing it down and letting it drip dry before bringing it inside.
This will ensure dust, mould and other allergens stay outside of your festivities. Compressed air can also blow away any of these nasties and placing the tree in well ventilated areas is generally a good idea to avoid musty smells.
The expert highlighted: “When the tree is cut down, it can sometimes be kept wet and bundled tightly, which supports the ideal environment for mould to grow. Once the mould begins reproducing this can trigger an allergic reaction known as Christmas tree syndrome.”
“Mould isn’t as much of a consistent issue for artificial trees if they are stored correctly, however, if an artificial tree is stored in damp conditions this can bring dust and mould back into the home which can affect not just the tree, but the surrounding areas such as the walls. Decorations can also be affected if stored in the same way as the mould can transfer.”
For artificial trees, Jimmy recommended a thorough shaking outside before you put it up to get the last year’s worth of dust off. He also suggested vacuuming the tree and dusting decorations which can clear dust while also making it look fresh and shiny.
