DIY Network

Seasonal Storage Seasonal Storage From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-156

Some seasonal items get used once a year: Christmas ornaments, Easter decorations, maybe even your American flag. They all have their own storage needs, so let's talk about caring for those special storage issues.

advertisement

Christmas lights

• A string with a battery pack should go in a clear container. If the strand is used for a special purpose (on a wreath or a small decorative tree, for instance), label the box so you don't have to wonder what its use is.
  
  

  Figure A

• Wrap Christmas tree lights around a cardboard tube, like a paper-towel roll (figure A). Cut a notch in one end of the tube, tuck one end of lights in the notch and roll the strand around the tube. Make another notch to fasten the other end of the lights. Do this with each strand, clearly labeling as you go.

• Store delicate, expensive or special light strands in inexpensive food bowls with covers. They won't get crushed or broken, and can be stacked for storage without damage.

Ornaments

Figure B

• Keep your used fabric-softener sheets. The sheets will protect the ornaments and the softener residue will repel static electricity and dust (figure B). Gently place wrapped ornaments in storage containers (the large metal canisters that popcorn comes in work great).

• Separate ornaments that are expensive or have sentimental value. Delicate elongated ornaments can be stored inside a cardboard tube. Smaller ornaments can be safely placed in egg cartons.

• Spritz silk balls with hairspray or spray starch if the fibers are starting to ravel.

• Don't overcrowd a storage box or force the lid down.

• Don't use tape on containers you care about: tape gets sticky and gummy if stored in an attic during summer months and can cause a real mess. Use bungee cord instead.

• Always label storage containers.

Wreaths

• Wrap artificial wreaths in tissue paper and store in large pillowcases or large plastic bags. If you have a big wreath, wrap a tablecloth around it.

Wrapping Paper

• Store leftover (or end-of-season-bargain) giftwrap in an obvious place so you don't forget and buy more next season.

• Long plastic storage containers work well for rolls of paper, or tie rolls together with string.

• Bungee cord hooked into the ends of the rolls holds paper in a neat bundle. If a piece gets crumpled, iron it.

• Some people store paper and ribbons in an old suitcase.

Ribbons and Bows

Figure C

• Store ready-made bows in a plastic storage box or shoebox to keep them from getting crushed (figure C). This also works for ribbon -- the clear plastic allows you to see what you have.

• Wrap a ponytail holder around rolls of ribbon to keep them from unrolling.

• Store gift tags and bits of ribbon in small containers such as baby-wipes boxes.

• You can bring crushed bows back to life! Put them in the clothes dryer on air fluff (no heat) for a few minutes and they'll be good as new.

Other Seasonal Items

Figure D

• Decorations for Easter can be stored like Christmas ornaments. Wrap them in fabric-softener sheets or place them in a cardboard tube and store them in a large canister or box. And for decorative eggs, what better place to store them than an egg carton (figure D)!

• Make a list of what seasonal items you've stored and where you've put them. See what you'll need for next year and shop for bargains.

The American Flag

There's one very important item we use every Fourth of July and Flag Day: Old Glory. Here's the proper procedure for displaying and storing the American flag.

The proper way to fly the American flag:

• The flag is flown from sunrise to sunset, unless it's illuminated at night.

• It's not flown in bad weather unless it's an all-weather flag.

• Never let the flag touch the ground.

• Never fly it with the union (star) side down unless there's an emergency.

Flag care tips:

• With proper care, the flag shouldn't need to be cleaned.

• Store it in a special flag box.

• If you need to dispose of an old flag, there are organizations that do it for you, or you can do so yourself in the following manner: Fold the flag in the traditional fashion. Build a large fire and place the folded flag in the center. When it's completely consumed, bury the ashes respectfully.

Editor's note: Americana is very popular in everything from collectibles to interior design. But you should never use an American flag -- old or new -- in decorating. There are many stars-and-stripes prints available in fabric stores; use these instead of flags.

Queen Quick Tip: Clean artificial flower arrangements before storing by blowing the dust off with a hair dryer on the low setting. For tougher jobs, place the arrangement in a paper bag with some salt and slowly turn the bag to remove the dust.