Do you Dry Clean your Christmas Tree Skirt?

[diznee25]

This past season was the 5th year we've used our tree skirt and stockings. They are velvet and say 'Dry Clean' only. Never had this stuff cleaned....I meant to get these items cleaned back in November, but it didn't happen.

I called a dry cleaning place, and got a quote of $15-$20 for the tree skirt. (Forgot to ask about stockings.)

Is that a good price? What do you spend to get this stuff dry cleaned? And how often? Every 5 years is probably too long, but I get lazy! (But in my defense, I do store these items with care. They just look a bit dingy.)

diznee25

 

[poohfriend77]

Honestly, it never even occurred to me! Maybe that says too much about my housekeeping skills in general.

My skirt is at least 9 years old, and the kids' stockings are 9 and 7 years old. The stockings don't seem dirty at all. This year, I noticed some tree sap on the skirt, but I just spot-cleaned that with warm water and a towel.

I'm not sure I'd pay $20 to have mine cleaned, unless it had some sentimental value (mine doesn't really).

 

[Handbag Lady]

No, I would never dry clean a tree skirt. I usually have so many presents (for others) on it you can barely see it.

We also use a fake tree (apartment living=no tree sap on the hardwood floors!) so the most a tree skirt gets is dust.

I do vacuum it, though!

 

[denisenh]

are they white items?
if they are expensive or have sentimental value and look dirty, yes i would have them cleaned.
if not expensive or sentimental, i would attempt to wash them in the washing machine with cold water, handwash cycle using woolite.
depending on what the skirt backing is i may use the dryer on low heat. the stockings could be hung by the chimney with care.

(jk, lay them flat to dry)

 

[Kimberle]

My skirt says dry clean only. I always put it in the washer. It comes out just fine. I hate the chemicals in dry cleaning. Plus, it would be cheaper to just buy a new skirt every couple of years.

 

[Meriweather]

I've never cleaned mine...........it doesn't look dirty. Presents sit on top of it most of the time.

 

[tvguy]

Kids stockings are 26 and 22 years old, DW and Mine are 31 years old, never been cleaned.
Tree skirt my wife made of washable material, and after the cat left a gift on it this year, it got washed.

 

[happygirl]

I've never cleaned mine...........it doesn't look dirty. Presents sit on top of it most of the time.

 

[diznee25]

All of you make me feel better! Glad to see no one harping on me for not washing these items in the 5 years I've had them.....I was a bit nervous about that!

Guess I'll just store them without Dry Cleaning them. Yea, $20 does seem kinda pricey. I just got out the lint roller....works well on velvet!

Our tree skirt is red w/white trim, and stockings are same. I got the set at Pottery Barn 5 years ago. It's pretty good quality, and the white part is still very white.

Anyway, back in storage until next Christmas. Thanks for the replies!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I would use one of the home dry cleaning sheets (that you put in the dryer with the item) before I'd pay $15-$20. I think the sheets run less than $5 for 3 or 4 to a box.

We haven't cleaned ours. Still looks as clean as the day we bought it. No one handles it except me --- to place it, packages sit on it, then it's packed away.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Naaaa, threw it in the washer and dryer... came out fine

 

[SaraJayne]

Our tree skirt was handmade by my mom and it goes in the washer every couple years.

 

[aprilgail2]

When mine looks dirty I toss it away and buy a new one- no way am I dry cleaning anything.

 

[SLP958]

No, I have never cleaned mine. I have never once thought about if it was dirty or not. I did buy a new one 2 years ago because the old one looked rough.

I guess I would just buy a new one.

 

[Tink575]

I vacuum ours and use a garment steamer on it, air it out and pack in a plastic bag. Mine is also about 5 years old, plaid, decorated quilted type and was expensive, purchased on an after Christmas clearance.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[low-key]

I dont have a Christmas tree Skirt, but have palm tree underwear and I wash them

 

[denisem]

I would use one of the home dry cleaning sheets (that you put in the dryer with the item) before I'd pay $15-$20. I think the sheets run less than $5 for 3 or 4 to a box.

We haven't cleaned ours. Still looks as clean as the day we bought it. No one handles it except me --- to place it, packages sit on it, then it's packed away.

Yes, I use one of those Dryel dry-cleaning kits that works well on freshening my household dry-clean-only items (decorative throw pillows, shower curtains, etc.).

I dont have a Christmas tree Skirt, but have palm tree underwear and I wash them

We want pictures!

Anyone else remember the old episode of "Designing Women" when Bernice wore her Christmas tree skirt??