The Post-Holiday Hangover: Cleanup & Safety

The guests have gone home. The cookies are (mostly) eaten. And now, you’re staring at a living room covered in pine needles, empty boxes, and tangled lights.

Welcome to the "Post-Holiday Hangover."

While you might be tempted to just shove everything into a plastic bin and deal with it next December, this week is actually a critical window for home maintenance. Taking the decorations down is your best opportunity to spot hidden damage, prevent fire hazards, and reset your home for the rest of winter.

Here is your Apex Restoration guide to curing your home’s holiday hangover safely.

1. The Electrical "Autopsy": Inspect Before You Store
You are about to pack your lights away for 11 months. If you pack away a damaged cord now, you are packing away a future fire hazard.

The Inspection: As you unstring the lights, run the entire length of the cord through your hand. Feel for nicks, cuts, or frayed insulation caused by wind or pests.

The "Warm" Test: If you noticed any cords or plugs that felt hot to the touch while they were running, do not pack them. Throw them away. Heat damage is internal and cumulative; it won't fix itself in the box.

The Verdict: If a strand is damaged, cut the cord (so you aren't tempted to use it next year) and toss it.

2. The Tree Exit Strategy
Getting a dry, brittle Christmas tree out of the house is often harder than getting it in. It is a shedding, scratching fire hazard.

Don't Drag It: Dragging a dry tree across hardwood floors can leave deep scratches from the stand or sap deposits that are a nightmare to clean. Pro Tip: Wrap the tree in an old sheet or a specialized tree bag before you move it. This traps the needles and sap.

Disposal in Utah: Do not leave the tree leaning against the side of your house or in the garage. It is dry fuel waiting for a spark. Most Utah cities (including Salt Lake, Murray, and Sandy) have curbside pickup or drop-off locations this week. Check your city’s website and get it off your property.

3. The "Damage Check" Walkthrough
Decorations can hide—or cause—minor damage. As you take them down, look for these three things:

Soot Stains: Check the carpet near the fireplace and the walls above your candles. If you see dark soot stains, do not scrub them with water (which smears it). Use a vacuum with a hose attachment to lift the particles first.

Command Strip Peeling: If a sticky hook pulls the drywall paper or paint off, don't just paint over it. You need to seal the torn paper with a primer first, or the paint will bubble.

Roof Clip Damage: If you used clips on your shingles, check the edges where they were attached. Did any shingles crack or lift? A damaged shingle now is a roof leak in February.

4. The "Lung" Reset: Change Your Filter
Your furnace just ran a marathon. It dealt with extra cooking smoke, a house full of dust-kicking guests, and possibly a shedding tree.

The Fix: Change your furnace filter today. You will be shocked at how dirty it is. A fresh filter protects your furnace and helps clear out the remaining holiday dust and allergens.

5. The Sap Trap
If you find sticky pine sap on your carpet or hardwood, do not use harsh chemicals.

For Carpet: Freeze it with an ice cube until it’s brittle, then pick it off. Blot the rest with a little rubbing alcohol.

For Wood: Use an oil-based soap (like Murphy’s) or even a little vegetable oil to dissolve the sap gently without ruining the finish.

Start Fresh
The holidays are exhausting for you and your home. Take this weekend to reset, repair, and rest. You’ve survived the chaos season!

As we move deeper into January, the risk shifts from fire to ice. Stay tuned for next week's guide on preparing for the "Deep Freeze."