How to Get Rid of a Bad Smell in Water in a Christmas Tree Stand

Removing odors from the water in your Christmas tree stand involves a quick and easy fix.

Keeping water in your Christmas tree stand is helps keep your tree looking fresh and green throughout the holiday season, as well as preventing dry needles from dropping off on your carpet. Unfortunately, the water in the stand will often become stagnant or contaminated, resulting in an unpleasant smell. Fortunately, you can easily swap out the bad water for fresh water and prevent the recurrence of bad smells.

Things You'll Need

• Turkey baster or workshop vacuum
• Paper towels or hand towel
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Remove the water from the stand using a turkey baster or a wet/dry shop vac.

2. Wipe the interior of the stand dry with paper towels or an old hand towel.

3. Mix 1 to 2 tsp. of baking soda into a quart of clean tap water. Use this water to refill the tree stand.

Tips & Warnings

• Before putting up the tree, clean the interior of the stand using soap and water to help prevent contamination and the resulting odors.

• If you suspect an impurity in your tap water is causing the odor, use distilled or purified water in your Christmas tree stand.

• Do not use fertilizer or plant food in your Christmas tree stand. Your tree shouldn't require fertilizer over the holiday season, and many fertilizers can cause unfortunate odors.

• Do not add bleach or any other cleaning agent to the water in your Christmas tree stand. Bleach can harm the tree, leading to brown, dry needles.

References

• National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Talk