The Affordable Tool That Easily Picks Up Fallen Pine Needles In Your Home

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you're a fan of real Christmas trees, then you probably know the pros and cons of owning one. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, about 25 to 30 million are purchased in the United States each year, meaning a lot of others know about them, too! Real Christmas trees can last the whole season and bring a touch of tradition and nostalgia to your home, plus the piney smell is second to none. One of the biggest drawbacks of getting a real tree is the pesky needles. They're beautiful when they're actually on the tree — but they can fall off when you're setting it up, taking it down, and pretty much any time in between. Luckily, picking up random pine needles can be easy with a lint roller.

You might normally keep a lint roller around for pet hair and fibers on your clothing. Turns out, it's also a handy tool when it comes to getting rid of small amounts of fallen pine needles. A lint roller has sticky sheets that help make it a secret weapon for cleaning up — even for things you might not have thought of before. Pine needles will stick to the surface of the lint roller, similar to hair, dust, and debris. Although you might think a vacuum would be a better choice, pine needles can cause blockages and actually damage the appliance. But a lint roller, like this Scotch-Brite Everyday Clean Lint Roller for $5.48, is a budget-friendly alternative.

Pine needles can annoyingly get on carpets, hardwood floors, blankets, and furniture, too. Simply glide a lint roller back and forth on the area, and the stickiness will trap the fallen foliage. Once the sheet is covered, tear it off and discard it. If you have a bigger mess, you can always use a brush and dustpan first — then use your roller for strays. If you notice your traditional Christmas tree skirt has needles, it'll be a way to give it a quick cleaning. Or, if you discover a bunch of needles snuck into your car after hauling the tree, simply use the lint roller on your seats and floor rugs.

There are also some ways to help keep your real Christmas tree from making such a mess in the first place. Start by buying one that seems like it's super fresh. Avoid setting it up in a spot that's directly in the sunlight (like by a window), and keep it hydrated by regularly replenishing its bowl with water. You want it to stay as healthy as possible. But, for those needles that do fall off, just be prepared with a lint roller! It'll definitely be helpful for those stragglers that hide in carpets.