How to Care, Clean and Store Guide Christopher Radko Ornaments

A Christopher Radko ornament can bring back a favorite holiday memory the moment you open its box. Whether your collection includes a new Santa, a cherished retired design or an ornament given as a gift, a little care helps preserve its hand-painted color and delicate details for future celebrations.

Handle each ornament gently, dust it without liquids, display it securely and pack it away in a stable indoor space. Here is how to care for your Radko ornaments throughout the year.

A simple yearly care checklist

• Dust gently with a soft, dry feather duster or an extra-soft, clean, dry paintbrush reserved just for ornaments.

• Test a small area first and use extra care around glitter and raised accents.

• Keep water, sprays and cleaning chemicals away from the finish.

• Check the crown and hanging loop before displaying an ornament.

• Secure the tree and limit access if pets or young children could knock it over.

• Distribute ornaments around the tree so its weight stays balanced.

• Hang ornaments securely and avoid direct sun.

• Wrap each piece gently with acid-free materials.

• Store ornaments in a dry, temperature-controlled location.

How to clean Christopher Radko ornaments

A collector’s tip from Let It Snow and Sparkle: Keep an extra-soft paintbrush just for dusting ornaments. Make sure it is clean and dry. It can help lift dust from tiny details and gently brush away loose excess glitter. This is our additional tip, not a Christopher Radko care instruction.

1. Choose a gentle dusting tool. Christopher Radko recommends a feather duster or clean cotton cloth. In our experience, cotton cloth can catch on glitter and raised accents and pull them loose. We prefer a soft, dry feather duster or an extra-soft, clean, dry paintbrush.

2. Test before dusting the whole ornament. Support the ornament by its glass body and try your dusting tool lightly on a small, less noticeable area. Use a gentle touch around glitter and delicate details.

3. Stop if the finish moves. If glitter attached to the design, paint or another decoration starts coming off, stop dusting. If a mark does not lift gently, avoid rubbing harder or trying a cleaner.

4. Keep liquids and cleaners away. Do not wash, soak or spray the ornament. Christopher Radko advises against water, glass cleaner and other chemical solutions because they can damage the paint and lacquer.

If you choose to use a cotton cloth, take extra care around glitter and raised accents. Test a small area first, and do not rub or pull at anything the cloth catches.

How to hang and display Radko ornaments

An important tip from Let It Snow and Sparkle: If you have pets or young children, consider anchoring your Christmas tree to a wall or ceiling. A gate or another barrier can also help limit access. As you decorate, spread ornaments around the tree so one side does not become much heavier than the others. It breaks my heart when a customer needs to replace ornaments after a tree falls. Some have been part of their collection for years, and retired designs can be difficult—or impossible—to find again.

1. Unpack one ornament at a time. Lift it by its glass body rather than pulling on the crown or hanger.

2. Check it before hanging. Make sure the crown and hanging loop are secure.

3. Choose a sturdy spot. Use a strong branch or stable ornament stand, and check that the hanger is secure before letting go.

4. Give it room. Position larger ornaments where they will not strike nearby branches or decorations.

5. Avoid direct sunlight. Sun exposure can fade colors over time. Place ornament stands where they are unlikely to be bumped.

6. Secure the tree if needed. If pets or young children could knock it over, consider anchoring it and using a gate or another barrier.

How to pack Radko ornaments for storage

1. Dust one ornament at a time. Use a soft, dry feather duster or an extra-soft, clean, dry paintbrush. Test a small area first, especially around glitter and raised accents.

2. Wrap it loosely. Acid-free tissue or acid-free paper shred provides a gentle layer around the ornament. Do not press packaging tightly against delicate details.

3. Choose a storage container that fits your space. You can place a cushioned ornament in its original red Radko gift box or use a sturdy ornament container with individual dividers. If storing ornaments outside their original boxes, wrap and cushion each one separately so they cannot touch or shift. Leave enough room for delicate details without squeezing them.

4. Close and store the container. Arrange ornaments so heavier pieces cannot press against lighter ones, and make sure the lid closes without pressing down on the ornaments.

Christopher Radko also lists cotton batting and high-quality paper towels as wrapping options. If using bubble wrap for extra protection, keep it loose rather than tightening it around delicate glass.

Where should you store glass ornaments?

A collector’s tip from Let It Snow and Sparkle: Some collectors keep their hang tags in a binder with trading-card-style pockets, placing each tag beside a small photo of its ornament. If a tag is missing, a photo and a note can still help identify the piece. Record its product number, name, purchase price and introduction year if you know them. Photos are especially useful when ornaments have the same or similar names.

1. Choose a stable indoor location. Store ornaments in a dry, temperature-controlled part of your home. Avoid unheated attics, garages and damp basements.

2. Keep containers out of sunlight. Direct sun can fade ornament colors over time.

3. Choose a storage method that fits your space. Original red Radko gift boxes, a divided ornament container, or a sturdy, lidded bin can work. Wrap and cushion each ornament separately so pieces cannot touch or shift.

4. Keep track of ornaments stored outside their boxes. A photo and product number in your hang-tag binder or a list inside the container can help you find each piece next season.

Keep the original boxes without filling your storage space. Current red Radko gift boxes can fold flat, though some older boxes may not. If a box folds easily, empty and carefully flatten it while storing the ornament in a divided container. To save space, lay the flattened boxes at the bottom of a storage bin beneath the divider, or keep them separately in a dry place. Do not force a box apart if it does not fold easily.

Ready to add to your collection? Shop all Christopher Radko ornaments at Let It Snow and Sparkle, including new 2026 designs and retired Christopher Radko ornaments.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my retired Radko ornament's name or item number?

Start with the hang tag. The name and product number are usually printed on the tag. If you no longer have the tag, try these:

1. Take clear photos of the front, back and bottom against a plain background, and check the ornament for a date or markings.

2. Run a reverse image search. Upload the photo to Google Lens or Google Images, then add words like "Christopher Radko" and what the ornament shows (for example, "Santa red coat cardinal").

3. Look for past catalogs. Search for Christopher Radko catalogs from the year you think it was made. Older designs may also appear on collector resale sites.

4. Ask a collector group. Radko collector groups on Facebook are good at identifying older pieces.

5. Send us a photo. If we've carried the ornament, we may be able to name it. Email us at LetitSnowandSparkle@gmail.com.

Can I clean a Christopher Radko ornament with water?

No. Christopher Radko advises against water, glass cleaner and other chemical solutions because they can damage the hand-painted finish. Radko recommends a feather duster or clean cotton cloth for dusting. We prefer a soft, dry feather duster or an extra-soft, clean, dry paintbrush because cloth can catch on glitter and raised accents. Test a small area first and use a light touch.

Can I store my Radko ornaments in the attic or garage?

A dry, temperature-controlled indoor room is a better choice. Attics and garages can expose ornaments to humidity and extreme temperature changes.

Do I need to store ornaments in their original Radko boxes?

No. The original red Radko gift box is a convenient option, but a divided ornament container or sturdy, lidded bin may use your space more efficiently. Wrap and cushion each ornament separately, keep pieces from touching, and avoid pressing against delicate details. You can keep foldable gift boxes flat for future use.

What should I wrap glass ornaments in?

Acid-free tissue or acid-free paper shred is a good choice. Christopher Radko also recommends cotton batting or high-quality paper towels. Avoid packing so tightly that you press against delicate details.

Care note: These are general care recommendations based on Christopher Radko’s published guidance and our experience with ornaments. Every ornament is different, especially those with delicate glitter or raised details. Use your own judgment, test any dusting method gently on a small area first, and stop if the finish or decorations begin to move.

Written by Lisa, owner of Let It Snow and Sparkle. Last updated September 2026.