The holiday season is one of the most festive and happy times of the year, but it can also be hectic and stressful. Pre-cleaning and preparing everything can feel overwhelming if you plan on entertaining in your home this season. The key to successfully getting your home ready is to plan in advance and target specific areas like the kitchen and bathrooms before the guests arrive.
Stock up on cleaning supplies like soaps, sprays, cleaning rags, dishwasher tablets and cleaning gloves and then use this checklist to get your home in top shape for the holidays.
Entryway
Your home’s entryway welcomes visitors and can leave a great first impression. Unfortunately, these areas often become cluttered and messy as family members track in dirt from the outdoors and leave bookbags, keys and mail on sideboards as they enter the house. Take steps to eliminate clutter and mess by:
● Removing cobwebs from the doors and corners of the room.
● Wiping the front door with reusable paper towels and surface spray to remove dust and grime, and using window cleaner spray to remove fingerprints. Ensure the paper towel is durable and suitable for scrubbing. You may need to go over the door several times to ensure it is adequately clean or you may also contact a professional window cleaner for the best results.
● Washing your doormat. Most rubber-backed mats are machine-washable. However, avoid strong detergents on coir mats. These mats are vacuum only. Before vacuuming, you can sprinkle a little baking soda mixed with a few drops of your favorite festive essential oil to eliminate odors.
● Removing clutter from around the door and from the entryway table.
● Using wood polish to buff any scratches from wooden chairs or consoles in the entryway.
● Using a damp cloth and dishwashing detergent solution removes scuffs from baseboards and walls (especially behind the front door).
Living Room
Your living room can be a holiday gathering space, but it is also one of the most used rooms in the house. Take extra steps to ensure your living room is a warm, welcoming, clean space for your family and friends to socialize this holiday season, including:
● Vacuum and shampoo carpets to remove built-up stains.
● Wiping down leather upholstery and brushing clean any cloth upholstery. You may also need to use a leather conditioner if the upholstery feels dry or brittle. If you have pets that climb on your furniture, take extra precautions to remove any hair and then cover your furniture with a cheap slipcover that can be removed when the guests arrive.
● Polishing all tables and arranging coffee table books or magazines into neat stacks.
● Dusting all surfaces, wiping down the walls and polishing picture frames.
● Cleaning the windows and dusting any blinds. If you have drapes, check if they are machine washable and wash them on the gentlest cycle with mild detergent. Otherwise, take your drapes to the dry cleaner.
● Disinfecting remotes or peripheral electronic devices and then placing them in a safe location on the day of your holiday get-together to avoid accidental loss.
Kitchen
Kitchens are the heart of the home, especially during the holiday season. Like old-time hearths, the smell of cooking food will draw in guests and family members. Kitchens are also often the dirtiest room in the home, so before guests arrive, be sure to:
● Empty the fridge and remove any expired food to make room for leftovers. Defrost your freezer to ensure air circulates properly.
● Thoroughly clean all cooking surfaces like ovens and range tops. Use a multi-surface cleaner to cut through old grease and stains.
● Clean all kitchen appliances inside and out, including sanitizing the handles to prevent the spread of germs.
● Wipe down all countertops and, if you have a stone countertop, consider resealing it to protect it from extra spills during this hectic season.
Dining Room
For many families, large, shared meals are a holiday tradition. You should clean and prepare your dining room if you plan on entertaining.
● Wipe down tables and chairs with a damp cloth and surface spray, and brush or vacuum any upholstery to remove dust and hair. You may need to use a spot stain remover on tough grime. Polish any wood surfaces with linseed oil or a commercial wood polishing formula.
● Wash table linens and napkins with neutral laundry detergent sheets and press them for a clean, well-prepared look.
● Wash dishes you plan on using in advance and polish silver or glass pieces, including candelabras, serving dishes, wine glasses and beverage carafes.
Bathroom
No guest wants to use a dirty bathroom. The holiday season can be a great time to give your bathrooms a deep clean that removes built-up dirt and stains and sanitizes areas like toilets. When cleaning your bathroom, be sure to:
● Use sanitizing wipes on all porcelain surfaces, including toilets and sinks.
● Use a toilet bowl cleaner and a brush to remove any stains inside the toilet.
● If you have a shower door, clean it to remove soap scum. If you have a shower curtain, check for mold, mildew or iron deposits and replace it if it is dirty.
● Use a glass cleaner to polish mirrors.
● If you have tile, use a grout cleaner to remove dirt or discoloration. Use a round brush bit on your power drill and an abrasive sugar scrub for stubborn grout stains. If the stains persist, use a grout pen to color the grout lines a consistent shade.
● Clean soap dishes and organize cleaning products.
● Soak the faucets and shower heads in decalcification liquid to remove any mineral deposits and restore them to their original condition.
Guest Rooms
If you plan on having guests stay over, prepare your guest room to be their home away from home. Make sure it is extra clean so your guests can relax and feel comfortable while staying with you.
● Make the bed with freshly cleaned linens.
● Dust all surfaces and vacuum any carpets.
● Clean the windows so they can see outside.
● Organize toiletries your guests may need, like towels and soaps.
● Remove personal items from dressers and nightside stands.
● Fluff pillows before your guests arrive.
Car
Part of your home is your car since it is also a part of your everyday life so you might also want to clean it as well.
Deep clean the inside of your car.
Use a vacuum to eliminate all the food crumbs so kids won’t pick them up.
Consider washing the carpets thoroughly.
The outside of your can should be cleaned to, snow foam vs car shampoo, consider those things before applying any cleaning chemicals on your car.
Prepare Your Home for the Holidays
In addition to cleaning your home’s interior, ensure that you shovel snow from driveways and paths, sweep your patio and wash your windows to give your home’s exterior a thorough clean. A clean home is a perfect way to welcome your friends and family this holiday season.
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