The holiday season is here and if you’re hosting then the pressure is on. There are desserts that need baked, presents that still need to be wrapped, and everyone has those family members that show up early to everything. We’ve put together our best holiday cleaning hacks to lessen the stress so you have more time to enjoy the cheerfulness and joy of the season.
Start Now
Eliminate day-of cleaning altogether by dividing up what needs to be done and knocking out a few things in the days leading up to the holiday. We recommend setting a time during the day or of an evening and devoting X amount of time to a set of chores. Then when time is up, you’re done for the day and you have fewer things on your to-do list.
One Time Thing
Start with the “bigger” cleaning tasks that are likely to stay cleaner longer. Wipe down the walls, dust the baseboards, sweep and mop under the larger furniture pieces, spot clean any stains on furniture or carpet, wipe down doors, and if you’re experiencing winter or wet weather, make sure you’ve got a clean mat at your door for guests to wipe their shoes on.
Get in the Kitchen
We’re willing to bet that a lot of holiday party action is going to take place in the kitchen, so it’s best to spend an evening deep cleaning. Wipe down all of the surfaces including countertops and appliances, deep clean your refrigerator and freezer, wash any dishes you may have, make sure you’re fully stocked on towels, napkins, potholders, etc., take out the trash and empty the dishwasher.
Bathroom Break
The bathroom is another room that will probably be used heavily, but luckily the bathroom is usually one of the smallest rooms to clean making it quick and easy. Spray down the shower with a shower cleaner to remove any soap scum, clean mirrors, declutter the vanity, wipe down all surfaces, scrub the toilet bowl, clean the outside of the toilet, wipe down the faucet, clean the sink, replenish any toiletries, make sure you have extra toilet paper readily available, and stock the bathroom with fresh handtowels, washcloths, and bath towels. One more pro tip when it comes to hosting, a person can never be too cautious when it comes to fighting germs, so it’s never a bad idea to have some hand sanitizer in the bathroom for guests.
Time to Tidy
All the big stuff is checked off of your to-do list, and the two rooms with the heaviest traffic are ready for the big day, all that’s left is to do is the “small” stuff. Wipe off surfaces (coffee table, side tables, shelves, etc.), fluff the pillows, launder any throw blankets and fold them nicely, make sure you have plenty of coasters available, make the beds, light a couple of holiday scented candles and make sure the Christmas lights are turned on.