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Holiday Home Cleaning Tips to Prepare for Guests
Hosting friends and family is exciting since holidays like Christmas only come around once a year. But what do you do when your home isn’t ready for guests to visit? Keeping your home clean with a busy schedule, kids, and other factors can make it hard for you to entertain guests stress-free.
We suggest using these tips we’ve compiled in this blog to not only get your home nice and tidy for your guests and Santa but so you can have a stress-free holiday! While your home may need to be cleaned in time for Santa’s arrival, you can benefit from these tips year-round.
Make Your To-Do List
Before you do anything, create a list of everything you need to do in your home. Write down cleaning supplies you may need that you don’t already have. Make note of any room that you want to spend extra time cleaning and note the cleaning supplies you need in order to get it thoroughly cleaned. Look over your list once it’s finished and scratch off anything that may be unnecessary or can wait until after the holidays, this will save you time and money.
Gather Cleaning Supplies
The cleaning supplies you use can make a difference in how clean your home is. While some homeowners stick to a minimal cleaning routine, some people skip cleaning supplies altogether. One thing you don’t want to do when cleaning your home is skip using cleaners that can remove viruses and bacteria from surfaces and commonly used areas.
We suggest making your own mixture of baking soda, vinegar, water, and essential oils to clean surfaces. Baking soda and vinegar are just as useful as any other cleaner for sanitizing surfaces. However, if you’re looking for something a little more effective for cleaning before and after large gatherings, we recommend using safe chemical cleaners that have organic ingredients but are still effective for removing viruses and bacteria.
Prioritize Rooms
Once you’ve created your to-do list and gathered cleaning supplies, you can begin cleaning for your guests! Start from the most unorganized rooms that need the most attention and gradually make your way to rooms that need less cleaning.
Now that you’re prepared it’s time to get cleaning!
Holiday Cleaning Hacks
Cleaning your home can be a big task to take on, especially if you’re hosting for the first time or want to impress your guests. Here are some hacks you can use for thorough cleaning in what will potentially be the most high-traffic areas of your home on the big day.
Cleaning and Sanitizing the Kitchen
Let’s be honest, one of the best things about the holiday season is the delicious food! During the holidays, families and friends normally gather over a nice, home-cooked spread that can take hours, if not days, to prepare. Here’s what you can do to sanitize and get your kitchen smelling fresh:
Flush the sink drain with boiling water.
Steam your oven with water and vinegar in a casserole dish.
Wash dirty dishes as you cook.
Clean countertops with a safe chemical cleaner.
A clean kitchen is always a good first impression for visitors and sure to make them want to come back for more holiday dinners in the future!
Cleaning the Living and Dining Area
Whether you prefer guests to eat in a common area like the living room, or a more formal area like the dining room, both spaces will need equal attention.
Here are some tips for a clean and fresh-smelling living and dining area:
Vacuum and/or sweep and mop carpets and hard floors.
Spritz fabric deodorizing spray on cloth couches and chairs.
Dust and polish wooden surfaces.
After your living room is clean, it’s time to move on to arguably the dirtiest and most bacteria-filled room in the house — the bathroom.
Cleaning the Bathroom
Bathrooms usually get the dirtiest any time of the year, especially with an influx of people over. Your bathroom will be nice and refreshed if you try the following:
Clean toilets from top to bottom, focusing on the bowl and the seat of the toilet.
Clean the faucet and sink with a chemical cleaner and sponge.
Fill soap dispensers with your favorite antibacterial soap.
Empty the garbage can.
Sweep and mop the floor with a cleaning solution.
Getting your entire home clean can be a grueling task, but it’s worth it!