The holidays are a time for special decorations, gifts and visitors, all of which require extra preparation and cleaning! So how can you tackle the messes around your house in time for your guests’ arrival? Follow these helpful holiday cleaning tips for the home.
Space Out Holiday Cleaning and Do It Early
To avoid feeling totally overwhelmed, try cleaning a little bit every day. You can divide up your cleaning task by the task itself, or clean an entire room a day.
Individual tasks:
- decluttering
- storage organization (closets, cabinets, refrigerator)
- dusting
- washing windows
- wiping or cleaning surfaces (tables, countertops, appliances)
- vacuuming and/or mopping
Cleaning by Room
- Guest bedroom (if guests are staying overnight)
- Living room/family room
- Dining room
- Hallway or mudroom
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
Using this method allows you time to do a thorough job without being rushed or left exhausted. Plus, you will have enough energy afterwards to enjoy time with your holiday guests. Before guests arrive, perform quick touch-ups such as wiping down counters and putting away items.
Don’t Overlook These Spots When Cleaning for the Holidays
It’s easy to overlook light switches, doors and baseboards as we don’t tend to notice these items on a daily basis. Use a wet Eraser Sponge to remove scuff marks from walls and doors, fingerprints and smudges from light switches, and dirt and grime from doors. Try our Eraser Sponge Extension Handle Kit to clean your baseboards without bending. It comes with four eraser sponges that attach to the handle via Velcro.
To use,:
- Wet one of the kit’s eraser sponges and squeeze out the excess water
- Stick it to the end of the handle
- Use the buttons on the handle to extend it to desired length
- Press it firmly against a baseboard, wall, or other surface and gently move it back and forth to clean away dust, dirt, stains and dark scuff marks.
Holiday Cleaning the Entryway
Your entryway is the first thing guests will encounter when they arrive at your home, so making sure it’s spick and span will guarantee a good first impression. Wipe down your front door with our Eraser Sponge, shake out the doormat and add some festive decorations like a holiday wreath and garland. Also be sure to organize coat closets and shoe storage so everything is neat and tidy. A clean and cozy entryway is just what you need to make your guests feel welcome!
Holiday Cleaning Tips for the Kitchen
All of your delicious food will taste better in a clean oven! Mix white vinegar and baking soda together to create a foamy mixture. Let it sit on greasy spots and then use our scrubby sponge to scrub it clean. Next, declutter your countertops and wipe them down with a Swedish Dishcloth. The Swedish Dishcloth is non-scratch and safe to use on marble and granite countertops and on wood cabinets.
Preparing a Guest Bedroom
If your guests are visiting from out of town, chances are they are staying at your home for all of the holiday fun. You’ll want your guests to feel like they are in a home-away-from-home, so make sure the guest bedroom is ready with fresh sheets, towels and extra toiletry items. If you don’t remember the last time you had guests stay over, chances are there is a lot of dust in the room, so you’ll want to remove it with microfiber cloths or a microfiber duster.
Not only will your guests need a place to sleep, but they will also need somewhere to put their clothing, coats and luggage. Tackle one closet at a time and empty everything out of it. After the closet is empty, create four piles: keep, give away, throw away and store. Don’t forget the golden rule: if you can’t remember the last time you wore or used something, get rid of it!
Tips for Cleaning the Bathroom
Go through the closet and medicine cabinets and get rid of any unnecessary items. Add new towels and replenish toilet paper and hand soap so you don’t have to worry about running out when the Christmas craziness begins.
Wipe down the bathroom sink, clean the toilet and mirror. Eraser sponges are great for removing dirt and grime from shower stall floors and soap scum from glass doors and tiles. You can also use an eraser sponge to clean the sink, floor and toilet bowl.
Now your home is ready for lots of company and entertaining! For home-cleaning supplies, shop now!
