With holidays creeping in on us, you may be starting to panic about getting your home “guest ready.” And with that holiday to-do list seeming to grow everyday, finding the time to clean can almost seem impossible. Don’t fret! It’s really not as hard as you think to make sure everything is in tip top shape (or at least make it seem that way). So whether you’re preparing for Thanksgiving guests, or Christmas guests, we have some tips to help take some the the stress out of the equation.
Tidy Up
Before you start on cleaning anything, the first thing you should tackle, is tidying up. Picking up the clutter can make your home seem cleaner right off the bat. When you are cleaning up, and finding a place for everything that needs one, go from left to right around the room. By doing this, you know that every on the left has been deemed a tidy, clutter-free zone, and everything to the right, still needs to be worked on. Try also, to space out the days, as to not get burnt out, or overwhelmed with what all needs to be done. Most importantly, start on the most difficult, and most important rooms! This way, if you run out of time, it will be okay if you didn’t get to your home office, or that small craft nook off of your living room.
One Room At A Time
When you’re starting your cleaning up, another trick to not get yourself overwhelmed is, try not to bounce from room to room. Do one room at a time. Once again, start with the most important rooms first. Once you feel satisfied with your work, check it off and move on to the next room! Then you won’t have to worry about if you got everything done. You know, that the room you just left, is a completed task! This can help put your mind at ease, give you a feeling of accomplishment.
Hit The Kitchen – HARD
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in you home during the holiday season if you are having guests. Start your holiday cleaning in your kitchen, and spend the most time on this room.
- Make sure you have a space for holiday entertaining. Tuck away all the kitchen items you won’t be using. This knocks out the “clutter” you won’t need in the kitchen, and you can use that space for things such as punch bowls, serving dishes, and other holiday goodies.
- Clean your stove top, and grates
- Wipe down all appliances – large and small
- Wipe down kitchen cabinets
- Clean and shine your sinks
- Clean any trash cans
- You can even sprinkle baking soda in them to absorb any lingering odors
- Before the big day, make sure you clean out your fridge to make room for party foods.
To make sure you keep things cleaned up before guests come, wash any dishes you use right after using them. Also make sure to keep your kitchen counters wiped down.
Guest Bathroom
You always want to make sure the bathroom your guest will using, is sparkly clean! Make sure you wipe down any cabinets, clean the toilets, sinks, and the bathtub and/or shower. It’s always nice to even have a little basket filled with essential toiletries they may have forgotten, or things they might need. Things such as, a toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton swabs, pain relievers, etc.
Having a little “spa gift basket” ready for your guests is also a nice touch! Fill it with things like bath salt, bath bombs, new loofahs, soaps and lotions.
Don’t forget to make sure your bathroom has fresh towels on the shelf, shampoo, conditioner and razors in the tub, a basket for used linens and towels. Finally, why not brighten it up with some fresh flowers, holiday scented soaps, and fun holiday decor!
Clean The Carpets Ahead of Time
Don’t shampoo your carpets the day of! When you clean your carpets, it takes them at least 24 hours to dry completely. So make sure that if you do this, it’s at least a day or two before your guests are supposed to arrive. This way, no ones feet are getting wet from damp carpets. It also gives the chance for that awkward “just shampooed” smell to dissipate.
Holidays are supposed to be a time for family, friends, and having a good time. Don’t let the preparation of having guests bring you down. And if you need a hand, Austin, Texas cleaning company ‘It’s Cleaning Time!’ is always there to help out!
Happy Holidays, and happy cleaning!
