THIS WEBSITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH MEANS WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION IF YOU PURCHASE A PRODUCT THROUGH THEM. VISIT OUR DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Hosting is a big part of the holidays. Families love to get together and celebrate different holidays after not seeing each other for a while. And if you’re lucky enough to host for a holiday, chances are, you might feel overwhelmed by the prep work required. But preparation doesn't necessarily mean only decorating or completing the grocery list. Cleaning the house and preparing it for the guests is a must. As such, you need to tidy up spaces that guests will occupy, including the foyer, living areas, kitchen, and bathrooms. You can tidy your home by ensuring the frequented spaces look clean and clutter-free. With this process daunting, you'll need to prioritize cleaning duties by breaking them up by task. Here’s a great Christmas cleaning checklist to use when hosting your guests.
Start With Decluttering
The first step to getting your house clean for a holiday is decluttering. This step is important when tackling piles of stuff that have accumulated throughout the year. It's also a chance to give whatever you don't use to the less fortunate.
Therefore, go from room to room to ensure every room is decluttered. Next, make three piles; to donate, keep, and get rid of. When donating, find a free donation pickup in Orange county to save on the time that could have been used in finding a donation center. For the remaining piles, organize them away from sight.
Clean Up Your Windows And Doors
After some time, grime, dust, and dirt accumulate inside and outside your windows. And as a result, it obstructs your views and blocks sunlight, making it annoying, especially for guests.
So, to ensure that your windows don't look lackluster, use a glass cleaner or a cleaning solution of water and vinegar in equal parts. To avoid leaving streaks behind, use a lint-free soft cloth, then go over it with a balled-up newspaper.
Vacuum And Mop Your Floors
Dust tends to settle on floors even with regular cleaning. So, to avoid having guests step on dust, vacuum and mop the floors of your common areas a day before your guests arrive.
Your door is the first point of contact for all your guests. And over time, your doorstep accumulates dust and grime that ruins the curb appeal of the entire house. Therefore, it's necessary to give your doorstep a quick clean-up.
Begin by wiping down your front door and targeting ledges, sills, and crevices to eliminate loose dirt and debris. Next, wash down your front door and let it dry. Afterward, clean the doorway floor and the doorway hardware.
Wipe Down All Surfaces
Every space has surfaces that collect dust, including walls, countertops, furniture, and small appliances. So, for a quick home refresh, you should wipe down all surfaces. To ensure every grime is taken care of, use a microfiber and disinfectant cleaner.
Concentrate on surfaces that are frequently touched, as that's where bacteria thrive. Wiping them down for items such as small appliances will prevent the buildup of splatters and grease from cooking.
Additionally, consider using cotton swabs or an old toothbrush when taking care of tight corners and hard-to-reach places.
Clean Your Bathroom
The importance of having a clean bathroom for guests goes a long way. A few touches here and there will refresh the space making it conducive for guests. So, when cleaning your bathroom, start by wiping down the sink, countertops, and tub.
Next, thoroughly scrub the toilet and wipe the mirrors to eliminate streaks. And with every surface clean and sparkling, stock up the space with extra toiletries. Complete everything by putting out clean hand towels.
Clean Your Kitchen
Final tidying of your kitchen is ideal before guests arrive. Light cleaning your kitchen will help maintain the space and make it look great. Therefore, when cleaning your kitchen, start by getting rid of clutter-off counters.
Next, empty your dishwasher to give room for used utensils. After removing clutters, clean all the counters and pay close attention to your sink. But a clean kitchen isn't complete without emptying and wiping down your garbage can.
Set Up Your Guest Room
Before setting up the guest room, your house technically is not ready for guests. Therefore, give your guest room some tidying up to ensure it's inviting. Start by vacuuming the space to eliminate all the accumulated dust.
And just like other spaces, dust and wipe down surfaces. Then change the set of sheets to a fresh pair that makes the space cozy. Remember to clear the storage spaces to create space for the guests.
And just in case it gets cold at night, leave out some additional blankets to keep them warm and toasty.
Bottom Line
Holiday hosting can be a daunting and frustrating process. But a Christmas cleaning checklist can help you prepare your home to impress your guests.
The checklist shouldn't be limited to holidays alone, as they can be used throughout the year. When using this checklist, consider tackling each room before moving on to the next.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
6 Ways to Take Good Care of Your Cricket Turf
Leave a Reply