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Ah, the holidays can be a hectic time of year. You are trying to complete end-of-the-year projects, school functions, family gatherings, and gift buying can take up much of your time! What’s worse, you don’t have time to clean your house. The presence of visiting family members adds to the pressure. You’re afraid of what they’ll think when they see your home.
And you’re right to be worried!
The truth is that you’ll never feel as stressed as you will upon realizing that it’s time to get your house in order for Christmas but you haven’t done anything about it yet. But before the fun can begin, there’s always the matter of cleaning up the house.
So take a deep breath—I’ve got you covered!
And to make things a little easier, I’ve put together a FREE Ultimate Holiday Cleaning Checklist. Just print it out and check each item off as you go. Before you know it, your house will be clean and ready for the holidays.
Here are some quick tips to help you clean your house before the holidays:
Tip #1: Make a List and Check It Twice
Decide what areas of your home need the most attention and make a list of all the things that need to be completed. This will help you stay organized and focused as you tackle your cleaning tasks one by one.
Click To DOWNLOAD Your Checklist Below⬇️
Tip #2: Set Aside Some Time.
Whether it’s an hour each day or a full day on the weekend, dedicate some time to cleaning before the holiday rush begins. This will ensure that your house is ready for guests and that you’re not scrambling at the last minute
Tip #3: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
Gather all your cleaning supplies in one place. This will make it easier to get started and keep track of what you need as you go and make your holiday cleaning a breeze.
Here is a list of products that I keep on hand:
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Cleaning Rags
- Microfiber Dust cloths
- Furniture polish
- Sponges/Scrubber/Eraser-Type Sponge
- Window/Glass Cleaner
- White Vinegar
- Rubber or Latex Gloves
- Baking Soda
- Bucket
- Spray Bottles
- Mop
- Broom
- Vacuum
- Trashbags/Disposable Grocery Bags
Tip #4: Get Everything Out Of Your Way
Cleaning can be more efficient if you remove everything that isn’t necessary for the task at hand.
This means moving items from surfaces (such as books, mail, keys), closets (clothing and shoes), drawers (linens and kitchen utensils), and shelves to another location where they won’t get in your way but also won’t be forgotten about!
Tip #5: Start With The Easy Stuff
No one likes to do chores, especially during the holiday season when there are fun events and family gatherings.
The good news is that you don’t have to do all of the cleanings at once. You can start with the easy stuff and work your way up to the more difficult tasks.
Here are a few quick tips:
decluttering quickly each room is a total must.
Get rid of any items that you no longer need or use. This will make it easier to clean because there will be less stuff in the way.
Then you can move on to dusting and vacuuming. These are quick and easy, and they make a big difference in the overall appearance of your home.
After tackling the easy stuff, you can move on to more challenging tasks such as deep cleaning the kitchen or bathrooms.
Tip #6: Kitchen
Cleaning your kitchen and bathroom are two of the most crucial things you can do before hosting a holiday party or preparing for guests. It’s also one of the easiest tasks to complete because you likely have everything you need (multi-purpose cleaner, sponges, paper towels) already. So put on some music, grab a bottle of wine and get scrubbing!
If you have a lot of people coming over, it’s also a good idea to clean out your refrigerator and cabinets so they don’t get lost in the shuffle.
With these simple tips, your kitchen will be ready for the holidays🎄.
Tip #7: Bathrooms
Here are some tips to get your bathroom ready for holiday guests.
Decluttering the counters and getting rid of any items that you don’t use on a daily basis.
Wipe down all of the surfaces with a disinfectant wipe or spray.
Vacuum, sweep, and/or mop up any dirt or dust that has accumulated
Take care of the little details like wiping down the mirror, cleaning the toilet, and restocking the toilet paper, hand towels, and hand soap.
Check to see all drains are working properly
By taking care of these things, you can be sure that your bathroom will be ready for holiday guests.
Once your kitchen and bathroom are sparkling clean, it’s time to tackle other areas of your house where guests will be spending time (living room, dining room). This is where it helps to have someone to tag-team with so they can work in another area while you focus on cleaning one specific space.
Tip #8: Living Room & Entryway
The living room is the heart of the home and where most holiday gatherings are happening. This year, make sure your living room and entryway are clean, comfortable, and inviting for all your guests.
Get rid of any unwanted or unused items taking up space in your living room and entryway
Dust all surfaces, including shelving, lamps, and furniture
Vacuum or sweep the floors and rug
Fluff up those couch cushions and plump up the pillows
If you’re having guests over for Thanksgiving or even Christmas, you might want to think about where you can make room for setting up extra tables and chairs. You don’t want to end up in a standing-room-only situation.
It’s the holidays, not a college house party and you want your space to feel cozy and inviting.
Tip #9: Freshen Up the Guest Room
This is probably one of the most important rooms in your house during the holidays. Make sure it’s clean and welcoming for your guests by following these simple tips:
– Vacuum and dust all surfaces, including under the bed.
– Wash all sheets and towels.
– Empty out any clutter from closets and dressers.
– Put out fresh flowers or scented candles.
By following these simple steps, you can be sure that your guest bedroom will be ready for anything this holiday season throws your way.
If you’re hosting overnight guests, make sure there are enough towels and pillows for everyone—and that their rooms are ready for them (coffee maker loaded with water or tea bags).
Tip #10: Deck The Halls With Your Favorite Holiday Decorations
This is the fun part! Get out all of your holiday decorations and start decking the halls. It’s time to put up a tree if you have one. garlands, wreaths, stockings, and lights are all fun parts of making your home feel festive.
Enjoy this step and turn your home into a winter wonderland that you and your family will love. After all, ’tis the season!
Tip #11: Outside
Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your yard is ready for holiday entertaining:
- Rake up any leaves or debris that has accumulated over the autumn months.
- Trim back any overgrown plants or bushes.
- Sweep your patio or deck, and remove any dirt or grime that has built up.
- If you have any outdoor furniture, give it a good cleaning before guests arrive.
- Finally, don’t forget to decorate! Add some holiday cheer to your yard with lights, garland, and other festive touches.
Tip #12: Get a Head Start on Gift Wrapping and Shipping
Don’t wait until the last minute to wrap gifts and ship them off – it’ll only add to your holiday stress. Get a head start by wrapping presents as you buy them and shipping them off as soon as possible. That way, you can relax and enjoy all the festivities without having to worry about rushing to get everything done.
Tip #13: Stock Up On Emergency Household Supplies
As the weather gets colder and snowier, it’s important to prepare for any emergencies that might come your way. In my experience, this always happens around the holidays.
Here are a few things you should stock up on to be prepared for anything:
First, make sure you have plenty of non-perishable food items in your pantry. canned soups, vegetables, and fruits are all great options. You should also have some protein-rich foods like peanut butter or beans. And don’t forget the snacks! Granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit will help keep your energy up if you’re stuck indoors for a while.
Next, stock up on essential supplies like flashlights, batteries, candles, and matches. If the power goes out, these will come in handy.
Hopefully, you find the tips in this article helpful for getting your home holiday-ready. Start early and don’t forget to set time aside for little breaks so you don’t burn yourself out before Christmas.
This FREE Printable Holiday Cleaning Checklist will keep you on track and moving forward with getting your home in order for the holidays. By following this checklist, you will streamline tasks so that you enjoy a stress-free holiday.
Your friends and family will be impressed with how clean your home is, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that everything is in its place.
So let’s get to work and enjoy a stress-free holiday season!
