No one wants to think about holiday cleaning. But as the holidays approach, you want your home to be ready. Use these simple holiday cleaning tips to keep you and your home ahead of the game.
Holiday Cleaning Tips
When it comes to cleaning for the holidays, it's not something you can do last minute. Therefore, you have to have a plan of action in place well before the holidays come. Enjoy some tips and tricks for keeping your house clean along with a few pro tips from holiday cleaning expert Augie DeLuca, Chief Marketing Officer for Quickie Manufacturing Corporation, a top household cleaning product manufacturer.
1. Don't Procrastinate With Holiday Cleaning
The holidays are stressful enough. So, you don't want to push off your holiday cleaning until the last minute. DeLuca points out, "people are busy visiting friends and family, or running around finishing last-minute holiday errands." So, it's essential to:
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"Focus on cleaning the public areas of your home where guests will be spending the majority of their time."
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"Pay close attention to your kitchen, floors, and bathrooms."
2. Create a Holiday Cleaning Schedule
Consider creating a holiday cleaning schedule a week or two before the holidays that focuses on deep cleaning the main areas of your house through ½-hour to 1-hour chunks over several days. For example, you could try using a daily cleaning schedule to focus on one room a day.
3. Declutter Your Home
Clutter can quickly make your home appear unclean. Therefore, it's crucial to tackle clutter and get organized. According to DeLuca, "keeping your home clutter-free is another challenge people face when preparing for their guests' arrival." Therefore, you need to make sure to "keep your counters and common living areas free from unnecessary furniture, children's toys, and stacks of holiday greeting cards. Designate a room or area in your home where you can easily place these items so they will be out of sight and out of the way. A bedroom or office area is usually a good spot."
4. Keep Your Walls and Windows in Mind
Everyone thinks about their floors and cleaning their blankets, but you don't want to forget your walls and windows. Removing fingerprints and dust build-up from fixtures can make all the difference in having your clean house shine. Additionally, you want to pay attention to your windows if you have pets. No one wants to see their nose art!
5. The Importance of Deep Cleaning
It might be hard to avoid the temptation of spot-cleaning your home, but you don't want to forget those hidden areas. You want to make sure to clean under couches, spot clean carpets, sweep behind your fridge, clean out your fridge, wipe down the appliances, change all the bedding, and shine up mirrors. These aren't tasks you do daily, but it's something holiday guests will appreciate.
6. Have the Right Holiday Cleaning Supplies
Getting your holiday cleaning done right means choosing the right materials. DeLuca notes, "the biggest mistake I see people make is that they don't have the basic tools and supplies to clean their homes. The first thing you should do is take an inventory of all the supplies you have on-hand and what you need to buy. Some tools you should always have on your list are:
- Sponges
- Dusters
- Cloths for wiping up messes
- Mop
- Scrubbers to tackle tough residue left over on pots and pans
Many of these items can be found at your local grocery or home improvement store."
7. The Right Cleaning Product for the Job
While you need to have the right tools, you also need to choose the right tools for each job. According to DeLuna, "choose a cleaning tool for each surface area in your home; this will make for an effective and efficient cleaning job. Mops are great for floors and baseboards, while dusters are ideal for surface cleaning. Don't forget the versatile sponge for cleaning up spills. Dust gathers quickly on Venetian blinds, but a simple swipe with our mini blind duster will get the job done. Remember, the outside of your home is important too. To keep steps free from ice and snow, these areas should be swept directly following a dusting of snow."
8. Think About Sanitizing
Holidays are famous for spreading germs like COVID, cold, and flu. To make sure you keep your family safe and healthy during family time, consider using disinfectants like Lysol and peroxide known to kill pathogens. You might also want to make these cleaners readily available to wipe down surfaces regularly.
9. Make Cleaning Supplies Accessible
"During the holiday season, guests are constantly coming and going. Keep your home clean regularly by having a variety of quick-clean tools on hand. Place a few of these items in the main areas of your home - bathroom, kitchen, and living room for a swift cleaning job," stated DeLuca. For example, microfiber clothes placed at various locations around your home can make life easier and less stressful for simple spills.
10. Consider a Holiday Cleaning Service
If holiday cleaning is too stressful or just doesn't fit into your schedule, you might want to consider a holiday cleaning service. Cleaning services can ensure that your house is fresh and ready for guests.
Pitfalls to Avoid for Holiday Cleaning
Holiday cleaning is stressful enough; therefore, it's important to avoid any pitfalls along the way. Use these tips to make sure your cleaning for the holiday goes smoothly.
1. Stressing Out
"People get stressed and think that they have to clean their whole house at once. If you're tight on time, pick the main rooms that will be visible to guests, and focus on cleaning those rooms." Additionally, DeLuna notes, "cleaning shouldn't be stressful - it can actually be fun and relaxing. Turn on your favorite holiday music and sing along while cleaning. Get your kids involved too! It's a great way to spend time together while also pitching in around the house."
2. Using the Wrong Tools
Cleaning tools are versatile. Therefore, you don't just need one tool for cleaning windows and one for sinks. Instead, you can maximize your time by using multi versatile tools. "Tools that can do double duty in your home work best for handling a quick cleaning job. Look for a duster that can clean your furniture and glass surfaces at the same time. Quickie's Microfiber Chenille Dust Mitt works great on wood surfaces to capture dust and dirt, but it can also be used to dust picture frames and large home electronics, like TV screens." This way, you can maximize your cleaning power.
Getting Your Home Holiday Ready
Cleaning your home isn't rocket science. However, as you rein in the holiday, you want to consider ways to maximize your time and clean your surfaces thoroughly. Use these tips and tricks to help you along the way.
