The holidays might bring a lot of joy, but it can be a stressful time for a host. In fact, some surveys revealed that over 50 percent of all Americans feel as though cleaning is the number one cause of stress during the holidays. For some, it might even be enough to completely ruin the holidays altogether. If you find that holiday cleaning is ruining your holiday spirit, just know that it doesn’t have to.
We have come up with some of the best holiday cleaning tips that you can implement in order to improve your ability to enjoy the holidays with your friends and family.
Reasons Holiday Cleaning Can Be A Huge Headache
While holiday parties might be enjoyable, dealing with the mess that is typically left behind is never a fun task. Along with this and the added stress that it can bring a host, there are some studies that show having a clean home might even impact heart health.
Below is a checklist from the experts to get your home in the best shape for the holidays.
1. Entryway
To get things started, you want to focus on the entryway. This is where your guests will enter. Because of this, it is the area that they are first exposed to which means it will create their first impression. Because of this, you want to clean it thoroughly to create a good first impression. The entryway is also the area that experiences the most foot traffic which means it will get the dirtiest due to people tracking dirt and grime into your home from outside.
To clean this area, simply mix together soap and water and scrub the floors. You also want to regularly clean the doormat to get rid of loose dirt that might be sitting on it. You can hit the mat against the ground outdoors to get rid of the loose debris. You also want to clean your door itself to enhance its appearance and wipe the doorknob to ensure that it is clean for your guests.
2. Kitchen
You and your guests will be spending a lot of time in your kitchen. After all, that is where you will be enjoying food and drinks with your guests. Because of this, you want to spend enough time and energy cleaning your kitchen to be sure that it is thoroughly cleaned for your guests.
The best way to go about cleaning your kitchen is by cleaning your sink. Because you will be using your sink and your garbage disposal throughout the holidays, you want to avoid clogs and buildup that can cause odor to permeate. The best way to do this is by pouring boiling water down your drain. This will allow you to get rid of anything that can clog your drain. You can drop lemon peels down your garbage disposal to grind them up and create a pleasant odor to mask any unpleasant odors that might exist in your drain.
3. Guest Bedroom
The guest bedroom should be cleaned prior to hosting anyone. This is true even if your guest bedroom is rarely frequented. After all, dust can build up when it is left unused. Therefore, you should look to strip the bed of its sheets and its comforter. That way, you can clean them. You can wash each in warm water and vinegar to improve freshness. You will want to vacuum the area including the mattress itself and underneath any and all furniture that is in the room. Dust can regularly build up in these areas, so you should pay close attention to them.
4. Bathroom(s)
You want to spend sufficient time cleaning all of the bathrooms in your home. Your bathroom is an area that will have a lot of bacteria and germs that you want to kill off. You can use lemon juice in order to naturally kill off both bacteria and germs because it is antibacterial. The side benefit of using lemon juice is its ability to freshen up your entire room due to it being such a pleasant smell.
One of the best ways to clean up soap scum that you might have present in your bathroom(s) is by creating and using a mixture of water, baking soda, and ammonia. Simply place this mixture directly on the area where the soap scum is located, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away.
5. Post Holiday
Having to deal with the cleanup after the holidays can be very stressful. The best way to minimize the cleanup is by routinely taking time during the festivities to do mini cleanup sessions. This will reduce the amount of cleanup you have to endure after the festivities are completely over with. Get rid of excess wrapping paper during the opening of presents, wrap lights around cardboard to avoid tangles, and even call up your garbage service to see when and if they have a specific/designated time for Christmas tree removal.
Looking for even more cleaning tips from the pros? Our blog features some of the best cleaning tips you will find anywhere.
