Prepare for Arriving Visitors with Our Comprehensive Holiday Home Tidying Guide
Holiday hosting can be a lot of work, ranging from planning a tasty menu to making your space feel festive. However, cleaning your home is one of the most important aspects. Although you don't need to spend hours deep cleaning, it's crucial to tidy up areas that guests will likely visit, such as the living room and kitchen. This will not only make your home look neat but also help you identify what necessities you might need to acquire, be it bathroom essentials or entertaining essentials. To aid you in this task, here's a holiday cleaning checklist to ensure you tackle every room before your guests arrive.
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- Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox
Cleaning Checklist for the Entrance Hall
Since your entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of your home, it's essential to tidy it up before your guests arrive. As a small space, it can easily feel cramped with even a little bit of mess, so it's best to keep it as empty as possible.
- Clean the floor
- Vacuum and lay down a welcome mat
- Store shoes and coats in a nearby closet
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs
Cleaning Checklist for the Living Room
The living room is often used as a gathering space during the holiday season. A quick clean will help make the space feel inviting for your guests.
- Clean the ceiling fan
- Lint roll the couches and chairs
- Wash and organize blankets
- Wash and fluff throw pillows
- Dust all surfaces
- Wipe down the TV
- Clean the windows
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Spot treat stains on rugs
Cleaning Checklist for the Dining Room
Like the living room, the dining room is another key focal point of hosting. Make sure the room is clean and prepared for serving.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Clean the table and chairs
- Clean the windows
- Wipe down all surfaces
- Clean linen napkins and tablecloths
Cleaning Checklist for the Kitchen
Not only is it essential to clean the kitchen for your guests but also to keep yourself organized during your holiday cooking. The kitchen is often the heart of the home, especially during the holidays.
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Clean out the refrigerator
- Clean the countertops
- Clean the oven
- Polish silverware
- Clean serving dishes and drinkware
- Clean dish towels
- Wipe down appliances
Cleaning Checklist for the Bathroom
Your bathroom will be heavily used during the holidays, so it's important to make sure it's ready for guests. Keeping the bathroom clean and disinfected can help prevent the spread of germs that cause illness, especially during cold and flu season.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Put out clean hand towels
- Clean the toilet
- Clean the sink and faucet
- Clean the shower or bathtub
- Clean the mirrors
- Restock essential supplies, like toilet paper and hand soap
Cleaning Checklist for the Guest Room
If you have guests staying overnight during the holiday season, be sure to give your spare room a thorough clean and stock it with essentials.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Clean the ceiling fan
- Clean the windows
- Clean the mirrors
- Wash all bedding
- Fluff pillows
Cleaning Checklist for Closets
Don't forget about your closets when preparing for the holidays. Guests will likely use them to store their jackets, shoes, and personal belongings.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor
- Clear space by donating unused items
- Provide empty hangers for guests
- Dust shelves
Cleaning Checklist for the Outside
First impressions matter, so be sure to tackle some essential seasonal chores outside to boost your home's curb appeal.
- Clear leaves and debris
- Sweep away cobwebs
- Stock up on firewood (if you plan to have a fire)
- Check lights and replace any burned-out bulbs
- Clean patio furniture (if you left it out for the season)
Martha Stewart, known for her expertise in Cleaning Organizing, suggests focusing on high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen during holiday cleaning. She recommends using Cleaning Supplies to disinfect high-touch surfaces and tidy up necessary spaces before guests arrive. Meanwhile, Holiday Planning Ideas often involve ensuring each room is ready for guests, including the kitchen where you might need to polish silverware or clean serving dishes.
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