Get Your House Ready for a Jolly Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner, and family and friends are coming to visit and join in on the festivities. If you are like most people, you probably want to show everyone what a lovely place you have. Here are some tips and tricks to get your home ready for the holidays.
Buy Cleaning Supplies
Check what cleaning supplies you have and restock if you notice that you are running low. To give your home a thorough clean for Christmas, you will need:
- Mop
- Vacuum
- Cloths and cotton rags
- Dust cloth
- Plastic bags
- Glass cloth
You will also need things like scrubbing brush, paper towel, sprays and detergents, and disposable wipes. There are different types of cleaners to stock on, including specialty, non-abrasive, abrasive, and all-purpose. Professional cleaners also use non-abrasive sprays, liquids, and powders as well as multi-surface cleaners, disinfectants, polishes, and metal cleaners. They also use metal cleaning products that contain citric, sulphuric, and oxalic acid and hard water mineral removers that dissolve manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals. The selection of products and formulas also includes toilet bowl and shower cleaners, sink, tile, and tube cleaners, and drain openers. For furniture and floors, there is a wide array of products such as furniture polishes, dusting products, and upholstery, rug, and carpet cleaners.
Clean the Countertops
You will use the countertops for cooking and serving before and on the big day. Make sure that you give them a thorough clean to eliminate bacteria. What solution to use depends on the material, whether it is wood, soapstone, granite, or marble. If you have wood countertops, for example, you can use a solution made of 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and water. First use a spatula to remove any food residue and then wipe down the surface. Use a clean cloth to ensure that the countertops are completely dry. If you have granite or marble countertops that require a good clean, you can use a solution made of dish soap and warm water. Do not use acidic or abrasive detergents as they may cause etching and stripping the sealer. To remove water-based stains, you can make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and water. Use a paste made of water and soda to remove oil-based stains such as salad dressing, cooking oil, butter, and margarine. If you are unsure about the types of stains that you have or find it hard to remove stubborn stains, you can always call an end of tenancy cleaners for help.
De-clutter and Organise
If you have small children, this may sound like a challenging task. Consider a kid swap or call in a favor with grandma and grandpa. Then try to clean and tidy all cluttered rooms to ensure that your home doesn’t look messy. Use washing baskets or bins to put away things that take up space, including books, toys, clothes, newspapers, and magazines. You may also try to de-clutter and organise you home room by room, more you can find here. Start with the bedroom and put away all items that look as they do not belong there. These include things like mail, pens, books, newspapers, and eyeglasses. Then proceed with the bathroom and de-clutter the cabinets. Remove and discard outdated and unneeded items such as beauty and skincare products, empty soap bottles, makeup, and medications. In the kitchen, you may want to organise the upper cabinets and the pantry first and then focus on the drawers and lower cabinets. Discard all outdated products and organise by category, expiration date, etc. You may also want to designate bins, containers, and baskets for different items, for example, items to donate, throw away, fix, recycle, and put away. Items that can be recycled include glass, plastic, and paper. Things to donate are the ones that you no longer use or need.
This sounds like plenty to do, we know. De-cluttering your home just before the holiday season can be challenging and stressful with all the planning, cooking, Christmas shopping, and other tasks on your to-do list. If you feel pressed for time, then you might consider contacting professional home cleaning services for help.
And if you prefer to clean and de-clutter by yourself but are still pressed for time, then you may want to just focus on premises where people gather. These are, for example, the living room, kitchen, and lounge. Tidy and discard or put away all items that are not needed or are totally out of place.
Finishing Touches
Make sure that you have your sheets and bedding clean and fresh smelling for the guests. Whether it is friends or family members turning up unannounced, there is always a chance that you have more visitors than you expected. Make sure you vacuum and mop the floor in the guest room, dust the fixtures, change linen, and remove cobwebs. It is also a good idea to make some space in the drawers or wardrobe that family or friends can use. By the same token, you may also want to de-clutter the coat closet and put extra hangers for coats.
Sweep and mop the entryway, put Christmas lights or decorations, and wipe down and polish the doorknob. On the big day, put new hand soap, change the towels in the bathroom, and clean the trash receptacles. Add additional seating in the dining room to make it as comfortable for guests as possible. Now you are company- and party-ready!
There is plenty to do during the holiday season, and you may feel stressed if your house is not spotless clean and tidy. Most people find it overwhelming to stay in control over their housekeeping, especially if friends or family are coming for dinner or for the holidays. If you feel paralyzed by clutter and mess, ask everyone at home to join and help you out. If you have young children and no older helpers, however, consider contacting a residential deep cleaning service to help you make your house spiffy without going overboard.
