What to Clean and When for Christmas

It’s that time of year again when the festive season is fast approaching. You are likely anticipating hosting some guests for Christmas, and you’d like to present a spotless home for their arrival. The best way to prepare for this is to have a cleaning plan in place long before your visitors arrive. Here’s a guide on what you should clean and when you should do it to have your home in tip-top shape for the big day.

Two to Three Weeks Before Christmas

The holiday season is when decorations are dusted off and put up. We recommend starting with the living room and the entryway. Any old collection of decorations should be vacuumed and wiped down. Pay special attention to your Christmas tree and ensure it is well-dusted to prevent dust mites, which are harmful to people with allergies.

If you have a guest room that hasn’t been used in a while, it’s an excellent time to wash the bedding and towels so your guest can enjoy a fresh bed and fresh, fluffy towels. Finish off the task by vacuuming and cleaning the guest bathroom. Don’t forget any upholstery items such as the sofa, armchairs and throw pillows. They add a cozy holiday touch to your living space, and their cleanliness will bring warmth and comfort to your guests.

If you have a fireplace, now is the time to schedule a chimney sweep/cleaning to ensure everything is ready for a safe and cozy Christmas day.

One Week Before Christmas

It’s time to prep the dining area for all the feasting that will happen during Christmas. Start by thoroughly wiping down all the surfaces and cleaning the table, dining room chairs and table linens. Remember to clean your dishwasher and oven ahead of the season so you can focus on cooking once guests arrive.

If you have kids or pets in the house, it’s important to have what we call a “zone defense” cleaning process. Designate areas that pets or children enjoy and pay special attention to those areas, such as toys, pet clothes or dog beds. This process will make sure that even the busiest areas of your home are clean for the festivities.

One Day Before Christmas

It’s now down to the wire, and the goal is to ensure that your home is free of dust, feels fresh and is inviting. Begin by focusing on the guest bedroom and bathroom. Change out the bed linens for a fresh set, ensure there are some fresh towels, spray air fresheners, and opening the windows to ventilate the room.

The kitchen should be fully prepped for the big day. Scrub all the counters and make sure all appliances are clean and well organized. Wipe down all the surfaces and ensure that the fridge has enough space to accommodate guest leftovers and any new groceries that will be brought on the day.

Make sure your entryway is clean and free of clutter so there is plenty of space for guests to put their shoes and coats.

By following this cleaning guide, your home will be sparkling clean and cozy to host all your guests. It’s important that you prepare and plan ahead of time. After all, the festive season is supposed to be as enjoyable for you as it is for your guests. Make sure that you incorporate what works for you as there’s no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to cleaning. If you need a little help getting your home ready for Christmas guests, call The Clean Up Club and we’ll help you clean it up! Happy Hosting!