Follow this checklist to get your home sparkling like a winter wonderland
‘Tis the season to feel overwhelmed by the tasks that need to get done before company arrives. Preparing your home for holiday guests can seem daunting, but if you break it up by task, you’ll have everything done in two shakes of a reindeer’s tail. Here’s your holiday cleaning checklist.
Clean the Windows
Even the most sparkling-clean home loses its luster when windows are dotted with fingerprints, doggy nose prints, and everyday grime. Use either a glass cleaner or a solution with equal parts of water and vinegar. Oh, and save your paper towels—a balled-up newspaper makes the perfect tool for that streak-free shine.
Front door/entryway
Parlor
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Declutter Your Space
Get your home ready for the holidays by finally tackling the ever-multiplying piles of stuff that you have collected throughout the year. Ideally, you’ll find a place for everything—but if that’s not in the cards, there’s no shame in tucking the clutter away in a closet until you have more time.
Entryway (junk mail, unnecessary coats/shoes, snow shovels, toys, sports equipment, backpacks/purses)
Coat closet (leave enough space and hangers to accommodate guests)
Dining room (clear the tabletop, buffet, and any other surfaces)
Kitchen (remove papers/mail/clutter, put away unnecessary appliances, toss expired food from the fridge, clear as much counter space as possible)
Wipe Down Surfaces
Wipe down all surfaces with a microfiber cloth and disinfectant cleaner. Don’t forget to hit commonly touched surfaces to keep everyone safe from any nasty viruses going around.
Walls
Windowsills
Tabletops
Furniture
Countertops
Baseboards
Doorknobs
Light switches
Hand soap dispensers
Fridge
Faucets
Ceiling fans
Stovetop
TV
Clean the Bathroom(s)
It’s everyone’s least favorite job, but it’s one of the most important. Here’s your bathroom cleaning checklist:
Wipe down the sink, countertops, tub, and toilet
Scrub the toilet
Wipe mirrors to remove streaks, smears, and toothpaste spots
Stock the space with extra toilet paper and hand soap
Put out clean hand towels
Vacuum/Sweep/Mop Your Floors
A day or so before guests arrive (or even the day of), vacuum, sweep, and mop all the common areas of your home. Take any rugs or doormats outside and beat them to get the dirt out (this doubles as an outlet for any holiday-related frustration, too!).
Entryway
Parlor
Kitchen
Bathroom
Living room
Guest room
Get the Laundry Done
The holidays come with a whole laundry list of, well, laundry. Here’s your checklist of what to tackle:
Table linens
Guest sheets
Throw blankets
Furniture covers
Bathroom towels
Bathroom rugs
Hand towels
Kitchen towels
Potholders
Your family’s holiday outfits
Wash the Dishes
Your holiday dinnerware probably wasn’t used much in the past year and may have collected dust. Wash everything in hot soapy water or run it through the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe.
Wash plates, glasses, and serving trays
Clean and polish your silver flatware, serving utensils, gravy boat, etc.
Take care of any lingering dishes in the kitchen
Prepare the Guest Room
When you’re entertaining, it’s always a good idea to prepare for overnight guests. Give your guest room some attention so it looks fresh and inviting. Don’t forget to hit it with the vacuum when you’re going around.
Dust and wipe down all surfaces
Put on a fresh set of sheets
Leave out additional blankets
Add nightlights
Clear the closet and dresser drawers
Clean and stock toiletries in the guest bathroom
Consider Hiring a House Cleaning Service
Between baking your famous snickerdoodles, wrapping gifts, and taking the kiddos sledding, it can be difficult to find time to clean. Hiring a house cleaner costs between $30 and $50 per hour on average, which is something to consider based on your needs and budget. Get in touch with a local house cleaner for an exact estimate.
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