Holidays, unfortunately, always come with a little stress. With family, food, and lots of gathering involved, it’s a sure recipe for messes, which can result in stress. The best thing to do to stay stress-free this holiday season is to have the best holiday housekeeping tips in mind as early as possible. Then you’re able to focus on what really matters, like joyful time with family and friends. Read more on how to get your home ready for the holidays, what tips and tricks could work for you, and how Busy Bee Cleaning Company can lend a hand!
Your Holiday Cleaning Countdown: A 6-Week Timeline
The best strategy in a holiday cleaning schedule is to implement it as early as possible. We suggest a 6-week timeline to avoid any last-minute scrambling. This ensures not only that your guests feel relaxed, but also that the host does. Read more below on what a big picture plan can look like 6 weeks out:
6 Weeks Out: The Big Picture Plan
This is the time for big-picture tasks and deep cleaning projects you’ve been putting off.
- Schedule Professional Services: Book your professional holiday cleaning with Busy Bee Cleaning Company now. Our schedules fill up fast! Also, schedule carpet cleaners, window washers, or any other intensive services.
- Decluttering for the Holidays: Start the Great Declutter. Go through closets, attics, and storage areas. Donate unused toys, clothes, and household items to make room for new gifts and decorations.
- Major Repairs: Address any pressing holiday home maintenance issues, like a leaky faucet or a broken dishwasher.
4 Weeks Out: Deep Dive into Rooms
Focus on one major area each week. This is where you tackle the less-frequently cleaned spots.
- Deep Clean Kitchen: Clean inside the oven, degrease the range hood, and wipe down cabinet fronts. This is a great time to clean and organize the refrigerator and pantry.
- Tackle Bedrooms and Closets: Wash all bedding, including duvets and mattress pads. Organize closets and drawers to make space for winter clothes and guest luggage.
- Focus on Living Areas: Move furniture to vacuum or clean underneath. Dust high and low, including ceiling fans, light fixtures, and baseboards.
2 Weeks Out: Focus on Guest-Readiness
With guests on the horizon, it’s time to shift focus to the areas they will use most.
- Guest Room Prep: Prepare the guest bedroom. Wash guest linens and towels, check that the mattress is comfortable, and clear out space in the closet.
- Bathroom Polish: Deep-clean all bathrooms, focusing on grout, shower doors, and medicine cabinets.
- Holiday Decor: Put up your holiday decorations. As you decorate, give surfaces a quick wipe-down.
1 Week Out: The Main Event Cleaning
This is your primary cleaning week. If you’ve booked a professional service, this is the ideal time for them to work their magic.
- Full Home Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the entire house. This includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting all surfaces, and cleaning all bathrooms.
- Stock Up: Replenish essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and trash bags.
- Kitchen Inventory: Plan your holiday menu and take stock of your serving dishes, flatware, and glassware. Wash any items that have been in storage.
48 Hours Before Guests Arrive: The Final Touches
Your home is clean, so now it’s about the final sparkle.
- Quick Tidy: Do a quick walkthrough. Fluff pillows, fold throws, and clear countertops of clutter.
- Bathroom Refresh: Wipe down sinks, counters, and mirrors in all bathrooms. Restock toilet paper and put out fresh hand towels.
- Entryway Welcome: Sweep or vacuum the entryway and make sure there is a clear space for coats and shoes.
Don’t forget! If this all seems like a lot to you, let our team at Busy Bee Cleaning Company do the heavy lifting. We’re more than well-versed in how a home should look around the holidays and can get your place looking brand new, especially if you’re on a time limit. Just give us a call and let us know when you need your place cleaned, and we can go in and do it all in one swoop.
Smart Home Organization for the Holidays
There are also other organizational tips to keep in mind around the holidays that you don’t normally have to do at any other time of the year, including keeping a gift wrap station clean and well-equipped. This means having a designated area in your home with a rolling cart or some sort of container, having all your gift wrapping tools nearby so you’re not wrapping gifts all over the place, and making bigger messes. Also, having empty, labeled bins ready after the holidays is great for when the party dies down and you’re able to take down decorations with ease. Good organization, ultimately, is the secret to a calm and functional home during a busy season, and effective home organization for holidays is about creating systems that work for you.
Keeping Up: Maintenance During the Season
Once your home is clean, the goal is to maintain it. Even if you hire professional cleaners like Busy Bee Cleaning Company, you could encounter a mess quite quickly. Make sure to spend around 15 to 20 minutes tidying up the main living areas. Then, do spot cleaning on countertops or when any type of spill occurs. Finally, placing a mat both inside and outside your entryway door can do wonders in keeping dirt, mud, and even snow from entering your home. These seasonal cleaning tips help you stay on top of things without much effort.
Summary
A clean, organized home provides a beautiful backdrop for your holiday celebrations. By following these holiday housekeeping tips, you can create a welcoming environment for your loved ones and enjoy a truly stress-free holiday. Ready to take the biggest task off your plate? Let Busy Bee Cleaning Company give your home the professional attention it deserves, and even a deep cleaning service can help right before guests arrive. Book your holiday cleaning today and give yourself the gift of time.