It’s easy to feel like the Christmas festivities take a backseat to all the preparation that goes into them. We have a solution for you if you’ve spent the days before Thanksgiving frantically cleaning the kitchen instead of watching Christmas movies before Christmas eve.
Introduce yourself to your brand-new timetable and housekeeping checklist for the holidays. Whether you’re getting ready for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or another holiday, we’ve given you a month to complete the most typical cleaning jobs on your list.
Holiday Cleaning Checklist
Whole Month Preparation
Doorway
- Clean the door by wiping it down using a damp towel.
- Remove the doormat and wash it or thoroughly clean it.
- Put away all of the out-of-season stuff that is visibly laying around.
Living Room
- Furniture should be vacuumed.
- Remove any stains from carpeting or furniture.
- Clean the fireplace.
- Wipe the TV screen.
Dining Area
- Clean and shine the silverware.
- Get the napkins and placemats cleaned up.
- Clean and shine the table where you’ll eat.
- Be sure to have enough seats for all of your visitors.
Kitchen
- You should give your oven a deep clean.
- The fridge and freezer need a good scrub.
- Remove greasy buildup from countertops.
- Give your small appliances a quick wipe.
Bathroom
- Get rid of the pink molds.
- Polish the fixtures.
- Remove mineral deposits on shower heads and faucets.
- Fix all leaks, malfunctioning equipment, and other problems.
Guest Room
- Deep clean the guest bedroom.
- Fix all the problems in the room.
- Clean the air conditioner and fans.
Outdoor Area
A Week to Prepare
Doorway
- Organize the area. Store the shoes properly. Hang the hats at coats nicely.
- Sweep and mop the floors.
- Give your rug a good shake.
Living Room
- Dust all of the surface.
- Clean all the art pieces and picture frames.
- Wash all the blankets and throw pillows.
- Remove all unnecessary items.
- Vacuum the carpet.
Dining Area
- Organize or rearrange the area for the party.
- Prepare the centerpiece for the table.
- Wash all the table linens you are planning to use.
Kitchen
- Clean all the cupboards.
- Keep the appliances you aren’t going to use for more counter space.
- Clean other kitchen appliances, such as your stove and dishwasher.
- Deep clean your sink and faucet.
- Clean the trash can so it won’t smell.
Bathroom
- Deep clean the bathroom.
- Clean the mirrors.
- Organize the drawers.
- Wash up the shower curtain.
- Make sure the toiletries are fully stocked.
Guest Room
- Clean the curtains or blinds.
- Wash all the blankets and sheets.
- Give the pillows a good shake.
- Make sure to remove your belongings.
Outdoor Area
- Make sure your parking space is ready for the number of guests you are expecting.
The Day Before the Party
Doorway
- Dust the area.
- Make sure there is enough space for your visitors’ belongings.
Living Room
- Water all the plants.
- Clean up all artificial flowers.
- Make sure the area smells nice.
- Sanitize all frequently touched areas like door knobs and light switches.
Dining Area
- Prepare and wash all the dinnerware you are planning to use.
- Clean the coffee and bar area.
- Give all the chairs a quick wipe.
- Sanitize the table.
- Vacuum the carpet.
Kitchen
- Freshen up the fridge.
- Stock up the pantry area.
- Make sure all the condiments are accessible.
- Stock up the paper towels and hand soap.
- Sanitize the countertop.
- Remove all the letters and bills from the fridge.
Bathroom
Guest Room
- Prepare fresh and clean towels.
- Put new sheets on the bed.
- Dust all the surfaces.
- Sweep the floor.
- Spruce up the room with scented candles or a potpourri dish.
Outdoor Area
- Free the area from any unnecessary stuff.
- Store all the gardening tools properly.
- Keep the yard tools somewhere, not visible.
Additional Cleaning Tips
- Avoid Putting Things Off. Start as soon as possible to avoid starting too late. If you put off cleaning until the very minute before the holidays, you may be in a rush to get everything done.
- There Is a Place for Everything. Get rid of any extra items lying about, like shoes, newspapers, and other random stuff. There should be a designated spot for everything, and everything should be in its place. You can save time by picking up junk before cleaning. Put it back where it came from if it’s not where it should be.
- Concentrate on the High Traffic Areas. Cleaning your entire house is the mission, but pay special attention to the living room, kitchen, and other areas where people are likely to gather. The focus of your Christmas cleaning should be these areas.
- Deal with each room separately. In the big picture, holiday cleaning seems stressful. But the tiresome chore becomes less tense if you work on a single room at a time.
- The fridge and freezer need a good scrub.
