The Stress-Free Guide to Holiday Cleaning: How to Prep Your Home in Phases
‘Tis the season and you are excited!
Nobody wants a dirty or messy home for the occasion. Unfortunately—and especially if you are a busy professional—the preparation can quickly get overwhelming.
But it is probably good luck you found this How-To! We are going to help you divide the work into manageable phases so you can slowly but surely prepare your place for the upcoming events.
Whether you are hosting a grand reunion or an intimate dinner, here is your step-by-step plan to get your home holiday-ready without the burnout.
Phase 1: The “Great Declutter” (1 Week Before)
You cannot clean clutter. So before you bring out the broom or vacuum, you need to clear the way.
- Clear the “Landing Zones”: Look at your entryway, dining table, and living room counters. Remove mail, keys, and random items that have piled up over the months.
- Make Room for Food: If you are expecting to cook a lot or receive food gifts, clear out your fridge now. Toss expired items to make space for the ham, salad, and cakes.
- The Box Strategy: Grab a laundry basket and do a sweep of the living room. Anything that doesn’t belong there goes in the basket to be sorted later. Don’t waste time organizing it now—just get it out of the guest area.
Phase 2: The “Guest/Family Comfort” Focus (3-4 Days Before)
Now that the clutter is gone, focus on the room where your guests (or family) will spend 90% of their time: the Living Room.
- The Sofa Deep Dive: Remove the cushions and vacuum underneath. You’d be surprised how many crumbs and coins hide there.
- Fabric Care: If your sofa has detachable covers, now is the time to wash them so they are dry and fresh for the party.
- Dust Control: Living in the city often means battling dust. Wipe down your TV screen, ceiling fan blades, and window sills. These are small details, but they make the room feel significantly fresher.
Phase 3: The “High Traffic” Areas (1-2 Days Before)
This phase is about hygiene and sparkle.
- The Bathroom Check: This is the one room guests will judge silently! Scrub the toilet, wipe down the mirror to remove splashes, and ensure there is a working hand soap. Pro-tip: Put out a fresh, fluffy hand towel right before guests arrive.
- The Kitchen Surfaces: You don’t need to scrub the inside of the oven, but do wipe down the exterior of your appliances and the countertops.
- Ant Prevention: In our humid climate, sweet spills attract ants quickly. Wipe down any sticky spots on your counters or floor immediately.
Phase 4: The Final Touches (The Morning Of)
The hard work is done! Now, it’s just about setting the mood.
- Scent: Light a candle or simmer some cinnamon and water on the stove. A clean home smells clean.
- Floors: Do one final sweep or vacuum of the main hallway to catch any last-minute dust.
- Lighting: Open the curtains to let natural light in, or turn on warm lamps to make the space cozy. Trust us, just the sunshine helps to make the room feel fresher!
Enjoy the Holidays!
The most important part of the season is spending time with family and friends, not worrying about a speck of dust on the shelf. We hope this guide helps you navigate the holiday rush with a little less stress.
However, we know reality doesn’t always go to plan.
If you are too busy with work deadlines, or if you feel your home needs a deeper reset than you have the energy for right now, try contacting a professional cleaning service in your area.
Sometimes, the best gift you can give yourself is the gift of time.
