Get ready to deck the halls with boughs of holly because Christmas is just around the corner! As the festive season approaches, so does the need to prepare our homes for the celebrations ahead, but don’t worry, because we have you covered with our top 10 essential Christmas cleaning tips that will help you tackle the mess for a stress-free holiday season. From creating a cleaning schedule to decluttering before Santa arrives, our tips will ensure that your home is not only ready for the festivities but also a welcoming space for your family and friends, so grab your cleaning supplies and let's get started on making your home bright and cheerful for the most wonderful time of the year.
1. Decluttering your space
The first step to having a clean and organised home during the holiday season is decluttering your space. By doing this, you’ll not only create more space in your home, but you’ll also make it easier to clean and maintain during the busy holiday season, so take the time to go through each room and get rid of any unnecessary clutter and items that have accumulated throughout the year, including anything that is broken or beyond repair, and donate or sell items that are in good condition but no longer needed. Once you've decluttered, take some time to organise the remaining items by investing in storage solutions such as baskets, bins, or shelves to keep everything in its place over the holidays and make it easier to clean and maintain your home during Christmas.
2. Creating a cleaning schedule
With all the preparations and festivities happening during Christmas, it's easy for cleaning tasks to slip through the cracks. To avoid last-minute panic and stress, create a cleaning schedule that breaks down your cleaning tasks into smaller, manageable tasks and assign specific days or times to each task.
Start by prioritising the most important tasks, such as deep cleaning the kitchen and scrubbing the bathrooms. These areas tend to see a lot of use during holiday gatherings, so it's important to set aside a day or two to tackle cleaning the surfaces, appliances, and fixtures thoroughly. Once this has been done, focus on polishing and dusting your furniture, mirrors, and other surfaces around the house to prevent dust accumulating on decorations and hard-to-reach areas such as ceiling fans, light fixtures, and window sills. Finally, make sure to vacuum and mop your floors, particularly in areas where guests will be spending the most time, and make a note of any particular carpets, pieces of furniture, or windows that will require a professional cleaning before Christmas.
By creating a cleaning schedule and sticking to it, you'll be able to stay on top of your cleaning tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed in the run up to Christmas. Be sure to be realistic with your time and energy levels, and make sure that all family members have a specific task that they are responsible for to have all the cleaning done before the holidays.
3. Deep cleaning the kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of the home during Christmas, and taking the time to deep clean your kitchen before the festivities will allow you to enjoy stress-free cooking and entertaining throughout the holidays.
Start by clearing out and organising your pantry and refrigerator as you'll likely be stocking up on food and ingredients for holiday meals. Remove any expired or unused food items and wipe down the shelves and drawers with a mild cleaning solution before wiping down the exterior of your oven, microwave, and dishwasher with a damp cloth. Use a suitable cleaner to remove any grease or grime from the stovetop and oven, and don't forget to clean the interior of your microwave as well, as food spills and stains can accumulate over time.
Next, clean and sanitise your sink and countertops, and pay extra attention to areas around the stove and sink, as these are prone to spills and stains. If you have tiles, consider using a grout cleaner to remove any dirt or grime between the tiles, before finishing off by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove any loose dirt and debris, and then mopping up with a suitable cleaner.
4. Scrubbing the bathrooms
The bathrooms are another area of the home that should receive extra attention during the holiday season, as with guests coming and going, it's important to ensure that your bathrooms are clean, fresh, and well-stocked.
Start by decluttering your bathroom, removing any unnecessary or empty items from the countertops, shelves, or shower, and organise your toiletries and cleaning supplies, making sure everything has its designated place and is easily accessible for guests.
Next, focus on cleaning the surfaces and fixtures in your bathroom. For showers and bathtubs, use a bathroom cleaner and scrub the surfaces thoroughly, paying extra attention to areas around the drain and corners where mould and grime can quickly build up, and cleaning the floor around the toilet and shower, as these areas tend to accumulate more dirt and moisture. If you have a shower curtain, consider replacing it or giving it a good wash to freshen it up before guests stay.
For the sinks, taps, and countertops, wipe these surfaces to remove any toothpaste or soap stains, and don’t forget to finish up by cleaning the inside and outside of your toilet and cleaning the mirrors. During the holidays, regularly maintain your bathrooms by wiping down surfaces, replenishing toiletries, and cleaning as needed to provide your guests with a clean and comfortable space.
5. Having carpets cleaned
Carpets tend to accumulate dirt, dust, and stains over time, especially in high-traffic areas, so consider having them professionally cleaned before the holiday season to remove any deep-seated dirt and stains. Clean floors will not only enhance the appearance of your home but will also create a healthier environment for you and your family, and at Domestique, our carpet cleaning services involve specialised equipment and industry-grade cleaning solutions to deep clean your carpets, eliminate contaminants, and extract stains without causing any damage. To maintain the cleanliness of your carpets throughout the holiday season, make sure to vacuum regularly and address any spills or stains immediately, and consider placing doormats and rugs to minimise the amount of dirt and dust that is tracked onto your carpets for clean and fresh carpets all winter.
6. Having the oven cleaned
As Christmas approaches, the oven becomes a central part of our kitchen as we prepare delicious meals and treats for our family and friends. However, it's easy for the oven to accumulate grease, food residue, and spills over time, which can affect the taste of your food and even pose a fire hazard, so be sure to have your oven professionally cleaned before the holiday season.
Our specialist oven cleaning services involve removing the racks, trays, and other removable parts for specialised cleaning before the oven itself is then cleaned using a combination of cleaning products and techniques to remove grease, grime, and burnt food, including the inside of the oven door and the oven walls.
Having your oven professionally cleaned will not only improve its appearance but will also enhance its performance, reducing the risk of smoke and odours and causing it to heat more efficiently and evenly, allowing you to cook your holiday meals to perfection.
7. Polishing and dusting
As you prepare your home for the holiday season, don't forget to give your furniture, mirrors, and other surfaces some extra attention to create a clean and inviting atmosphere for your family and friends.
Start by dusting your furniture using a microfiber cloth or a duster, including shelves, bookcases, and picture frames, as well as any decorative items or ornaments, before moving on to dust and polish any wooden furniture that you have to give it a fresh shine. Finally, use a safe glass cleaner to clean your mirrors and glass surfaces, before polishing them for a streak-free shine, and don't forget to clean your windows as well, as natural light can make your home feel brighter and more inviting.
By regularly dusting and polishing your furniture and surfaces, you'll not only keep your home looking its best but will also create a healthier environment by removing dust and allergens, so make it a part of your cleaning routine and enjoy a clean and inviting home throughout the holidays.
8. Cleaning Christmas decorations
As you bring out your Christmas decorations to adorn your home, it's important to remember that they need to be cleaned and cared for as well as your other ornaments. Dust, dirt, and even insects can accumulate on decorations that have been stored away for a year, so it's essential to clean them before displaying them in your home. Start by inspecting them for any damage or wear and tear and dispose of any broken or unsafe items before dusting off artificial trees, wreaths, and garlands and cleaning any delicate or fragile items with a mild soap or water solution to clean any accumulated grime.
9. Maintain a tidy and organised space
Maintaining a clutter-free space throughout the holiday season may require a little extra effort, but it will be well worth it. Make it a habit to put things away immediately after use, and encourage your family members to do the same, including coats, shoes and bags, particularly if your home will be more cluttered than normal over Christmas due to decorations, gifts, and guests staying in the house. By staying on top of clutter, you'll be able to maintain a tidy and organised space throughout the festive season and make it easier to tidy and clean once the decorations come down in January.
10. Professional help
If you are feeling the time pressure of having everything cleaned and tidied before Christmas, then investing in some professional cleaning help from Domestique this Christmas is a game-changer. With the hectic holiday season, having our team of expert cleaners handle your cleaning needs can free up valuable time and reduce stress, so be sure to check out our full range of domestic cleaning services and pick the ones you need to keep your home looking its best whilst you focus on enjoying the festivities with family and friends.
Christmas Cleaning with Domestique
If you are in need of a helping hand to declutter your space and have your home looking its best this Christmas, then the team here at Domestique is here to help. We offer a range of household cleaning services across the country, so whether you need a one-off seasonal clean or regular cleaning in the new year, be sure to contact us today.