8 Simple & Smart Holiday Cleaning Tips

Are you planning to celebrate with friends and family members at home this holiday season? Thanks to eased lockdown restrictions, Australians in New South Wales can host gatherings for up to 50 people (30 if the residence has no outdoor space). The only thing you have to worry about is whether or not your home is ready for the holidays.

The phrase “work smarter, not harder” applies to cleaning more than any other. If you clean your home the smart way, you will achieve your cleaning goals more efficiently and with less stress; this saves you time and energy, focusing more on holiday preparations. It also ensures that the festivities are not interrupted by any inconveniences – such as running out of toilet paper or having a clogged drain.



Here are some simple and smart cleaning tips to help get your home ready for the holiday season:

Declutter your home before holiday cleaning so it’s easier to dust and wipe down surfaces. Start in the busiest areas of your holiday house (entryway, kitchen, living area, dining room etc.) and slowly work your way through the others. Toss out of season items that are broken, you no longer use, or do not bring you joy. If an item can still be used, add it to your donation box.

Conduct a deep clean of your home weeks in advance. Go through every room, including areas of each room that are hidden away, and make sure you dust, wipe down and clean everything that your guests will touch, use, or look at. Though you may need to do some quick cleaning days or hours before the guests arrive, doing this gives you plenty of time and energy for holiday preparations like decorating, holiday cooking, etc. 

Make a list of all the cleaning tasks that need to be completed before the holidays. This will help ensure you do not forget anything and can easily delegate tasks to other family members. Once the list is made, start crossing things off as you complete them.

The entryway is the first interior room that your holiday guests will see. For this reason, it needs to be sparkling clean. Make sure that the front porch is thoroughly cleaned as part of your advanced deep clean. Make some room for shoes and, if you have a front closest, add some extra hangers for guest coats and jackets.

As the heart of the home where you and your guests are likely to spend a lot of time in during the holidays, it’s important to make sure that your kitchen is ready for all the action. You need to stock up on essentials such as garbage bags and dishwasher detergent. Make sure that the insides of the kitchen appliances as well as the table linens and washcloths are nice and clean.

Your dining room should be just as clean as your living area and kitchen. If you have a formal dining room table or coffee table, make sure that it’s properly polished. Hang fresh curtains, if you have any, and set the table with beautiful place settings or fresh flowers.

If you have overnight guests, make sure that the guest room is clean and clutter-free. De-clutter the surfaces, clear out any unnecessary items from the dresser drawers and closet to make sure they can store their personal belongings and add fresh sheets to the bed.

Be sure to vacuum carpets and sweep every room in your home, even if guests won’t be spending time there. This will help to remove any dust, dirt or debris that could end up transferred to other areas of your home.

Lastly, don’t forget about the outside of your home. Your guests will likely see the exterior of your home before they even step foot inside, so you want to make sure that it’s presentable. Give your front door a fresh coat of paint, if needed, and sweep the porch and walkway. Consider adding some potted plants or flowers to add a pop of colour and life to your entryway.

The holidays are a busy time of year, so don't try to do too much. Choose one or two rooms that you want to focus on and leave the rest for another day. Trying to do too much at once will only overwhelm you and make the process more difficult.

There is no doubt that the holidays can be stressful, but with a bit of planning and organisation, you can still enjoy the festivities while keeping your home looking great! These are just a few cleaning tips you can use to get your home ready for the holidays. With a bit of preparation, you can easily knock out the cleaning and get your home looking great in no time.