Ready to master your holiday-hosting skills and prepare your home for the most wonderful time of the year? You may love being the host or hostess with the most(ess), but cleaning for the Yuletide season can be a little daunting. Whether you’re looking after the entire extended family or just a few out-of-towners, look no further than our expansive cleaning checklist for Christmas.
The trick to turning your home into the cleanest, coziest hub is all in the details—oh, and getting started ahead of schedule! After all, December is one of the busiest months of the year for every social calendar.
Keep reading to discover our best tips for seasonal cleaning and preparing for Christmas!
Preparing for Christmas: 10 Tips for a Clean Home
1. Plan Sooner, Rather Than Later
Don’t wait until the last minute—you don’t want to be a stressed out host! Instead, make sure you start the cleaning process with plenty of time to spare, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from a professional service if you need it.
2. Bulk Wash Your Bedding, Throws and Tablecloths
Take a (washing) load off your mind and head to your local Denver laundromat—at WaveMAX, we’ll get your fabrics laundered or dry cleaned, pressed and smelling fabulous to speed up the process. Don’t forget to book in advance!
3. Find a Home for Clutter
If you’re going to have more holiday traffic walking through your home, it’s a smart idea to create extra storage solutions and move anything unnecessary out of the way.
Add some extra shoe racks and wardrobe space for coats, and take anything bulky into the garage. While you’re at it, why not give your winter coats a refresh before hiding them away for the holidays?
4. Clean Every Nook and Cranny
Get ready for cleaning a little more extensively than usual—after all, your guests will be arriving soon! Dig into every corner and under every piece of furniture to rid the place of dust, grime and other mysterious crumbs you can’t quite identify. You never know what might have been hiding there all this time!
Aside from the usual countertops, don’t forget to dry and wet dust any other surfaces, chairs and furnishings. Our home remedies work a treat for any stubborn stain that’s set on sticking around for the holidays… check them out here.
5. Deep Clean Your Carpets and Rugs
Gain total peace of mind by deep cleaning your house from the very top—all the way to the very bottom. Whether it’s rugs, carpet or doormats, give them all a clean ready for welcoming more people than usual at this time of year.
Look at this as a 3-stage process:
Hoover and air out thoroughly
Pre-treat any visible stains with a solution of ¼ cup of white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon of dish soap and a cup of warm water. Use an old toothbrush for precise scrubbing power.
Carry out a general clean of rugs, doormats and even carpets too – you can hire a carpet cleaning device to keep costs to a minimum
An expert at your local Denver laundromat will be glad to advise on the best method for achieving a super deep clean on larger pieces of laundry around your home!
6. Go the Extra Mile for Guests
What would make your loved ones feel most at home? Make space for them in the closets and drawers by removing personal belongings and check the light bulbs and fittings so they’re extra- comfortable in the evenings.
Set up the room to accommodate guests accordingly—adding fold out beds and extra bedding to stay warm. Write down the WIFI password for them, and maybe provide a pair of comfy freshly cleaned slippers. They’re going to love it!
7. Focus on Rooms With Heavy Traffic
As you’re cleaning the house, hone in on one or two key spaces that are going to have people coming in and out. Wherever holiday guests are likely to congregate, such as the living room, dining room or kitchen will need a little more TLC.
Kitchen: Deep clean the oven, fridge, freezer and make space for holiday leftovers by throwing away anything past its expiry date. Wipe down all surfaces, including the top of the refrigerator! Oh, and don’t forget to stock up on plenty of nibbles for guests.
Living room: Vacuum your furniture, make sure there’s enough seating for all guests, and spot clean any stains. Fold a set of throw blankets for added comfort, and if you have a fireplace, give the chimneys a good sweep.
Dining room: Ensure there’s enough seating for all guests, wash all dishes and polish surfaces - and maybe silverware if you have any. Create a festive centerpiece, and set the table with enough space for everyone. Place name cards at the table for a finishing touch!
8. Use Festive Scents Around the Home
Think cinnamon, star anise, clove, blood orange. Pretty much anything you’d stew in a vat of mulled wine! Introducing an evergreen tree into your home will fill your home with a piney aroma—just don’t forget to vacuum the tree needles on a regular basis.
You can even find some seriously delectable gingerbread air fresheners, if you don’t fancy baking. Otherwise, have fun with the family and get baking some wholesome treats before your guests arrive. Gingerbread cookies are oh-so simple to bake, and the smell that wafts through the house is incredible!
9. Create a Warm, Cozy Atmosphere
That means blankets, candles, glowy lighting—anything that gives off that Yuletide feeling. Set the thermostat so your guests are nice and toasty, and cue your favorite festive music playlist in the background. And how about dusting off a few board games to keep the whole family entertained?
As for decoration, string up greetings cards around the hearth, pick out a fine-looking tree that fits your living space, and place some wrapped gifts underneath. Spruce up the place with boughs of holly—real or artificial – the choice is yours!
There’s so much fun to be had while decorating for the Holiday season; the trick is to find your unique style. Perhaps you prefer a more understated feel with neutral fairy lights and natural decor, or maybe you want to go all out with baubles, tinsel—the full works.
10. Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Space
Give your guests a welcoming first impression by tidying up your outside space. Use a glass cleaner (or distilled white vinegar) to polish the exterior windows, and hang up some tasteful Christmas lights for a festive feel.
Make sure there’s enough parking for your guests, and while you’re at it, let your neighbors know you’ll be having people over in advance.
If it’s a white Christmas, remember to shovel the driveway and salt the paths ready for all the festive fun ahead.
Preparing for Christmas at Your Local Laundromat
Need some extra support with your laundry for the Holiday season? Get professional assistance in your local neighborhood from people who’ll take the pressure off hosting! Googling “laundry near me” will give you a list of the best options and you’ll save heaps of time in the process.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Denver, Thornton, Westminster, Federal Heights, Broomfield or Northglenn, we’d love to see you at WaveMAX Thornton. We offer both self-service, pick-up, and drop-off laundry options, so come on down and let’s see what we can do for you.
