As the festive season approaches, it’s the perfect time to give your home a thorough cleaning and decluttering to create a welcoming, organized space. A clutter-free environment not only makes your home more inviting but also reduces stress during the busy holiday period. One effective way to manage excess belongings is by utilizing self-storage or utility storage solutions. Storing away non-essential items can free up valuable space, making it easier to clean and decorate your home for the festivities.
Whether you’re downsizing, renovating, or just looking for efficient storage options, self-storage units offer the flexibility to keep your home organized while keeping seldom-used items safe. Decluttering before the holidays ensures your home is more functional, creating a sense of calm for both you and your guests. From tidying up the living room to organizing the kitchen, these festive cleaning tips will help you prepare your home and make it sparkle just in time for the holiday celebrations.
Tip 1: Deep Clean the Kitchen
One of the most crucial areas in our house is the kitchen. Every day, we spend a significant amount of time there cooking, tidying up after ourselves, and having family dinners. We devote a lot of time cooking, baking, making sweets, etc., for the family around the festival season. As you go through the process of cleaning appliances and clearing out drawers throughout the weeks leading up to the preparation for the holidays, you may come across some items that you do not need or are not working properly. It is highly suggested that you check ahead of time and make a list of the appliances that you do not need or need to go in for repair. Festival cleaning is incomplete without cleaning the kitchen.
Do not put off getting ready for family and guests until the last minute. Making a start on your to-do list today will help you to reduce your stress in the future. Here are some other tips that are useful to keep in mind while preparing your kitchen for the hectic season:
- Keep the counters and backsplash clean
Keeping your kitchen looking great can be accomplished most simply by cleaning the counters and backsplash. To clean the surfaces, just mix some dish soap with some warm water. Use baking soda and vinegar as a cleaning agent for harder stains like grease. Simply apply the mixture to the surface, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then wipe away any extra. Try not to leave the spills for too long because they attract bacteria and become harder to clean.
- Verify that everything is stored properly.
Consider investing in a cabinet organiser if your kitchen lacks adequate storage space. Typically, these organisers have shelves and drawers to help you organise your belongings. They are ideal for concealing but still making accessible items like utensils and spices. Make sure all the cleaning supplies you could need, such as sponges, rags, mops, and other items, are concealed but within easy reach as well like under the kitchen sink.
- Replace worn appliances
Your microwave, refrigerator, and oven all put forth ongoing effort to maintain the quality and safety of your food. However, after some time, those gadgets begin to suffer from wear and tear. When it is time to replace them, look up online evaluations and get feedback from your friends and neighbours to identify the best appliance for your family.
Tip 2: Bathroom Deep Cleaning
Cleaning your bathroom is not easy. Your toilet needs to be cleaned regularly. With guests arriving during the festive season, they tend to need more regular cleaning, but you do not want to spend all day cleaning it. Additionally, you do not want to use corrosive chemicals that can harm your tiles and pipes. However, how can you tell which agents are secure enough to utilise near your plumbing system?
The best course of action when you need to thoroughly clean for the holiday season is to contact a licenced plumber. They will be knowledgeable on the best products for use with showers, tubs, sinks, toilets, and much more. Get quality cleaning and look for cleaning products that include hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or bleach. Use this chance to declutter your bathroom too!
Tip 3: Organise Bedroom
The extra bedroom is frequently forgotten about because it does not seem to be used too much. However, during the holiday season, it may play host to several visitors. You can do a lot with it to make it feel more comfortable. Make room for storage. Simply adding shelves or drawers will suffice to provide space for your guests’ clothing without costing a lot. If you do not have enough room, think about installing a clothing unit.
Layering fabrics, textures, soft bedlinen, quilts, warm lighting, and a brightly coloured blanket at the foot of the bed will help a guest bedroom feel like a home away from home. All these supplies can be placed in the cabinets of the room or even moved to your Self-storage unit to protect them from weather and unwanted bugs eating away at them when the festive season is over.
Throw pillows and bright colours on them to decorate with eye-catching art and furnishings.
Tip 4: Special Crockery
Those special dinner plates gifted at your wedding or some fine China you had bought on your trips might be stored away safely in your self-storage unit. The festive season is the perfect excuse to bring them back into your home. Keeping crockery in a self-storage unit is the best way to make sure they do not lose their lustre or get damaged in cleaning.
Silverware should never be washed with soap or detergent; instead, it should be stored with chalk to avoid tarnishing. Clean the cutlery by rubbing it in a solution of a little baking soda and warm water. This helps keep your silverware looking shining and avoids tarnishing.
Tips 5: Laundrette
One of the most laborious activities we complete each week is washing the laundry. Prior to the holiday season though, it can be additionally intimidating. There are many methods to improve, speed up, and make things simpler. Laundry consumes a lot of time during festival cleaning.
Wear protective gloves whenever you clean; wash your garments and drapes with high-quality detergent, and never leave cleaning supplies where children may access them.
Tip 6: Clean High-Traffic Areas
High-traffic areas like entryways and hallways can easily become cluttered and dirty, especially during the festive season when more people are moving in and out of your home. Cleaning these spaces is essential to ensure your home feels welcoming to guests as soon as they walk in the door.
Start by decluttering these areas. Shoes, jackets, bags, and other items tend to accumulate in entryways, so consider using storage solutions such as wall hooks, shoe racks, or even storage benches.
Next, give these high-traffic areas a thorough cleaning. Sweep or vacuum the floors, paying close attention to corners where dust and dirt tend to gather. If you have carpets in these areas, consider giving them a deep clean or shampoo to remove any stains or odors. For hard floors, mopping with a cleaning solution will keep them shiny and fresh.
For instance, have a dedicated area for shoes and coats near the door to avoid a pile-up of belongings. Regularly tidying these spaces will help them stay clean throughout the festive season, ensuring your home always looks guest-ready.
Tip 7: Dust and Polish Décor
The festive season is a time when decorations take center stage in your home, whether it’s a Christmas tree, lights, or other holiday décor. However, before you begin decorating, it’s crucial to dust and polish all surfaces to make sure your home shines.
Start by dusting off your festive decorations. If they’ve been stored away in boxes, they might be dusty or have accumulated grime over the months. Use a microfiber cloth or duster to gently clean ornaments, lights, and other decorative items. For delicate or fragile items, take extra care and use a soft brush to avoid damaging them.
For metal or wooden décor items, use appropriate cleaning solutions to polish them, bringing out their natural shine. Candlesticks, frames, and other decorative pieces can become dull over time, but with a quick polish, they’ll look brand new and ready for the season.
Tip 8: Organize Storage Spaces
The festive season is a great time to declutter and organize storage spaces like closets, pantries, and shelves. With guests visiting and holiday activities in full swing, an organized storage system helps you find what you need quickly and keeps your home from becoming cluttered.
Start with your closets. Go through clothes and other items, and store away anything you won’t be using during the festive season, such as summer clothes or extra linens. For your pantry, take the opportunity to organize your shelves. Clear out expired or unused food items, and group similar products together, such as spices, canned goods, and baking supplies. This will make meal preparations easier and faster during the festive season. Use storage bins, labeled containers, or baskets to keep things neat and easily accessible.
Tip 9: Address Outdoor Areas
Start by sweeping or power-washing your outdoor areas. Remove debris, dirt, and fallen leaves from patios and balconies. If you have outdoor furniture, give it a good clean as well, wiping down surfaces and shaking off any accumulated dust. If your outdoor furniture has cushions, check to see if they need cleaning or replacement for a fresher look.
Next, clean your entrance area. Sweep the walkway and steps leading up to your front door, and make sure the door itself is clean and welcoming. Adding festive touches like a seasonal doormat or a decorative wreath can instantly enhance the appearance of your home.
Consider adding outdoor lighting to brighten up your space and create a cozy, festive atmosphere. String lights along railings, around trees, or across your porch to add warmth and charm.
Tip 10: Set Up a Cleaning Schedule
Start by making a list of all the areas in your home that need cleaning and organizing. Prioritize the most important tasks, such as high-traffic areas, and work your way through the list. You can spread these tasks out over a few weeks, tackling one area or room each day. This way, the cleaning process feels more achievable and less overwhelming.
Additionally, involve family members in the cleaning process by assigning specific tasks to everyone. This will not only make the process faster but also ensure the house stays cleaner for longer.
With a well-planned cleaning schedule, you’ll have more time to enjoy the festive season with less stress and a beautifully clean home.
Conclusion for Festival cleaning
By following these festive cleaning tips, you can create a well-organized and welcoming home for the holiday season. Decluttering high-traffic areas, dusting and polishing décor, organizing storage spaces, and addressing outdoor areas will make your space more functional and enjoyable for guests. Setting up a manageable cleaning schedule helps you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed, allowing you to enjoy a stress-free festive season. With thoughtful preparation, your home will not only look sparkling clean but also create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for celebrating with loved ones during the holidays.
FAQs for Festival cleaning
A: Begin by making a detailed checklist of areas to clean. Prioritize high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen.
A: Clean your windows at least a week before the event to ensure they’re streak-free. This allows time for any touch-ups if needed.
A: Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly, focusing on high-traffic spots. For stains, use a carpet cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water.
A: Use essential oils or scented candles with holiday fragrances. Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon and cloves for a natural aroma.
A: Clean decorations with a damp cloth and store them in clear bins. Label each bin for easy access next season.
A: Use extendable dusters or vacuum attachments for high shelves and ceiling fans. A step ladder can help with accessing top areas.
A: Wipe down surfaces after every meal and keep a bowl of soapy water near the sink for easy dish cleanup. Clean spills immediately.
A: Vacuum upholstery to remove dust and crumbs. Spot-clean any stains with a fabric cleaner suited for the material.
A: Scrub sinks, toilets, and showers with disinfectant. Replace old towels with fresh, festive ones and ensure ample toilet paper and hand soap.
A: Place doormats at entrances and ask guests to remove their shoes. Regularly tidy up high-traffic areas and have a designated spot for coats and bags.
