Soon your home will be brimming with the jolly sounds of company—are you ready? If not, don’t worry—we have 5 things you should clean that will instantly give your home a holiday lift, making your guests feel welcome and comfortable during their visit.
Front Porch/Entryway
Your porch and entryway are the very first impression guests get of your home so don’t skimp on spending time getting the space clean and organized. Wipe down glass doors and light fixtures as well as vacuum or sweep the floors. Next, get rid of coats, shoes and backpacks and add a small bench or table with a vase of fresh sprigs of evergreen. Be considerate of guests bearing heavy winter coats and boots by making sure you have a place for them to put their winter wear and have a clean, fresh doormat at every entrance. Not only will this be a nice display of holiday hospitality, but it will help minimize guests bringing outside elements into your home.
Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures and Cabinets, Oh My
In addition to making your home instantly bright, dusting these often forgotten surfaces goes a long way towards improving the overall air quality of your home. Using a microfiber cloth, quickly dust all lights, ceiling fans and cabinets—paying special attention to those rooms where guests will gather. Click here for tips on cleaning ceiling fans and here for cleaning light fixtures. For stubborn stains—like grease on kitchen cabinets–pour diluted vinegar into a spray bottle and apply to the greased area. Wipe clean after 5-10 minutes. Be sure to vacuum each room after you have finished your dusting.
Bottom and Inside of Refrigerator
Your kitchen is going to get an extra workout this holiday season and a messy (and smelly) fridge can instantly kill the festive vibe of your home. Wipe down the bottom and inside of your fridge, pulling out drawers and discarding spoiled produce and other expired content. Once the drawers are pulled out, wash them in soapy water and wipe the area BENEATH the drawers—this is the one spot where crumbs and spills seem to congregate. Grab your bottle of diluted vinegar to spray on tough, greasy spots. Keep odors at bay by having an open box of baking soda inside the fridge.
Clean Blankets
Nothing says winter comfort like a warm blanket. Unfortunately, many of us forget to give these wonderful throw blankets a regular wash. Do a quick walk through your home and grab all your blankets—from couches to beds. Shake each blanket to release dust and dirt and hang outside for at least 30 minutes. Then, follow the cleaning instructions on each tag. If you have a wool blanket, use this great tip from Apartment Therapy on cleaning it with snow. Yes, snow.
Trash and Recycling Bins
Even if you regularly use trash bags, you still need to clean your trashcans every two months, suggests BrightNest.com. After you have emptied the trash itself, take the cans outside and spray with a hose (if you don’t have access to an outdoor hose, use your shower or bathtub). Spritz with vinegar to absorb odors and wash the inside with a scrub-brush. Let air dry outside if possible–sunlight will help kill any additional mold.
Talk to us: What is the one thing you clean before guests arrive?
image courtesy of flickr CC/Fabrice Florin