<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1369146263167665&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

House Cleaning Blog

Cleaning for the Holidays: Your Holiday Cleaner Must-Hit List For The Perfect Christmas Morning

  Natasha  |    Dec 7, 2022 9:00:00 AM  |    Northern Virginia

As you prepare for holiday festivities, cleaning the house may be the most dreaded task on your to-do list. But cleaning for the holidays doesn’t have to be overwhelming and stressful. Take it one step — and one room — at a time, and before you know it, your home will be in top shape for the holiday season. 

As you countdown to Christmas, try to designate one Christmas cleaning task each day. Taking it one day at a time will reduce the stress of the holiday season and ensure you don’t have to spend all day cleaning right before the holiday. Here we share the main areas you need to focus on when cleaning for the holidays, so your home will be ready for all the guests and festivities the season brings. 

Where to Start When Cleaning a House: The Kitchen

The kitchen is central to gatherings and festivities during the holiday season, so cleaning the kitchen should be at the top of your list. Make sure this central gathering space is ready for guests to enjoy drinks and hors d’ouvres, and more importantly, that it’s ready for you to do all the food prep you need. No one wants to cook in a dirty kitchen — and what’s more, it can be a food safety hazard.

Make sure to clean the oven, stove, microwave, and other frequently used appliances (check out this post on cleaning a kitchen for tips on cleaning an oven with baking soda and more). Clean out the refrigerator and get rid of any out-of-date food. Not only will this eliminate unwanted odors, but you’ll also be making space for holiday leftovers. 

Lastly, make sure to declutter your counter and dining room table. While the counter may be a good place to store unanswered mail for most of the year, you’ll want to find someplace out of sight to keep it when cleaning for the holidays. This may even be a good opportunity to reorganize your space and find a better way to deal with those unpaid bills.

Living Area

Start with the basics: dust and vacuum thoroughly. Start with the ceiling fan, if you have one, then move to dusting the other furniture and vacuuming the floor. Make sure to move furniture or use a wand to reach underneath it, and while you’re at it, remove seat cushions and vacuum underneath. Christmas cleaning is a great time to get rid of the dirt that accumulates under or in the furniture.

If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s cleaned for the holidays and ready for a cozy night around the fire or cooking s’mores. Vacuum the hearth thoroughly to make sure there’s no soot that can get on Christmas presents or stockings. This is a great time to rearrange any fireplace decorations you may have, as well. 

Next, clean up the Christmas tree area. If you have a real tree, you’ll need to sweep or vacuum around the base of the tree regularly throughout the Christmas season, but even artificial trees can still drop needles. While you’re at it, check that your tree has enough water — a dried-out tree will start dropping needles much more quickly, and it can also be a fire hazard.

Guest Bedroom and Bathroom

If you’re wondering where to start when cleaning a house, the guest bedroom may not be at the top of your list. However, this is one area you should always make sure to address before the festivities and family gatherings begin. What if your family shows up a day early, or an old friend makes an unexpected appearance? It’s always useful to have someplace to put people up for the night — or even just somewhere for a tired guest to take a nap, if they happen to be passing through and stop for a few too many holiday drinks. You don’t need to do a full deep cleaning for the holidays, but at least ensure that there are fresh linens on the bed and the room is dusted.

Each of your guests will probably make a trip to the bathroom at least once, so make sure it’s ready to receive them. Set some extra rolls of toilet paper under the counter for easy guest access, and make sure the mirrors and counter(s) are clean. In addition to cleaning for Christmas, you might also consider a cinnamon-scented wax melt or air freshener (while it may be tempting to light a candle, an open flame should never be left unattended) to make the restroom experience feel more festive and keep any potential stench at bay. If you’re having out-of-town guests, consider also making a holiday guest basket with everything they might need (such as washcloths, mouthwash, or other hygiene items) and place it within easy reach. It’s easy, quick, and will make your guests’ experience so much better!

Hire a Cleaner for the Holiday Season

If you can’t fit deep cleaning into your schedule this season, or if you’d rather spend time with the people closest to you, then call us at (571) 732-2199 for local house cleaning services near you. Ask us how to estimate cleaning a house – we are always happy to offer a free estimate! We offer cleaning services on weekends and weekdays, so you can save money and spend time on what matters most to you. We are bonded, licensed, and insured for your protection. All staff members are experienced in the industry and pass a 7-year background check. Additionally, our team is fully vaccinated, and we follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

After you search for the best house cleaning services near you and read some of our reviews from delighted customers, then contact us for more information about these quality services. We're here to help you have a stress-free and clean holiday season!