The holidays are a time for family and friends coming together
to celebrate the season and enjoy each other’s company. Unfortunately, this
also means the holidays can be an often-hectic parade of parties, family
dinners, and events that leave you with absolutely no spare time. How do you
check all the items off your holiday to-do list and still keep your home
presentable for all the guests (both expected and unexpected!) that may be
popping by to share a cup of cheer? Follow these quick and easy housecleaning
tips to keep your home in tip-top shape no matter what the holiday season
throws your way.
Clean in
Advance- This may seem like a no-brainier, but it’s worth mentioning that a
little advance planning can save you a world of stress on the actual day of a
party or dinner in your home. About a week prior to your holiday event, tackle
the chores that can be done ahead of time, such as spot-cleaning any stains on
your upholstery or walls, steam-cleaning the rugs or dusting the blinds. This
leaves you free to do only a few last-minute housekeeping duties on the day of
your party, and keeps the house looking tidy in the event of unexpected guests
in the meantime.
Follow the
5-Minute Rule- If time has gotten away from you, see how much you can do in
5 minutes. Look at your house through the eyes of your visitors- chances are
they aren’t taking in the minor details or running over every surface of your
home with a white glove. (If they are, it’s time to find new friends!) Use your
5-minute window to go over surfaces with glass cleaner or furniture polish and
a soft cloth, run the vacuum in the major traffic areas such as the living room
rug, and wipe down your kitchen countertops. Also take a moment to make sure
your bathrooms are clean and presentable with Clorox Wipes and a quick swish of
the toilet brush. Boom! Instant clean house!
Grab a Laundry
Basket- If it’s getting down to crunch time and you haven’t had any time to
pre-clean and organize, don’t worry- just grab a laundry basket and make a
general sweep of the areas of the house where guests are likely to congregate.
Throw everything that is cluttering up your surfaces into the laundry basket,
then stash it in a closet to deal with later. Sure, it’s cheating, but it will
maximize your time, cut down on stress, and give you more time to spend with
family and friends. Sounds like a win!
At the end of the day, remember that your loved ones are there
to see you, not your sparkling clean house. Wishing you a stress-free holiday
season!
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