The Countdown to Clean 2023: 10 Tips to Get Your Home Holiday-Ready

November 6, 2023 | Seasonal, Cleaning Tips

You don't get your home holiday-ready for just yourself. If your house is the destination for a lively Hanukkah, cozy Kwanzaa, jolly Christmas, or even a friend group gift exchange, we know you want to get your space ship-shape for your holiday guests!

Think of a pristine party-setting as an extra present to those you celebrate with. 😉

But before you know it, the holidays are right around the corner—the countdown to cleaning is starting! Where do you begin? How do you deep clean for the holidays?

Lucky for you, we’re here with the holiday cleaning tips you need to end 2023 on a spick-and-span note.

Roll your sleeves up and let’s get cleaning!

3 Weeks Out From Holiday Guests Arriving

1) Get Your Family Involved in the Cleaning

Getting the whole family involved in the cleaning process lightens the workload and can quickly creates a memorable holiday tradition (that lessens your work a bit for a change). Assign specific tasks to each family member, so everyone has a role to play in the Countdown to Clean!

Here’s a hack to put under your hat: To add an element of fun, put on your favorite festive music and turn the cleaning session into a friendly competition. This not only makes the task more enjoyable but also helps keep everyone motivated.

2) Declutter and Organize

Step aside, spring cleaning — a great time of year to declutter your space is right before the holiday season!

When it’s time for tidying up, we recommend organizing the common spaces, the living room, and the family room. Clear out unnecessary items, like old magazines, unused decor, and redundant furniture. Consider multi-purpose storage solutions like ottomans or coffee tables with built-in compartments to keep things tidy. Invest in storage baskets or shelves to keep DVDs, video games, and remote controls organized.

When freeing up space, consider donating the toys and games that are no longer in use. (You know the ones — the birthday presents that the kids got bored with after one play session.)

Finally, address any general common spaces, like hallways or foyers, that might accumulate clutter. Utilize hooks or shelves for coats, bags, and shoes to maintain a tidy and welcoming entrance.

Sometimes simple cleaning tips are the best. Less clutter means more room to stretch and relax with your guests to come.

3) Give the Guest Room a Deep Clean (Even if those in-laws are staying over)

With the clutter all put away the next box to check on the O-Cedar holiday cleaning checklist? We suggest starting the deep clean with your guest rooms. They likely only get a little action, so cleaning them a few weeks out from the holiday ensures that they'll stay spotless up until the main event.

You'll want to wash all of the bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers. After the laundry is done, run a vacuum, steam clean your carpets, and sweep floors.

Dusting and wiping down all surfaces, including nightstands, dressers, and lamps will keep things fresh.

Want an extra hack for tackling your guest room? For those with or without furry roommates, try taking the Pet Pro Broom & Step-On Dust Pan for a spin. With its V-shaped, dual-bristle technology, and step-on dust pan that seals to the floor… you can rest assured that there won't be a single stray hair or dust bunny for particularly nosy guests to find.

Two Weeks Until Your Guests Arrive

4) Deep Clean the Kitchen

Preparing your kitchen for the holidays involves more than just cooking; it's about creating a space that's not only functional but also spotlessly clean.

Start by disinfecting countertops, backsplashes, and appliances to eliminate any potential foodborne bacteria. Empty the refrigerator of expired/unused items, to make room for the upcoming holiday feasts — because nothing kills the holiday spirit like a stinky fridge!

Don't forget to degrease and clean the oven and stovetop for a fresh, inviting cooking space. And while you’re putting in the elbow grease, try using the Scrunge^® Heavy Duty Sponge to get out some of the tough-to-scrub messes! The Scrunge lasts 20% longer than the regular kitchen sponges, meaning you’ll be scouring with the same Scrunge from now until the holidays!

When it’s time to tackle the floor, take your cleaning into high gear with the RinseClean™ Spin Mop System. Its dual-bucket system separates the clean water from the dirty water — an innovative solution to much cleaner floors, especially when you drop in a PACS Hard Floor Cleaner to add a fresh scent to a job well done.

And for any touch ups after the deep clean… the multi-purpose microfiber mop head removes over 99% of bacteria with just water.

One more hot tip here (since we know once you start spinning your mop, it’s hard to stop): Keep a fresh mop head refill for each room, and you’ll avoid any potential for germs ever spreading from one room — like your bathroom — to another.

5) Deep Clean the Bathrooms

To make sure your home is holiday-ready (so you can beat the potential judgy guests to the punch), giving your bathrooms a thorough, deep scour is critical.

Start by scrubbing and disinfecting toilets, sinks, or showers to eliminate any lingering germs or soap scum. Don't forget to wipe your mirrors and replace any worn towels for a polished look. Pay special attention to the grout and tiles to really give your bathroom that finishing sparkle.

Make sure to restock essentials like toilet paper, soap, and toiletries to keep your bathroom fully stocked.

For an extra effective clean, try the RinseClean™ Spin Mop System. Its dynamic 2-tank bucket system separates clean and dirty water, providing clean water every rinse.

6) Go Hard On All Gathering Areas

A tidy living room and family room set the stage for warm gatherings during the holidays. Start by thoroughly vacuuming your carpets and rugs, paying special attention to high-traffic areas where dirt accumulates.

Next, dust all surfaces, from shelves to entertainment centers and decorations. Then, fluff and arrange pillows and couches. And while you’re at it, arrange your seating to encourage conversation and create a cozy holiday enclave for post-meal festivities. You know, for those not interested in catching the football game.

For all hardwood floors, it’s time to bust out the big guns. The RinseClean™ Spin Mop System and its BFF, PACS Hard Floor Cleaner are a fantastic choice for scouring your floor. PACS’ naturally-derived enzymes dissolve dust and dirt, and are safe for any type of floor — vinyl, hardwood, linoleum, or tile! Not only that, but PACS fill your house with the fresh scent of Crisp Citrus or Lavender… which any guests gathered will love.

One Week Until Your Guests Arrive

7) Take On the Dining Room Decathlon:

A big and beautiful meal is best served in an inviting space begging for the bounty from a day of great cooking. Chief among those cleaning essentials often overlooked? Those pesky lamps, wall sconces, and other light fixtures. In the final week before those guests come knocking… make sure to dust all those light sources well.

From there, proceed to dust the dining room table and chairs. Pull down your serving dishes and holiday china (if you’re the sort to dress up your holiday dinner), and get what you need in the dishwasher — and be sure to call in some of your special helpers to lighten the load.

With everything staged for the big day, your cleaning checklist is that much lighter. Time for our favorite chore…

8) Refresh Your Floors

The deep cleaning is done, but make sure you keep your hardwood floors and tiles spotless with some routine, refresh-cleaning. Tailor your approach to the room’s flooring; whether it's vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping, a clean floor lifts the entire space.

Pay special attention to entryways and hallways, as they're prime spots for dirt and debris buildup. Strategically place area rugs in high-traffic areas to protect your floors and add a touch of style to your space.

For quick cleans, the ProMist^® MAX Microfiber Spray Mop is a game-changer for hard floors. Its double-sided microfiber mop pad removes 99% of bacteria with just water and is designed to be washed and reused… which means you save time AND money over those disposable spray mops (which require repeat trips to the store to stock up). Plus… you can feel better about reducing your carbon footprint!

Week 4: The Big Week... and The Big Week After!

9) Enjoy the Holidays!

The big day is here, but take a moment to soak in the satisfaction of a job well done. Your deep clean efforts have created a welcoming haven, ready to embrace the warmth of the festivities and the presence of loved ones.

Now, it's time to kick back, relax, grab a drink, and soak up the holiday season. Enjoy the scent of freshly baked treats, the twinkle of lights, the joy of exchanging gifts, and the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from your impressed guests. You’ve earned it!

10) Assess the Mess, and Then Destress.

It’s a question we’re asked all too often: How do I clean my house after the holidays?

And no matter the specific holiday celebrated… after hosting, it’s easy to look at all the hard work spent making your home perfect again after tackling every last item off your holiday cleaning checklist, and feel like you’re back to square one.

But fret not!

After your guests have said their goodbyes, the last leftover is put away, and gift wrap is thrown out, gather your family cleaning squad and assess the mess. Divide and conquer.

The house cleaning checklist — now free from holiday prep — can be simplified down to the staples. One team can tackle tidying, while you take your trusty RinseClean™ Spin Mop System and revitalize the floors. So long as you have a few trusty refills handy, you’ll be able to spin, wring, clean, and then replace as you go. And remember: our powerful microfiber mop head removes 99% of bacteria with just water. The whole house will return to spotless and serene without much extra work.

Did we miss nook-and-cranny in our holiday cleaning essentials? Be sure to let us know any of your helpful cleaning hacks… and we’ll pass it along!