Christmas is a time for get-togethers, celebrations and seasonal parties – so it's no surprise that, often, household cleaning can get put on the back burner.
But, if you have guests coming and going over the season, ensuring your house is clean is just as important as perfecting your Christmas decorations and recipes. From cleaning a kitchen to getting your fireplace in tip-top order, there is nothing more welcoming and comfortable than a clean home.
These are the 10 cleaning tips our experts recommend to get your house in perfect shape for hosting Christmas festivities this year.
Pre-Christmas cleaning tasks to tick off
1. Deodorize the kitchen by cleaning the oven and fridge for better-tasting food
While it may seem counterintuitive to clean an oven before cooking a large, often greasy, meal like a turkey or roast beef joint, cleaning cooking appliances can remove odors and built-up grease stains and make your food taste better. Given that Christmas dinner is one of the most anticipated meals of the year, any chance of getting the flavors just right is paramount.
Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless, says, 'With all the cooking and baking that'll go on, a clean oven is a must! Any leftover grease or spills from previous meals could create strong, unpleasant odors. A clean oven ensures all those mouthwatering holiday dishes come out just right!'
I use this Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner available at Amazon, and it makes my oven sparkle as if it were new with barely any scrubbing at all. If you prefer not to use chemicals, you can also try some oven-cleaning hacks, such as cleaning with baking soda, using the bestselling ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda available at Walmart.
I always make sure to clean the glass oven door, too, as this is where the majority of grease spits out and builds up unnoticed over time, and clean oven racks by soaking in warm, soapy water before hand-washing. I use the Dawn Ultra Dish Soap Dishwashing Liquid available at Walmart for this.
And, deodorizing a refrigerator is just as important if you want perfectly tasting food. To do this, start by clearing out any old food that may be hiding at the back of the shelf and clean down the shelves and door with a microfiber cloth, such as the HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth available at Amazon, and soapy water.
After drying it down with a clean towel, I replace any good food and pop a small bowl of white vinegar at the back of the bottom shelf. Cleaning with vinegar helps neutralize food odors and leaves my fridge smelling fresh for my Christmas treats.
Forrest Webber, cleaning expert and founder of Bear Brothers Cleaning and The Trade Table, also recommends popping an open box of baking soda in the fridge. He says, 'This way, your holiday leftovers won’t end up smelling like last month’s takeout.' Recently, I tested using coffee and salt to deodorize a fridge, and recommend it as another, eco-friendly alternative.
2. Prepare the guest bedroom by washing linens
If I am having guests stay over the holidays, preparing my guest bedroom ideas is always a priority on my pre-Christmas cleaning list. Other than adding the obvious Christmas bedroom decor ideas to the space, I always launder the linens that may have been left on the bed for some time to ensure they are fresh.
If you have one, it's also important to clean your guest bathroom ideas, to ensure your guests have a sanitized sanctuary to enjoy, recommends Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a neighborly company.
She says, 'Ensure that the towels, rugs and bathmats are all freshly laundered. Disinfect the toilet, tub, shower and surfaces, and wipe clean the sink, mirror, cabinets and doorways. Then, sweep and mop the floor.' Make sure you know how to wash a bathmat properly before getting started, and if you want spotless mirrors, I recently tried cleaning my mirror with shaving foam, and was seriously impressed with the results.
Despite the often cold weather, I will also make sure to ventilate the room by opening the windows, too, while I work to help freshen up the space. Then, once finished, I close them and light a wonderfully scented Christmas candle, such as my favorite Skandinavisk Skog Scented Candle available at Amazon. I then leave some matches behind in case my guests want to enjoy their scent while they stay.
Even if you don't plan on having guests staying over the holiday season, Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia's Cleaning Service, recommends getting these tasks done anyway. She says, 'Deep cleaning and preparing guest rooms is definitely something I recommend taking care of before Christmas, even if you're not necessarily expecting guests.
'Things happen and sometimes someone might not be able to drive home, especially in areas of the country that will be expecting snow around the holidays,' so it's best to get yours in shape ahead of time.
This bedding set includes one comforter and two pillowcases. It's machine washable and tumble-dry safe, making it quick and easy to wash and reuse when guests come and go over the holidays.
I absolutely adore this gorgeous matchbox for an adorable yet functional touch in a guest bedroom. And, as your guests leave over the holiday season, you can gift it for them to take home.
This washing detergent is a fail-safe option for washing bedding for guests, as it's hypoallergenic, and 100% free of perfumes and dyes. It's also tough on stains, and is the number one recommended brand by dermatologists.
3. Wipe down the internal doors
Washing doors may seem unnecessary, but I find that using the right mix of water and essential oils not only helps to get rid of dust from small ledges but also helps make a home smell nice.
For a simple door cleaner, I mix one cup of plain water with five or so drops of my favorite essential oil such as geranium essential oil from Amazon for a spa smell, in a spray bottle, such as the Equate 8 oz Plastic Spraybottle available at Walmart.
I then spray the solution either directly onto my door or onto a soft cloth, such as the Microfiber Cleaning Cloth available at Amazon, and buff until all the dust has gone – leaving my rooms smelling fresh.
Don't forget to clean your baseboards, either, advises Toner. She says, 'Baseboards and doors tend to get overlooked, but they collect dirt and scuff marks. Giving them a quick wipe-down will make a surprisingly big difference in making rooms look fresh and clean.'
Around the holidays, I like to choose essential oils with scents such as peppermint or pine as an easy, seasonal way to make my home smell good for Christmas.
This essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from fresh pine leaves, for a deep aroma that works in a diffuser, for cleaning, or for aromatherapy. It has a strong, woody scent, resemblant of festive forests.
4. Clean windows inside and out
Cleaning windows is usually a task people leave for spring and summer, but wiping them down in winter (especially if there has been snow or rain) will help to keep your glass sparkling for the perfect view of your Christmas window decor ideas.
On the outside of my windows, I use a freeze-resistant cleaner, such as the SPLASH Red Hot De-icer Windshield Trigger Spray available at Amazon, to help prevent my windows from freezing over in cold temperatures. I dilute the solution with warm, not hot, water and wipe down the exterior of the windows before clearing the water away and buffing the glass with a dry towel to remove streaks. The good news is that, due to the cold temperatures, the water does not evaporate and leave streaks before I can buff it clear.
For the inside, I use this dish soap solution for streak-free windows, or combine one part white vinegar (such as the Great Value Distilled White Vinegar available at Walmart) with ten parts warm water and a few drops of a nice-smelling essential oil in a spray bottle. I then spray the mixture directly onto the panes before using a microfiber cloth to buff the window, leaving it shiny and spotless. Why not try making the best homemade window cleaner ahead of the holidays?
5. Use a lint roller on furniture and lampshades
Dusting lampshades might seem a little excessive, but for a time of year when the sun sets early and we spend most of our waking hours in the dark, it makes a lot of sense. Dusting lampshades is not always easily done with a grippy microfiber cloth, however, so I use a reusable lint roller such as the Reusable Sticky Picker Set Cleaner Lint Roller available to Amazon to run over the lampshades in my house and clear them of dust and settled hair.
Once I have done that, I move on to my furniture. If I notice any pilling on the fabric of my furniture or soft furnishings I first use a lint rake, such as the Portable Lint Remover available to Amazon, to remove bumps before using the lint roller to collect and remove any loose fibers. Then, I take time to fix any sagging couch cushions. The result is a brand-new-looking sofa ready to impress and welcome guests.
6. Clean out fireplaces and log stoves
If you are lucky enough to have a working fireplace or log stove in your home then you will likely have had the chimney swept when preparing you home for fall. Before Christmas, however, it is a good idea to do a quick check of the hearth and clear out any collected soot or ash.
Given that fireplace ideas are often a big focal point when guests come around, making sure it is clean and your wood pile is well stocked will make it that much more impressive – plus a clean fireplace helps a fire burn better and truly elevates your Christmas mantel decor ideas.
If you're not sure how to, our dedicated, expert-led guide on how to clean a fireplace details step-by-step instructions to get yours looking its best. We recommend investing in a brush set, such as the Coal Shovel and Hearth Brush Set available at Amazon, for touch-ups all winter long.
When you're up and running, make use of the great ways to make your fire smell good as it burns.
7. Launder table linens and polish silverware
Christmas dining room decor looks fantastic when done well, but is often improved by having fresh table linens, napkins, and polished silverware. I recently discovered that you can buy pine-scented laundry detergent, such as the Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Alpine Falls available at Amazon, and I cannot wait to try it for my table linens this year.
Cleaning expert Toner advises, 'If you'll be using special silverware or glassware, give them a polish in advance. This lets you set a sparkling table without worrying about fingerprints or tarnish on the big day.' Knowing how to clean silver can seem daunting sometimes, but in reality, it is pretty simple to polish silverware and get it looking its best for the holidays.
While it is not quite as simple as popping it in the dishwasher, I use a home mix of baking soda and water (mixed until it forms a paste) to coat my silverware. I leave this paste to sit for a few minutes before washing it away and buffing it with a silver cloth.
For my glasses, I have mastered how to clean wine glasses properly, and always polish them afterwards with a soft tea-towel.
The result? Perfectly polished tableware, ready for hosting the big day with family and friends.
This gorgeously fun dishtowel is the perfect way to make polishing silverware and glassware festive. Plus, it will look great on display in your kitchen for the big day, too.
8. Wipe down outside lights and decorations
When I say wipe down outdoor Christmas decor, I do not, of course, mean going around and polishing each individual fairy light, as fastidious a cleaner as you might be.
Instead, I mean using a cloth to quickly clear away any marks, built-up snow, or leaves that have built up from larger, more prominent Christmas lights so that they shine perfectly through the long nights. I usually do this a little closer to Christmas eve, for a beautiful display as guests arrive.
9. Clear out-of-season coats from entryway closets
When preparing for guests, it can be easy to forget what is behind closed doors until it is too late, but, as cleaning expert Toner points out, 'The entryway sets the first impression for your guests. A well organized space allows them to feel instantly welcomes and relaxed as they step inside, especially with the extra coats, bags and shoes that can come with holiday gatherings.'
So, when cleaning my home for Christmas, I always make sure to check my entryway closet ideas and wall hangers to make sure there is space for guests' boots and coats. This not only makes them feel welcome, but also means I am not fumbling with where to keep them once they arrive.
Usually, my closet is overfilled with spring coats that should have already been moved to storage earlier in the year. I make sure to pack these away into a packing bag, such as the Fab totes 6 Pack Clothes Storage Bags available at Amazon, and pop them at the back of my closet or under my bed to make space.
Toner also recommends placing a shoe rack, such as the SONGMICS Shoe Rack available at Amazon by your door, if you don't already have one, and adding a festive welcome mat for extra cheer.
.This is a great tip if you want to look like the effortless host from the get-go in the holidays.
This seasonal doormat is crafted from eco-friendly coconut fiber, and works well as a durable mat for wiping off dirt, sleet and snow, while adding a festive touch to your entryway.
10. Vacuum and shampoo carpets
For a quick carpet fix, cleaning expert Webber recommends cleaning a carpet with baking soda. He says, 'Sprinkle some baking soda on the carpets and give them a quick vacuum,' after 15 to 30 minutes, using your best vacuum. 'It's a simple way to keep the space fresh, even with all the extra food traffic,' he continues.
To deep clean a carpet, if yours needs some extra attention, you may also wish to use a shampoo, such as the Zep All-Purpose Carpet Shampoo Concentrate Cleaner available at Amazon, which is formulated for use in a carpet cleaning machine, You can rent these for the day, or you may also want to clean a carpet without a machine. Luckily, this is just as easy, and can be just as effective.
FAQs
Why do we clean before Christmas?
Cleaning before Christmas is important as it helps to prepare the house and make holiday hosting a little less stressful. What's more, it helps give guests the right impression, making them feel welcomed and comfortable from the get-go.
When should you start cleaning before Christmas?
When you start cleaning before Christmas largely depends on how many tasks you have to complete, but many people start around two or three weeks before the main event in order to get everything done without rushing.
If you're not sure if you should deep clean your home before or after Christmas, it's usually recommended to get it done before celebrations kick off. This will save you time and energy in the new year – and, after all, who doesn't want that.
Once you've ticked off your pre-Christmas cleaning checklist, it's time to move on to decluttering. My pre-Christmas decluttering rules prepare my home for an influx of guests, gifts and goodies, and keep my home tidy throughout the holiday season.
