Preparing a home for Thanksgiving goes beyond planning the menu. You also need to plan for the mess you and your guests will create over the course of the day.
Post-Thanksgiving cleaning can quickly become overwhelming, which is why planning ahead and creating an action plan can make all the difference in reducing stress and preventing you from feeling overwhelmed after an already stressful day.
Luckily, professional cleaners have shared with ultimate post-Thanksgiving cleaning checklist and cleaning tips to help you restore order to your home after the holiday celebrations.
Post-Thanksgiving cleaning checklist
When cleaning up after Thanksgiving, remember that not everything has to be tackled in one day. There are some tricks to keep a tidy kitchen while cooking Thanksgiving dinner that can take some pressure off on the day, for example. Otherwise, cleaning can be spread out over a few days.
Jess Farinha founder of London House Cleaners begins, 'Before diving in, take a moment to assess the situation. A step-by-step approach saves time and energy.'
1. Clean in zones
First, Abe Nyayapathi, manager at cleaning company, Bio Recovery advises that you 'Divide your home into specific cleanup zones to streamline the process. Focus on the dining area, kitchen, and living spaces first, as these are likely to have the most traffic.'
To change up your cleaning routine, break each room down further into task zones. Work around the room from zone by zone (similar to the Ski-Slope organizing method) to ensure you thoroughly clean each area, otherwise, it can be easy to neglect or forget certain tasks.
Cleaning a kitchen is the biggest task after hosting Thanksgiving, so it's probably the best place to begin. Work from top to bottom, cleaning cabinet fronts to get rid of kitchen grease and clean a range hood. Then, clear and clean countertops, stovetops, and ovens. Clean dirty dishes, and finish by disposing of expired or unwanted perishables, such as leftovers, vegetables, and garbage to prevent odors or pests.
Cleaning a dining room is also key – clean the table, chairs, placemats, and polish any used silverware.
You can then move on to the areas where your guests gathered, including bathrooms and guest rooms. Launder bedding and towels. Dust and vacuum each room. Don't forget to clean under the furniture. Remember, you can split these tasks up over a few days once the kitchen is clear. The 'different day, different room' housekeeping schedule is a good way to plan this out.
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A good quality degreaser and anti-bacterial spray is a must for high touch points such as kitchens and dining spaces/ The Method sprays have the added advantage of smelling great, too
Microfiber cloths help to trap dust and debris to remove it from surfaces rather than spread it around. They are machine washable too, helping to limit paper towel waste and save you money
When cleaning work from top to bottom, always finishing by sweeping or vacuuming. This was you can knock crumbs onto the floor without having to redo any tasks
2. Tackle stains promptly
The number one golden rule of stain removal is to act quickly. This is why you should set up a stain station ahead of the holiday to simplify your Thanksgiving clean-up.
Cleaning expert Jess Farinha urges, 'Deal with any food or drink spills promptly to prevent them from setting in. Address spills on tablecloths or napkins as soon as you can. Pre-treat stains before doing laundry to increase your chances of fully removing the mark.
'Opt for eco-friendly detergents to keep your linens and upholstery free from damage,' such as this biokleen natural laundry detergent liquid, from Amazon, she adds.
Tide Free & Gentle is tough on stains and odors without being tough on fabrics and skin. Mix a small amount of detergent with warm water to pre-soak items before washing as usual
3. Deep clean high-traffic areas
You may want to give your high-traffic areas and spots a deep cleaning post-holiday.
'Jess Farinha continues, Post-gathering, it's crucial to disinfect door handles and light switches. We recommend natural, non-toxic cleaners, especially if you have little ones or pets.' You can find this Safely universal cleaner, at Walmart.
Abe Nyayapathi adds that you should 'Pay special attention to your kitchen appliances, especially the oven and stovetop. A mixture of baking soda (such as Arm & Hammer baking soda, from Walmart) and water makes for a powerful yet gentle scrub that can cut through grease and grime.'
Hallways are more likely to be dirty due to the high traffic during the holiday, especially if you are hosting. When cleaning an entryway, wipe down surfaces where guests were leaving bags, brush, and vacuum door mats to remove mud before cleaning your floors, and check walls for scuff marks that might need wiping or repairing.
A good steam cleaner can be pivotal for tackling deep cleans. It can break down grease on worktops, stoves, and floors without scrubbing and without harsh chemicals
4. Revitalize home fragrance
After hosting lots of people and cooking a large meal, your house is bound to smell a little sour. While cleaning up, take steps to make your home smell nice again.
While you can go around lighting the best candles and turning on the best oil diffusers, you should always treat odors at their source.
This will be helped by your general cleaning, but you may also want to remove odors from upholstery by cleaning with baking soda. Simply sprinkle some across the surface of your furniture and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming away. Finish with a nice linen spray to add a personalized scent to upholstery heading into Christmas.
Baking soda helps to absorb and neutralize lingering odors so you remove them at the source, rather than cover them up
The P.F Candle Co. candles are made from 100% soy wax, so you get a clean burn without adding toxic chemicals to your air. Learn about candle wax types
Finishing off your cleaning with a linen spray is a great way to top up your home fragrance for a satisfying finishing touch or as a quick freshen up before guests arrive
5. Re-organize the fridge and pantry
Your pantry and fridge have likely been ransacked and refilled with leftovers during the chaos of cooking, hosting, and eating, so these should be reorganized post-Thanksgiving.
This includes upgrading your food storage ideas to reduce food waste and keep items fresh. When storing them in the fridge, keep items that are close to expiry at the front of your pantry or fridge so they are used before they go out of date.
Jess Farinha adds, 'Leftovers are great, but they can quickly overwhelm your fridge. Use clear, stackable containers for easy identification and space-saving. Don't forget to check expiration dates and clear out anything past its prime.'
Label containers with leftovers with dates. To do this, you can use this Phomemo label maker, from Amazon.
When cleaning a fridge or pantry, mix up a DIY cleaning solution made from equal white vinegar and water, and wipe down the shelves and walls with a soft microfiber cloth.
Good quality air tight containers are a must for your food storage. Not only do they keep food fresher for longer, but prevent spills and fridge odors
Using perforated baskets to organize a pantry allows food items to breathe so they are less likely to turn bad prematurely. Using containers with lids allows you to stack storage to save space
White vinegar helps to neutralize odors, get rid of mold, and kill some bacteria, making it a great cleaning solution for food storage spots where you want to avoid harsh chemicals
6. Declutter and organize Thanksgiving decor
Abe Nyayapathi suggests, 'Take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving cleanup to declutter your living spaces. Donate items you no longer need and organize belongings to create a fresh, open atmosphere.'
It is not just your Thanksgiving decor that needs addressing. When cleaning your kitchen and dining spaces, reconsider your tablescaping storage ideas at the same time. When packing away table linens, serving dishes, and place mats, declutter anything you haven't used in the last two years, or items you used this year that made your life harder. Be it a serving tray that was too big and clumsy for your table, or placemats that were difficult to clean.
This will make your next Thanksgiving and Christmas prep easier for you and your guests.
Storing decor by holiday in clear bins allows you to see exactly what you have and where it is so you are not left digging through piles each season
Keeping holiday serving dishes stacked horizontally prevents them from getting damaged in storage between holiday uses
Keep your holiday linens in vacuum bags to limit their footprint in your home when you are not hosting. Wash them before storage to keep the items fresh in between uses
7. Refresh and restock
Whether you have guests stay the night or not, it is a good idea to refresh your towels and restock key essentials such as toiletries after guests have been over to stay. This is a good finishing touch to restoring order in your home. and start preparing guest rooms for Christmas.
Wash towels to make them soft again, skip the fabric softener, and use white vinegar in laundry to remove stubborn odors and product build-up.
When restocking essentials remember to check your back stock areas for spare supplies before buying more. You might find you have some extra toothpaste hidden at the back of a drawer that you had forgotten about, for example. This is a great way to embrace the under-consumption trend during a period of excess, reducing waste and helping you save money at home.
8. Air out your home
While we don't often think of opening windows when the weather is cold, it is vital that you open windows in winter to air out your home and improve indoor air quality, especially after hosting large gatherings or cooking big meals says Josh Mitchell, HVAC technician and the owner of Air Conditioner Lab.
He adds, 'After hosting a big event, it's also crucial to check and replace the air filters in your HVAC system. The increased indoor activity, cooking, and number of guests can lead to more dust and particles in the air, which can clog filters.'
If it is simply too cold to open windows often in your home in winter, an air purifier is your next best bet for keeping your air clean and your home fresh
Breaking down your post-Thanksgiving cleaning into these target areas and spreading the work out over a few days is a great way to conquer cleaning when feeling overwhelmed.
If you still find it difficult to get started, consider employing yourself to clean after the big day to give yourself a reward for your hard work and motivate yourself to restore calm to your home.
