It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of the holidays. Your calendar fills up with parties, presents, and cookie exchanges. The last thing you want to think about is cleaning. But leaving your home a mess for your guests will only make your holiday more enjoyable. When houseguests come, you want them to feel at home, not on a treasure hunt for a clean bathroom or bed. Here are a few tips:
1. Get a head start. There’s no rule that says the holidays can’t start before Thanksgiving. Make some room on your agenda for chores before you host your in-laws.
2. Clean as you go. Instead of sweeping up the kitchen after dinner, move the dishes to the sink, wipe up any spills, and dust. Then everyone’s can relax and enjoy themselves.
3. Don’t neglect the bathrooms: While your guests are showering, why not wipe down the tub and toilet, and wash the shower curtain? Then it’ll be all sparkly and clean when they come out.
4. Give the house a face-lift. You can’t expect your guests to respect your space if you don’t respect it yourself. Put away stray toys and stray clothes.
5. Don’t pack away the holiday decorations too early. Use them to decorate your house for the holidays.
6. Plan ahead. If you’re hosting a large family, consider setting up a schedule for cleaning chores. That way, everyone knows what they’re expected to do.
7. Cleanliness is next to godliness. No matter how much work there is to do, if you make a little room on your calendar to dust, wipe down the windows, and clean the baseboards, your home will feel so much better.
8. Get organized. Keep a calendar of what’s coming up. Then make lists: what needs to be done, what needs to be bought, and what can be taken care of later, whether it’s cleaning the refrigerator or getting ahead on gift wrapping.
