I've teamed up with Clean Ones for this post.
The holidays just aren't the same if they don't involve getting together with the family! I wouldn't have it any other way, but I still have minor panic attacks a few weeks beforehand when I think about the work that needs to be done before everyone gets here. I worry that my cleanliness standards are on display and that I will have neglected something important in my hustle and bustle to make the place look festive and tidy. I've put together a checklist of the top 10 things to clean before your family arrives so that both you and I can focus on the most noticeable things and places! Prioritizing is key when you've got a hundred things on your holiday plate, so focus on these first and you'll be in good shape!
1. The Porch
Start where your guests show up: on your doorstep. First impressions are everything. If you're having family over to your brand new house, or you're meeting your brother's girlfriend for the first time, or you've done some remodeling, you have the opportunity to create a great first impression. Have the porch and the sidewalks swept of leaves and the snow shoveled, and be very wary of ice. Give your entire front door a good scrub and shine your doorknob or other hardware. If the weather isn't below freezing and the time allows for it, consider using a power washer to get rid of dirt buildup.
2. The Floors
The next thing your guests might notice is the floor as they take off their shoes at the front door. Start with the entryway, but have your entire floor swept and mopped or vacuumed if you have carpet. Consider renting a carpet cleaner a few days beforehand. If you're planning on having any little babies or small children over, vacuum up any pine needles that could have fallen beneath your tree.
3. The Upholstery
Once everyone is inside, don't you all congregate on or near the couches and chairs? You don't want crunchy cereal pieces, dog hair, or funky smells to make your guests feel uncomfortable. Remove all the cushions and with your upholstery attachment, vacuum into the creases of your armchairs and couches. Wash any removable and machine washable pillow covers and give everything a healthy spritz of an odor eliminating spray.
4. The Dining Room Table
Family + Christmas = there is definitely going to be food! Your home may be immaculate, but if guests have to sit at a sticky table with crumbs on their chair seats, they won't remember how clean everything else was. Maybe this is just a concern of mine at my house because of all the little people that smear jam into inconspicuous places, but I'd suggest sitting for a moment in every seat at the table to see and feel just what kind of sticky mess could be lingering in places you can't see from the head of the table.
5. The Microwave
If no one else is helping with the cooking, you might possibly get away with not cleaning some of your appliances, like the inside of your oven, but more likely than not, the microwave will be used by several of your guests, whether it be for heating up the appetizers they brought, reheating leftovers after the big meal, or even warming up milk for baby bottles. Play it safe and attack this appliance as if everyone coming over is going to take a look inside.
6. The Sink
Put on those rubber gloves and let's get sudsy! You'll want the sink and faucet fixtures to shine for your company, and the disposal to be free of odors and slime. Mild soap and a sponge might do the job for daily cleaning, but for a real clean, you'll want to sanitize and maybe scrub with a toothbrush around the tight spaces. The Clean Ones Everyday Cleaning Natural Latex Gloves are my favorite for this job because they protect my hands from the scorching hot water and they are reusable. There are flexible, tear-resistant, and the cotton flocked lining make them comfortable enough to wear all day. Because the rubber is thin and flexible, these gloves are the best choice for delicate jobs, and even the messiest projects.
7. The Bathrooms
I'm sure you'll remember to make that guest bathroom sparkle, but don't stop there. With a crowd (and especially one with kids), there's bound to be instances when more than one bathroom is needed and you might finding yourself sending guests to other restrooms around the house. Don't be caught embarrassed about the state of the other bathrooms, just clean them all so that no one is waiting outside the door of the only bathroom available. Always wear vinyl gloves to keep your hands away from grime and bacteria. For these kinds of grimy jobs, I much prefer to just toss the gloves when I'm done, so disposables are my choice, and the Clean Ones Disposable Essentials Vinyl Gloves are terrific because they are still form fitting and ideal for light household tasks. They are lightly powdered with 100% USP Cornstarch to allow for easy on-and-off, but this also keeps them food safe if you'd prefer to use these in the kitchen for trimming meat, for example.
8. The Bed Linens
If your guests are staying over, you'll want to have the most inviting beds possible. Sprinkle the mattresses with baking soda and then vacuum to prevent dust mites and unwanted smells. Have plenty of sheets and spares in the closets. To avoid wrinkles in the sheets, take them out of the dryer as soon as the cycle ends and while they're still warm so that they will flatten while they cool. Don't forget to wash the duvet covers just as often as the sheets.
9. The Showers
The same goes for the tubs and showers if your company will be staying the night. I use the Clean Ones Everyday Cleaning Natural Latex Gloves for these kinds of jobs because I usually have chemical cleaners I'm working with. Attack the scum in the bottom of the tub with shower cleaner, or even dish washing liquid, since it can cut the grease like it does on dishes.
10. The TV
This one might be surprising, but think about how much the TV will be on for those football games, the Macy's Day Parade, and those late night holiday movies. Something that everyone will be looking at deserves a decent dusting and some serious clutter control if the TV stand or coffee table is where orphaned objects collect.
For these top 10 things to clean before your family arrives, after they leave, and any other time you are cleaning around your home, Clean Ones vinyl and natural latex gloves are fantastic for keeping your hands clean and protected!
Buy it: You can purchase Clean Ones products at Walmart or online at Amazon.com.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Clean Ones. I (Camille) received these Clean Ones products at no cost to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
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