For many of us, our homes have not only become a place to hang our hats but also our offices, classrooms, yoga studios, playgrounds, and so much more. A multi-tasking house means more messes and more clutter, so the idea of cleaning up for the holidays can seem like an overwhelming task. We get it! But with some help from our handy checklist, you can get your home organized, spotless, and ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in no time!

Clear the Clutter

It’s no fun living among the clutter. It can be distracting and make it difficult to find the things you need. If you’ve forgotten what your counters look like and it takes more than a minute or two to track down your keys, it’s time to get organized and find homes for everything! Purses, devices, watches, mail — these items occupy precious counter space and clutter a room even in the most well-organized home. Designate a drop zone so they have a place to go when you walk in the door. Tame the paper tiger and have a system in place for incoming and outgoing mail, kids’ schoolwork, and bills. Get started by moving the kids’ toys to the playroom or their bedrooms, or stow them away in decorative baskets that complement your decor. Now take a deep breath and admire your home’s open sightlines and clear surfaces. We bet you’re feeling better already!

Getting the Whole House Ready for Its Closeup!

Now that surfaces are clear and everything is in its proper place, it’s time to give the home a good clean. 

Every surface should be dusted and disinfected and every picture frame and knick-knack cleaned. Vacuum carpets, mop floors, wipe down baseboards, and clean windows and coverings. In bathrooms, scour the tub, shower, and toilet, disinfecting and cleaning all of the surfaces, cabinets, and mirrors. If you enjoyed an extra shot of espresso in your latte and are feeling energetic, clear out, and clean your cabinets too. Organize items by activity and purpose, and use pop up racks to maximize space and keep things accessible and easy to find. It’s also a good opportunity to bring out your holiday serving ware and take inventory so you have time to replace any chipped or broken pieces before guests arrive. 

House cleaning should be a family affair, so don’t forget to delegate: corral the kids and make them responsible for their own rooms and bathroom so they stay on Santa’s nice list! 

Focus on the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home and sees a lot of foot traffic. It’s also where the holiday meal magic happens, so it needs some extra TLC to get it shiny, bright, and ready for all your favorite seasonal recipes. Let’s grab those gloves and give the kitchen a good scrub! Wipe down everything, including counters, cabinet faces, drawer pulls, backsplash, and walls. Throw open the windows and set your oven to self-clean, and scrub the racks, cooktop, and grates. Clean sink, dishwasher, and small appliances, and replace larger appliance filters as needed. If the coffee maker’s overdue for a cleaning, descale by running equal parts vinegar and water, turn off halfway through the brew cycle and let sit an hour, then brew one or two full pots of water through to rinse. Now’s also a great time to sharpen your kitchen knives so they’re ready to prep your holiday eats and treats!

Free the Fridge

Make room for the delicious dishes of Thanksgiving and Christmas, and more importantly the scrumptious leftovers! Compost or toss old produce, and take a few minutes and throw away any expired items. 

If you are still feeling the cleaning bug, go ahead and pull everything out, clean the drawers and shelves, and wipe down the doors with a mixture of 1 part baking soda and 7 parts water. Working from the top shelf to the bottom drawers, wipe this mixture all over. Be sure to follow behind by wiping everything dry with a clean towel. When putting everything back, keep things organized to ensure easier upkeep. You don’t want your hard work to go to waste!  

Prep the Pantry

Photo Credit:I Heart Naptime

Don’t forget the pantry! Start by cleaning it up. Remove food from shelves, vacuum crumbs and dry food spills, and wipe down with a damp cloth. Take inventory of everything you have, and throw away items past their prime. Keep a pad of paper and pen nearby and jot down any foods that need to be replenished. When putting everything back, group similar items together so they’re easier to find and grab, and if you have multiples of the same thing, place older items in front so they’re used first. 

This is also a great time to start working on that holiday menu and your shopping list! Take note of those holiday staples that are stocked in your pantry and make sure to cross those off the list as you plan your holiday shopping extravaganza. 

Get Ready for Guests

One of the best things about the holidays is spending time with the people we love the most. We know this year's holidays will look different for everyone. If you are welcoming guests into your home, ensuring it is clean has never been more important! Take some time to make everyone feel safe and at ease at their home away from home. 

A Place to Lay Their Heads

Pay special attention to decluttering and cleaning the guest room or where your guests will be sleeping, as well as the bathroom they will use during their stay. If your guest room does double duty as a home office or other purpose, take care to store and stow items out of sight. Make sure to pay special attention to these areas, disinfecting surfaces and giving all of the bedding a fresh wash and fluff.

Place plenty of clean bed linens, including sheets, blankets, and pillows in the guest room so they can easily grab an extra pillow or blanket if needed. Keep some extra toothbrushes, razors, nail files, and other personal hygiene items on hand in case anyone forgets to bring something.

Make it Fun for Everyone!

Even if you’re only hosting for the day and not overnight guests, be sure to give family and friends things to do. Have some board games in a designated kids’ play area for cousins and friends to enjoy. If the weather cooperates, take it outside for lawn games or tuck in by the fire pit with your favorite hot drink. 

Whew, you made it! If everyone chips in and helps out, your home will be picked up, clean, and back to beautiful well before your first guests come knocking. Now it’s time to decorate! Be sure to check out our Tablescapes to be Thankful For Pinterest board for some great ideas! 

What are your plans for the holidays this year? Let us know how you’re getting ready for the season!