The holiday season is fast approaching. It’s a fun-filled time when family and friends gather around the dining room to share a meal or bake gingerbread houses in the kitchen. However, it can also be a hectic time, full of hosting and houseguests. Is your home ready for the festivities? We’ve compiled some useful tips to make cleaning your home stress-free so you can relax and celebrate the season.
Why Cleaning in Winter is Important
We often associate deep cleaning with springtime, but keeping a tidy home year-round is important for the mental and physical health of your family, and any guest that comes to visit.
Prevent the Spread of Germs
Nobody wants to get sick, especially during the holidays. With an increase in respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 during colder months, it’s important to prioritize the cleaning AND sanitizing of all the shared surfaces in your home. Although many viruses spread via air droplets, they can still easily land on kitchen counters or doors handles. Beyond the normal precautions of washing your hands and covering your cough, make sure to use household cleaners that contain soap or detergent to kill germs before they ruin your or your guests’ plans.
Declutter to Boost Your Mood
Spending so much time around other people during the holidays can be exhilarating, but it can also lead to exhaustion. Keeping your home clutter-free is key to creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere. It’s also a great way to spread holiday cheer. Consider donating or gifting items to local nonprofits or resale stores that you and your family no longer need. Try a declutter checklist or challenge to make it more manageable to get done before guests arrive!
Impress Your Guests
You want your guests to feel welcome and comfortable in your home. Impress them with these cleaning tips that are sometimes overlooked.
Deep Clean the Kitchen/Bathrooms
Floors, backsplashes, counters, showers, and other hard surfaces all should be wiped down regularly to avoid an accumulation of dirt and grime. It’s good to get into the habit of cleaning up even tiny spills right away to avoid long-term damage and keep your home looking new. However, grime and dirt buildup happens—especially when it comes to tile and grout.
For a DIY Cleaning Solution:
- Use a cloth or an old toothbrush
- Add mild cleaner, or baking soda and warm water, to gently scrub
- Give it one last mop or wipe down with a cleaner of your choice to remove any remaining residue.
On a time crunch before guests arrive? Leave it to the professionals at ServiceMaster By Rice to get your tiles looking brand new.
Say Goodbye to Unpleasant Odors
Sugar, spice, and something…not smelling nice? Off-putting smells are no way to greet your guests but can be frustrating to get rid of.
Rotten Food Smell?
Particles of old food have a way of building up in strange places throughout your kitchen.
- Disinfect your garbage and recycling bins by wiping them down or hosing them down outside. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom or use a dryer sheet to help neutralize the smell.
- Bits and pieces of food can also get trapped in your dishwasher. This old food and damp environment sometimes create conditions for mold to grow. Run your dishwasher with vinegar once a month to stop any unwanted build-up. If it still persists, try a DIY simmer pot on your stove to naturally infuse your space with the scents of the season.
Damp or Musty Smell?
Odors described as musty or old could be a sign of mold growing in your home. Because mold likes humid and dark areas, it’s important to check your home both inside and out for signs of water damage or growth.
- Inspect outside or near ceilings and walls for signs of leaky pipes or roof damage from snow or ice
- Ensure high-humidity areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, or windows have proper ventilation
- Consider buying a dehumidifier to reduce the chances of mold growing and spreading
Having trouble finding the source of the lingering smell and worried it may be harmful? Our odor removal specialists can remove the source of the problem.
Refresh the Carpets & Upholstery
From opening presents on the floor to watching movies on the couch—having a clean carpet and furniture is key to a cozy holiday home. Hair from furry friends, winter boot and shoe build-up, and overall high foot traffic can drag in dirt and dust that’s damaging to carpets, rugs, and furniture. Regularly cleaning your carpet can also lead to better air quality in your home!
- Avoid guests tracking in dirt by adding rugs to entryways or trays to keep shoes contained
- Spot-clean food, wine, or other stains as soon as they happen to avoid discoloration
- Vacuum carpets once a week to stop the build-up of pet hair or dirt from accumulating
- Deep clean the material yourself, with a vinegar and water solution or mild detergent, doing a 3×3 size area at a time. Let it air dry to ensure proper ventilation with a fan or open window before blotting with water and vacuuming over it again.
Although it can be time-consuming, paying special attention to your carpet and upholstery before the holidays is sure to wow your guests. Save time and money in the long run by consulting a professional carpet cleaner to do the job right the first time.
Call in the Experts
With shopping for presents and planning this year’s menu, we understand that deep cleaning your home may get pushed to the back burner. Let us help relieve some of the holiday stress. Contact our cleaning and restoration experts at ServiceMaster by Rice today.
