Last Minute Holiday Cleaning Checklist

If you are hosting for the holidays, these last-minute cleaning items will make your life easier.

We know the holidays are stressful, and cleaning is just one more chore on the never-ending list of things to do. Life Maid Easy put together a 48-hour cleaning plan if you are in a rush to get your home cleaned before guests arrive.

1. Start by taking inventory of your home. What areas of the house will be most on display when your guests arrive? Are you having guests sleep over? Do they have clean quarters and a clean bathroom?
2. Write a list of rooms that you need to tackle.
3. Prioritize your list from the most important to the least important.
4. Set a schedule for the amount of time you want to spend per room.
5. Remember, first tidy up items that are out of place and then focus on washing, wiping, and cleaning. Since we have 48 hours to complete this project, focus on the big wins, which may vary by home.
6. If you are having overnight guests, start by ensuring that they have the amenities that they need to feel comfortable in your home.
7. Ensure they have a clean space, a dusted and vacuumed bedroom, and a bathroom that has been cleaned. Remove any hair, soap scum, dust, and grime from the bathroom before their arrival.
8. Make sure the bed has a clean set of sheets and leave out clean towels for each guest. A nice touch is to leave extra face towels and wash cloths in the bathrooms, and a winter candle to help them relax in your home.
9. For the remainder of the home, tidying up helps set the house up for a fast and efficient cleaning. Do not waste time on organizing drawers, closets, etc. Just put things away and if you have to make a pile of items to get back to after you are done hosting, then be it. This is not the time for sorting the fine details, and it will delay the rest of your holiday preparation.
10. Do a quick wiping of the dust and sticky surfaces in each room that guests will visit.
11. Vacuum and mop floors to give them a fresh feeling.
12. Leave the kitchen for last, as you may have food preparation work to complete. Food preparation will create another mess to deal with. We recommend putting away as much as you can to leave the kitchen surfaces accessible. It is easier to wipe the counters once they have been cleared quickly.
13. Do you still have time? If you still have time before guests arrive, do a quick vacuum and mop your kitchen floors. Remove all trash from all of the trash bins in your home and do a quick check to ensure all other rooms are presentable.
14. Take a deep breath, smile, and focus on enjoying time with your loved ones. If things are not perfect, that is ok. Perfection is being in the moment and truly connecting with the people who matter most to you.

If cleaning gets to be overwhelming, contact Life Maid Easy to save the day. We understand that, with all the things that happen in our busy lives, sometimes the best call is to outsource the job to a professional.

Life Maid Easy services homes in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia, and we do so with love, care, and attention to detail. We'll be able to provide you with a free quote based on your home's needs.