Every year, you plan to be the best holiday host in the country. You may even want to be the best host in the world but let us stay modest. You strengthen your resolve and make plans early for your holiday-ready home. However, those months of quiet planning seem to fizzle out every year because the responsibilities of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year come hitting you simultaneously.

Getting your home ready for holiday guests can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have been planning, this article will help you better cross your “t’s” and dot your “i’s.” And if you haven’t been prepping for hosting this holiday season, this checklist is the only thing you need to get your home spic and span without missing a spot. Let us dive right in!

Ten best ways to get your home holiday-ready and impress your guests

• Start early
• Declutter
• Deep clean rooms
• Prepare the guest rooms
• Check your utilities
• Stock up on supplies
• Put up decorations
• Scent up
• Deep clean your kitchen
• Clean and sanitize bathrooms

1. Start early

Your idea of “early” probably varies from ours, but it’s safe to say that you should start making your hosting plans by the beginning of November. After storing your Halloween decorations, let’s start thinking about the Big 3 (no one calls them that, by the way). You will want to begin by drawing up a simple plan of how many guests you expect and setting up a timeline for cleaning, cooking, and decorating. Knowing how many hands you wish to join your prepping ranks, including your children, spouse, or even help from outside sources, can be helpful. You can use a calendar app or a journal to plan.

Preparing in advance will keep you from scrambling at the last minute. Starting now will take the pressure of a rush from your shoulders and allow you to ease into the holidays stress-free.

2. Declutter

One of the best ways to be holiday-ready is to let go of all those items you have not used in so long and have no intention to use. You should take time to sort them and then keep, sell or make at least one person happy this holiday by donating them. There are a lot of donation centers in Atlanta, and you can also ask the Clean Tu Casa team if you need help choosing a goodwill center to donate to. 

Once the decluttering is out of the way, you will realize there is more space for decorations and guests’ items. It is also easier to clean and organize more effectively. While decluttering, organize your things systematically and give them designated spots, so they don’t create a mess.

3. Deep clean

It is now time to do some deep cleaning because holiday cleaning should always be in-depth. Deep cleaning at the season's beginning makes subsequent ones pretty effortless and routine. This particular clean has to be thorough and systematic. 

It is best to vacuum in a zig-zag pattern, wipe down surfaces, and clean nooks behind and under some of the heavy machinery like refrigerators, bed frames, dishwashers, and washing machines. 

4. Prepare the guest rooms

No, do not hyperventilate. It is easier than you think to get the guest rooms ready. Here are a few tips:

• Do both surface-level and deep cleaning.
• Provide essentials like toothpaste, lotion, mouthwash, and towels.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the showers and toilets.
• Dust and spot-clean the windows and curtains.
• Use scents in the rooms.

5. Check your utilities

You must address some essentials this holiday season, which are better fixed earlier than later. These are air conditioning, heating, and water pressure. Getting professionals to check and put these in perfect condition would save you time and stress. But if you want to get it done yourself, here’s how:

• Air conditioning: You should thoroughly clean the AC registers, vents, and fan blades. This will remove all the dust, dirt, and allergens they must have collected over the warmer seasons.
• Heating: Early assessment and cleaning of the furnace would yield the best results. You should also confirm that other heating systems are in their best condition heading into the season.
• Water pressure: You should get pressure gauges and working water heaters. The best pressure for household plumbing should be between 40 and 60 psi.

6. Stock up on supplies

This one should go without saying, but we will say it regardless. It is necessary to make a comprehensive list of essentials you will need during the holiday season, including foodstuff, toiletries, decoration materials, scents, gifts, and others. This will save you from repeated shopping trips, using time and energy better spent entertaining your guests and getting well-deserved rest. This preemptive shopping will also help you beat the long mall queues that are bound to come this holiday season.

7. Put up decorations

Decorating will always be the activity that takes the fun crown. You can use it as a rewarding activity after all the holiday cleaning and shopping.

Here’s a suggestion you might want to try. Start simple with subtle decorations, like a simple wreath or some centerpieces on the table. Then gradually build the crescendo until you bring it all out on Christmas Eve. It will make you maintain an air of mystery while keeping the holiday mood alive and well.

8. Scent up

Good scents significantly affect mood and stress levels, primarily inducing happiness and relaxation. This is what the holiday season is about - happiness and relaxation.

You can use scented candles, cinnamon sticks, or even orange slices on the stove. They will significantly improve the mood and set the scene for all the holidaying there can be. Fresh cookies and chocolates are also a great way to give your home that good ol’ holiday smell. 

9. Deep clean the kitchen

Food is one of the most critical determinants of memorable holidays. That is probably why the kitchen gets the most traffic, so your holiday cleaning process must prioritize the kitchen. You can do this yourself, or you can outsource. Whatever the case, the kitchen must be ready to work overtime to cater to your holiday guests.

Here are some tips you should consider;

• Dust the lighting and clean the windows.
• Thoroughly clean and polish the stove, oven, and microwave.
• Remove old or expired food from the refrigerator, disinfect it and then thoroughly clean it.
• Empty and wash the ice maker and water dispenser.
• Throw out expired food from the pantry and tidy up the good stuff.
• Dust the cupboards and wipe down exterior surfaces.
• Scrub and polish the floors.

10. Clean and sanitize the bathrooms

Start by dusting the flat surfaces, then clean the mirrors and glass. Move on to scrubbing the sinks and polishing the plumbing. Next, scrub the shower and bathtub. Then, disinfect the toilet and the walls behind it before cleaning it thoroughly. 

Ensure there is enough bathroom tissue, soap, and disposable hand towels. Finally, clean the bathroom floors after disinfection. 

Summary

This comprehensive checklist will prepare your home for whatever the season brings. If you need help taking on the deep cleaning or any other forms of house cleaning and organization during the coming holidays, then you have ready help in Clean Tu Casa. You can trust us to deliver customized and timely service before and after the holiday celebrations.