The holidays are a time for fun, family, and celebrations. If anything more bittersweet than the holiday season is coming to a close, it’s the challenging responsibility of post-holiday cleanup. Whether you celebrate in your home or somewhere else, the clean-up after the holidays will always be the most challenging and important one of the year. It sets the tone for the coming year and effectively resets everything back to tip-top shape in your home.
If you’re at a loss with where to start, why don’t you begin with the essentials? Of course, it’s best if you do a general cleaning of your whole space, but if that’s too overwhelming, start with the most important things.
Here are the top things or places you should clean after the holidays:
Fridge and Freezer
Kick off your clean-up with the fridge and freezer. After the holidays and cooking, you wouldn’t want food to start going wrong and contaminating anything stored inside the freezer. Get rid of those leftovers and food items and clean everything thoroughly.
If you have opened up bottles of sauces, syrups, wine, or beer during the holidays, make sure you clean everything properly, especially the tops and caps, to prevent any surprises later on.
Oven and Stove
Now that you’ve cleaned your fridge and freezer, it’s time to focus on the main kitchen appliances. Make sure to empty the crumbs from the toaster, stove, and oven.
If there are some spills or stains on any appliances, you can use some baking soda and a damp cloth to wipe those away. Do not forget about those difficult-to-reach crevices and shelving spaces.
Sheets and Linens
If you’ve taken a vacation or hosted a guest during the holidays, it’s essential to clean the sheets so you can use the same bedding and linens the following year. Get rid of all the pillowcases, bedding, and bed skirts. Make sure to wash everything thoroughly and adequately.
Carpets
Now is the time to give the carpets a good clean! If you have pets, no need to worry. Add some oxygen-based stain remover and stain spray on the carpets and let them sit overnight. It’s a great way to get rid of dirt and stains.
If you have kids and have been running around the house all day, you can use a stain remover to get rid of those sticky, dirty messes.
Hard Surface Floor
Since the carpets are already taken care of, you might as well move on to the hard surfaces of your home. Just use a damp cloth to wipe down all your wooden floors, tiles, and cabinets. Some people may use a steam cooker to clean their tiles, but I usually just use a tile cleaner and some vinegar to eliminate any stubborn stains.
Bathrooms
The bathroom must be cleaned thoroughly after the holidays. Especially if you have kids, you have to make sure they are completely clean. If you have a guest room, this is an excellent time to give it a thorough cleaning and disinfecting.
Clean the mirror, cabinets, and bathroom accessories. Make sure to clean all the toothbrushes and make-up brushes. If you have a bathtub, take a few hours to scrub it down and make sure it’s spotless and germ-free.
The Bottom Line
The holidays are a wonderful time. But it does come with a lot of work and a huge mess to clean up when it’s done. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, don’t forget to take a break and take a deep breath. You don’t have to do everything all at once. Start with a few essential things and build yourself up to tackle the rest of the mess.
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