Essential Cleaning Tips Before Thanksgiving Guests Arrive

Your mother-in-law will arrive shortly and the dining room table is cluttered with craft supplies, Legos and jute string.

Hosting guests isn’t always simple, but it doesn’t need to be stressful either. With an effective cleaning strategy in place, you can avoid post-guest cleanup anxiety and stay organized throughout the event. No matter if you prefer deep cleaning before or after your guests arrive – here are a few tips that’ll help get ready.

1. Vacuum and Dust

Your home may appear clean to you, but an abundance of dust, pet hairs and grimy windows may give uneasy house guests cause for alarm. Before hosting Thanksgiving or any other gatherings at your home, utilize a thorough checklist with plenty of elbow grease for getting it looking its best.

As you vacuum, mop, and sweep the floors, don’t forget to also thoroughly clean baseboards, walls and doors as part of your cleaning regimen. Though we may become used to seeing dirt around us in our homes without even realizing it ourselves, visitors may notice any scuff marks, fingerprints or discoloured woodwork immediately upon entering a room.

Dust the furniture, wipe down all visible surfaces in the living area including ceiling fans, blinds and light fixtures as well as clean any visible ceiling fans, blinds or fixtures that hang from ceiling fans or blinds and light fixtures as part of an overall cleaning effort. In addition, be sure to sanitize and polish all kitchen and bathroom hardware so it looks new and shiny.

If you’re worried about germs in your home, make sure that a thorough deep clean occurs both prior to and following guest arrivals. This will ensure that their stay remains comfortable without risking illness due to guests bringing germy items into the space they occupy.

Kendra Hennessy of Mother Like a Boss blog recommends conducting a comprehensive dusting before guests arrive and restocking bathrooms with soap, tissues and toilet paper. She suggests also clearing off entryways and wiping down door knobs/handles/hardware to eliminate grime build-up – this ensures your guests receive an exceptional first impression and make it easier for them to navigate your space. Reorganize closets/spruce entryways/take care of seasonal decorations so your space looks polished and ready for company.

3. Clean the Guest Bedroom

Your guests’ sleep depends on having an uncluttered guest bedroom that provides them with everything they need – from clean linens and pillows, robes and extra pillows, chargers for their devices, wastebasket and fresh towels close by – don’t forget some personal touches such as fun magazines or fresh flowers for extra flair.

No matter if it’s prior to guests arriving or after they have left, having a repeatable cleaning strategy is key to managing the process without becoming overwhelming. Doing this helps alleviate stress while making sure your home remains welcoming for guests – says Pratt.

After all, you don’t want your guests to notice any dog hair drifting over your baseboards or water spots on the guest bathroom mirror when they arrive at your home. With just a few simple tricks and tips you can give your home that “just hosted” look in no time and welcome family, friends, and loved ones for an enjoyable holiday season together.

4. Clean the Kitchen

As you begin hosting, a few quick actions such as clearing countertops and wiping down appliances can ensure everything remains looking polished, leaving guests free to focus on socializing and enjoying their meal without worry for an untidy kitchen.

After your meal is over, clean-up may take longer, but shouldn’t be an overwhelming task. Yvonne Pratt of StoneGable blog recommends creating an ongoing post-event clean-up strategy so your home remains welcoming to guests.

As she mentioned above, she suggests prioritizing high traffic areas like the kitchen, bathroom and guest bedrooms to collect dust and debris more effectively. Wiping down surfaces such as mirrors, shower doors and sinks with vinegar-water solutions can make an immense difference; she also advises restocking supplies like soap, towels and toilet paper so your guests feel welcome during their stay.

Your decision about when and how often to deep clean will depend on your lifestyle, house size and how long your guests plan to stay. Many find a combination approach beneficial; an intensive clean before guests arrive will leave an impressive first impression, while another smaller clean after they have left will help refresh and reset the space for future guests. No matter which approach is taken; what matters is having a plan in place to keep your home tidy throughout the holiday season.

5. Clean the Dining Area

Before your guests arrive, take some time to spruce up key areas in your house such as entryways, kitchens and bathrooms – this will create an inviting ambience and put your mind at ease as a host.

Bathrooms: For optimal bathroom experience for your guests, always inspect grout and caulking for discoloration, cracks, moisture build-up or other potential causes that could result in water damage. Replace any damaged items immediately as necessary while also thoroughly cleaning all surfaces to provide a safe environment for their visit.

Need more time to focus on holiday preparations? Our cleaning services can tailor their service to meet the needs of any homeowner and will leave your home looking and smelling welcoming, giving your guests the best holiday experience.