Schedule a Deep Clean Before the Holiday Rush
As the crisp autumn winds begin to blow and the nights grow longer, many of us find ourselves eagerly anticipating the arrival of the winter holiday season. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering with close friends and family or a grand celebration with all the trimmings, one thing is certain: your home is about to see an influx of foot traffic and activity unlike any other time of the year.
That’s why it’s crucial to take the time now to schedule a thorough deep cleaning for your home before the holiday rush begins. By getting ahead of the curve and ensuring your living spaces are sparkling clean, you can create a warm, welcoming environment for all your guests – and enjoy the festivities yourself without the stress of last-minute scrambling.
Flagstaff Cleaning, a renowned cleaning service in Aberdeen, UK, has shared some invaluable insights on how to prep your home for the holidays. “The winter holidays are a ‘high traffic time of the year,’” explains Michael Silva-Nash, the company’s vice president of operations. “This means a lot can happen at once during the holiday season, and you might not have much time to clean.”
Indeed, the combination of extra guests, muddy boots, festive décor, and indulgent holiday meals can wreak havoc on even the tidiest of homes. That’s why it’s essential to tackle a deep clean now, before the chaos of the season sets in.
Getting Ahead of the Dust
One of the first things to tackle is the ever-present challenge of dust accumulation, which can quickly make your holiday decorations and displays look dingy and neglected.
“Dust can collect indoors in the winter,” says Silva-Nash. “Here’s how to minimize it.” He recommends running a used dryer sheet over your baseboards, woodwork, and even ornaments before you start decorating. “It adds a slight static charge, helping those surfaces repel dust so you’ll need to dust less often during the holiday season.”
This clever trick can save you a significant amount of time and effort down the line, as you won’t have to constantly be dusting and re-dusting your holiday décor. And when it comes to your regular household surfaces, Silva-Nash advises using a lint roller to quickly pick up dust and debris on furniture, lampshades, and other fabrics.
“I love a good vacuum, but whatever air is coming in has to go out somewhere,” he explains. “And depending on the quality of your vacuum or how full it is, you may be making a larger mess because you’re cycling air in the home.” Emptying your vacuum’s canister outside, rather than into an indoor trash can, can help minimize the amount of dust particles redistributed into the air.
Tackling High-Traffic Areas
Another key focus for your deep clean should be the high-traffic areas of your home – namely, the entryway and mudroom. “This busy area can quickly turn messy with all the mud and slush that comes indoors during the winter,” Silva-Nash warns.
To stay ahead of the mess, he recommends finding an inexpensive rug to cover your entryway floor for the holiday season. “This limits the area that will require cleanup later.” Additionally, creating a designated spot for guests to hang their coats, whether it’s hooks on the wall or a portable coat rack, can go a long way in containing the clutter.
When it comes to your bathrooms, Silva-Nash suggests making this a regular part of your routine. “You may want to: Dust can collect indoors in the winter. Here’s how to minimize it.”
Maintaining Air Quality
While ensuring your home is visually clean and tidy is essential, it’s also crucial to pay attention to air quality, especially during the winter months when windows are closed and airflow is reduced.
“I love a good vacuum, but whatever air is coming in has to go out somewhere,” Silva-Nash explains. “And depending on the quality of your vacuum or how full it is, you may be making a larger mess because you’re cycling air in the home.” To combat this, he suggests using a lint roller to quickly clean dust and debris from surfaces like lampshades and furniture.
Ceiling fans are another often-overlooked culprit when it comes to indoor air quality. “Ceiling fans collect dust over the year,” Silva-Nash says. “To clean yours, make sure the fan is turned off. Take a pillowcase and gently pull it over each fan blade to collect the dust. Then, wipe the blades clean with a wet rag. You can dump the dust out of the pillowcase outdoors, then launder it.”
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
While a deep clean is essential for ensuring your home is in tip-top shape, it’s also important to consider the overall ambiance and sensory experience you want to create for your guests.
“People always remember scent,” Silva-Nash says. “At Molly Maid, if we clean a house, but it doesn’t smell good … it doesn’t matter how clean the house is, the homeowner’s going to walk in and be like, ‘Oh my gosh…’” To combat this, he recommends using an essential oil diffuser, scented candles, or even a room spray to establish a pleasant aroma throughout your home.
And if disaster strikes during the festivities, such as a red wine spill on the carpet, Silva-Nash has a clever trick up his sleeve. “If a substance like red wine spills on the carpet, Silva-Nash recommends sprinkling salt on the spill. This helps prevent the carpet’s fibers from absorbing the stain. Then, go back to the party. Later, you can blot it out (never rub it in) and use the proper carpet cleaning products you know will work on your carpet without damaging it.”
Streamlining the Cleanup
To make the post-party cleanup process as seamless as possible, Silva-Nash offers a few more tips. First, he suggests lining the bottom of your trash bin with newspaper before the event to catch any spills or drips. “It helps prevent odors and sticky messes,” he explains.
He also recommends using a plain cling film to line your refrigerator shelves. “Before a party, lay a clingy, disposable food film on the shelves of your fridge. You won’t need to worry if there’s a spill while you’re pulling things in and out during the party. After the party, you can remove the film and toss it in the trash instead of having to do a deep clean.”
And for those inevitable moments when glass breaks, Silva-Nash shares a clever party trick: “Dab a slice of bread over shards of broken glass to capture them. It’ll save you from picking them up by hand or potentially damaging your vacuum cleaner.”
Prioritizing High-Touch Points
As the final step in your pre-holiday deep clean, Silva-Nash recommends disinfecting the high-touch points in your home, including doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and faucets. “And make sure you carefully read the instructions on each cleaning product,” he advises. “For example, some disinfecting wipes only disinfect thoroughly if the surface remains wet for several minutes.”
By taking the time to tackle a thorough deep clean before the holiday season kicks into high gear, you can ensure your home is not only spotless but also welcoming, cozy, and ready to host all your festive gatherings. And with these expert tips from Flagstaff Cleaning, you can breeze through the preparations with confidence, leaving you free to truly savor the magic of the holidays.
So why not schedule your deep clean today and give yourself the gift of a stress-free, holiday-ready home? Your future self (and your guests!) will thank you.
