Tag Archive for: christmas tips

How To Remove Lingering Food Smells at Christmas

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Say goodbye to lingering food smells this Christmas! In this blog post, discover expert tips to refresh your home and tackle stubborn kitchen odours, keeping it clean and inviting all season long.

1. Simmer a Festive Fragrance

Create a warm and inviting scent in your home by simmering a pot of water with festive ingredients.

Add a mix of cinnamon sticks, orange peel, cloves, and a splash of vanilla extract to a saucepan of water, and let it gently simmer on the hob. The heat will release a warm, spicy aroma that will overpower any lingering food smells.

Alternatively, make some mulled wine, enjoy a drink, and let this festive smell fill your home.

2. Use Natural Odour Absorbers

Baking soda is a fantastic, natural odour neutraliser.

Simply place a small bowl of baking soda near the source of the smell, such as the kitchen or dining area, and let it absorb the odours. Similarly, use white vinegar – its natural acidity helps neutralise strong smells. Place a bowl of vinegar on the counter overnight, and you’ll wake up to a fresher-smelling home.

3. Light Candles or Use Diffusers

Scented candles or essential oil diffusers can help mask unwanted food smells with more pleasant fragrances and make your home smell all Christmassy!

If using a diffuser, consider adding essential oils like eucalyptus, lemon, or peppermint to cleanse the air naturally.

4. Clean as You Cook

One of the best ways to minimise odours is to tackle them at the source. Clean your pots, pans, and cooking utensils as soon as possible after use.

Wipe down surfaces, focusing on any splashes or spills that could contribute to lingering smells.

5. Deodorise Your Bin

Bins can quickly become the source of unpleasant smells, especially after a big Christmas dinner.

Make sure to empty the bin regularly during the festive period. You can also sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of the bin, purchase ‘Bin Buddy’ powder, or use bin liners with built-in odour control for extra freshness.

6. Call in a Professional Upholstery Cleaner

Soft furnishings, such as curtains, cushions, and upholstery, can trap cooking smells over time.

You can call ServiceMaster Clean and speak to their cleaning experts on 0800 021 3073, or find your local ServiceMaster Clean here.

7. Clean Your Oven and Extractor Fan

Cooking residues in your oven or grease build-up in your extractor fan can contribute to persistent food smells.

Give your oven a good clean using a natural mixture of baking soda and vinegar, and check your extractor fan filters as these might need washing or replacing.

8. Boil Lemon Water

Lemons are a natural deodoriser and can cut through food smells.

Slice a couple of lemons and place them in a saucepan of water. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.

The citrusy steam will help neutralise food smells and leave your home smelling clean and lemony fresh.

9. Use Fresh Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds are also excellent for absorbing odours.

Place a small bowl of used coffee grounds in areas prone to strong food smells, such as near the kitchen sink or on the dining table, to help neutralise the air.

 

Don’t let lingering food odours dampen your Christmas spirit. With these simple tips, you can maintain a fresh and cosy atmosphere in your home, ready to welcome friends and family with festive cheer. For expert help in keeping your home pristine, get in touch with Merry Maids today

You can give us a call and speak to our cleaning experts on 0800 021 3072, or find your local Merry Maids UK here.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Christmas Cleaning

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Merry Maids’ top tips for premium Christmas cleaning. 

With so much to think about, cleaning at Christmas can become overwhelming quite quickly.

At Merry Maids, we know cleaning, it’s what we do.

That’s why we’ve put together our list of Dos and Don’ts for cleaning ahead of this festive season.

The Do’s

Plan Ahead

Having a plan of action can make all the difference in your Christmas cleaning routine, including taking the stress out of the process, because you’re not rushing around at the last minute.

Focus on Organisation

Before you can concentrate on your Christmas cleaning, you’ll need to make sure your home is organised. This includes removing any clutter in the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and other storage areas.

A lot of great home organisation solutions can be found online, too, for an extra helping hand.

Once the organisation is sorted, you can get going with your cleaning checklist accordingly.

Remember, decluttering your home will make your space feel airier and cleaning a lot easier.

Start Simple

With Christmas cleaning, you want to keep it as simple as possible. Start with the simple tasks first and work your way up to the more complicated and involved cleaning. For instance, begin with the bathroom, although it’s one of the dirtiest places in your home, it’s also one of the most straightforward.

First, clean the bathtub, toilet and sink(s). Then, you can move on to cleaning the surfaces like mirrors, cabinets and the floor. Last but not least, remove bathmats and shower curtains to throw in the washing machine.

Dust First, Vacuum Last

Have you ever vacuumed first and then gone on to dusting? Well, you’re doing it wrong! Vacuuming should be one of the last things you do, as it wouldn’t make much sense to then wipe the dust on your nice clean flooring.

The Don’ts

Don’t Rush Cleaning

We know that cleaning isn’t really anyone’s favourite thing to do, but it’s worth taking your time, as you might:

  • Miss areas and leave dirt and germs
  • Create more work for yourself
  • Use the wrong products and damage surfaces
  • Complete cleaning last minute

So, plan ahead, or turn to a professional cleaning team like your nearest Merry Maids business to support you.

Don’t Clean Alone

As the saying goes: “Teamwork makes the dream work!”

We suggest recruiting the whole family to help. Not only will you get the job done faster, but you and your family will also have a greater sense of pride, knowing you worked as a team to clean your home ready for Christmas.

Don’t Ignore Hidden Areas

Look at tackling your cupboards and cabinets as well, as these usually get missed and may be dirtier than you think.

Don’t Neglect Appliances

With constant use comes wear and tear, meaning your kitchen and washing appliances need TLC every so often.

Don’t avoid cleaning the inside and outside of your fridge, oven, stove, microwave, washing machine, etc. When the Christmas holidays arrive, you’ll be thankful you took care of these major appliances before your guests arrive.

Need Help with Your Christmas Cleaning?

With under a month to go until the Christmas holidays start, you may be thinking you just haven’t got time to fit all of this cleaning in.

That’s where Merry Maids come in!

To find out more about how we can help, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a cleaning online or give us a call today on 0800 021 3072.