Christmas is approaching! So, here’s our pre-Christmas cleaning guide.

Are you planning to host a Christmas party or spend Christmas Day with the entire family? If so, you might want to tidy up before the guests arrive. However, with so much to do, Christmas cleaning can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of useful pre-Christmas cleaning tasks to ensure your home stays in order during this festive season.

Guest Bedroom Pre-Christmas Cleaning

If you have a spare or guest room, the temptation may be to use it for… “storage”.

However, around this time of year, make sure your spare bedroom(s) are cleaned in case of unexpected overnight guests.

Just in case a white Christmas or an extra glass of sherry makes driving home for Christmas inadvisable.

When cleaning your spare bedroom, remember to:

• Change the sheets/bedding & duvets so they are clean and fresh for your guests. A quick tip to make them even fresher smelling is to wash them separately from any clothes
• Vacuum and polish the guest room to ensure the room has a welcoming scent

If your guest room isn’t used that often, it may not be as welcoming as other rooms.

• You can potentially get a few paintings or photos up in the room, maybe a houseplant or anything else you may feel is welcoming

Your guests are likely to be staying more than one night. Therefore, they’ll need space for their clothes and other belongings. So:

• Empty the wardrobe and drawers of all your summer clothes, or the “I’ll take these to a charity shop one day” clothes. This will ensure your guest has sufficient space and will feel more at home instead of living out of their suitcase

Kitchen Pre-Christmas Cleaning

The kitchen is usually the centre of the action at Christmas.

Especially with mulled wine brewing on the stove, it feels warm and festive!

First, your oven should be clean to ensure it’s ready for the juicy turkey or tasty nut roast!

• Buy an oven cleaning product and follow the instructions on the label, as there are lots of different products you can use
• A clean oven will make your food taste better and won’t produce smoke that floats around the house, making it smell unpleasant.

You’ll probably have to put LOADS of food in your fridge and freezer, so it’s time for a clear-out.

A clean, less cluttered fridge will allow space for all the pigs in blankets, wine, and pudding!

• Have a clean fridge for all of your Christmas food
  – Remove all food, drawers and shelves
  – Soak drawers and shelves in washing-up liquid
  – Use warm water and washing-up liquid to wipe the interior
  – Wipe outer surfaces and dry inside with a kitchen roll
  – Dry and return the drawers/shelves
  – Wait until the temperature has returned to 5°C

Bathroom Pre-Christmas Cleaning

Wintertime is when people get horrid colds they can’t shake.

That’s why pre-cleaning the bathroom and maintaining cleanliness throughout your guests’ stay are vital.

• Clean the bathroom from top to bottom, including the bath, shower, sink, toilet, carpet, cupboards and anything else you may have in there.
• Tidy up your bathroom to leave space for your guests’ toiletries, or if you have two washrooms, move all your toiletries to the bathroom your guests won’t be using. This will again make them feel at home.

Living Room Pre-Christmas Cleaning

Your living room is the social and board gaming hub, with the fire roaring in the background and the smell of Christmas all around. Lovely!

• Vacuum your living room carpet before your guests arrive and during their stay, depending on how long they’re there for
• Vacuum all of your upholstery and cushions before guests arrive
• Have a general tidy-up and, if you have time, a bit of a declutter of things you don’t need during the winter period

Home Exterior Pre-Christmas Cleaning

Ensure the outside of your house looks welcoming to your guests and any neighbours who might pop by to wish you a Merry Christmas.

• Clean your outside decorations just by wiping them with a dry cloth
• Clean your windows on the inside and outside
• Ensure that, if you have a drive, you’ve left enough space for your guest’s car (s) or, if it’s on-street parking, there is enough space for them. If necessary, remember to sort out their on-street parking permits.

A bit much?

All this cleaning might seem like a bit much, especially with all the extra Christmas prep.

We provide all the services listed above and more, so you can focus on what matters at Christmas without worrying about cleaning.

If you would like to learn more about our services and how we can help you, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a clean or call 0800 021 3072 today.