Declutter and Clean for the Holidays: Expert Tips for Every Room

Create a Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere for Your Guests This Season

2. Kitchen: Declutter and Clean for Holiday Feasts

The kitchen is another hub of holiday activity, whether you're cooking big meals or hosting casual gatherings. A clutter-free and clean kitchen will make meal preparation easier and ensure your guests feel comfortable.

Decluttering Tips:

• Empty Countertops: Remove non-essential appliances and gadgets from counters. Store them in cabinets or pantries, leaving room for holiday cooking and serving.
• Sort Through Cabinets: Check for expired spices, sauces, and dry goods. Organize your pantry and kitchen cabinets to ensure everything is easy to access during meal prep.
• Declutter the Fridge: Before holiday grocery shopping, clean out the fridge to make room for festive foods. Discard expired items and wipe down shelves and drawers.
• Organize Drawers: Declutter utensil drawers and ensure you have enough space for holiday serving tools. Organize your cutlery, knives, and tools for easy access. Assess your cookware collection, donate or sell items you rarely use.

Cleaning Tips:

• Deep Clean Appliances: Wipe down the stove, oven, and microwave, making sure they’re spotless for holiday cooking. Clean the inside of the fridge and freezer if necessary.
• Clean the Sink and Faucet: Scrub the sink and polish the faucet for a gleaming finish. Use baking soda and vinegar to freshen down the drain. Use Clorox Clinging Bleach Gel to remove any stubborn stains in your sink, on countertops, and inside the microwave.
• Wipe Cabinets and Backsplashes: Kitchen cabinets collect grease and dust over time. Use a mild cleaner to wipe down cabinet doors and backsplashes.
• Sweep and Mop: Pay special attention to the kitchen floor. Sweep thoroughly and mop with a disinfectant to leave the area clean and fresh.

Pro-Tips:

• Use baking soda and vinegar to freshen down the drain. Just pour baking soda down the drain and then add a little vinegar. Do this at night and let it sit until the morning. Rinse it down the drain and you're done. (This also works well if you have gnats flying around your sink!)
• Use Clorox Clinging Bleach Gel to remove any stubborn stains in your sink. Just paint it on with a brush, and let sit for about 15-20 minutes. Use gloves with this product as it is a bleach product you do not want to get this on your skin. (Alternatively, if you don’t have any Clorox, you can use the baking soda and vinegar method to clean the sink, but we feel  Clorox does a better job at sanitizing and removing stains.)
• Don’t be intimidated by your oven’s self-cleaning feature! It’s designed to make your life easier. Just remove any large food debris and make sure the oven racks are taken out. Then, activate the self-cleaning cycle and let it work its magic. The process uses high temperatures to turn food residue into ash, which can be easily wiped away once the oven cools down. Most self-cleaning ovens take about 4 hours to cycle through and the room will become warm, this is normal. It’s a great way to keep your oven sparkling clean with minimal effort!
• Use Scrubbing Bubbles to clean the inside of your microwave. This bleach-based product dries clean and the reason it’s so great in the bathrooms! When cleaning the tub, you want to avoid filling it with water that may contain residue from cleaning products. Scrubbing Bubbles ensures a thorough clean without any leftover traces.

3. Dining Room: Declutter and Prepare for Festive Feasts

The dining room is where the magic happens during holiday dinners. A clean, clutter-free dining room makes the space feel more open and inviting for gatherings with family and friends.

Decluttering Tips:

• Clear the Table: If your dining table is a catch-all for mail, paperwork, and random items, it's time to clear it off. Leave only your holiday centerpiece or seasonal décor.
• Organize the Buffet/Sideboard: Clear any clutter from sideboards or buffets and leave only the items you'll need for serving.
• Declutter the China Cabinet: If you have a china cabinet, now’s the time to dust and declutter it. Display only your best pieces or seasonal serveware.
• Remove Unnecessary Furniture: If space is tight, consider removing chairs or side tables to make more room for guests to move around comfortably.

Cleaning Tips:

• Polish Silverware and Glassware: Ensure your silverware, glassware, and holiday plates sparkle. Polish any tarnished silver and wash delicate glass pieces.
• Clean Light Fixtures: Dust chandeliers and pendant lights for a brighter, cleaner look. Don’t forget to wipe light switches, which can get grimy with regular use.
• Dust and Wipe Down Furniture: Dust the dining table, chairs, and any other furniture. Pay special attention to chair legs and table edges.
• Vacuum and Sweep Floors: Clean under the dining table and in all corners, ensuring the room is ready for a holiday feast.

4. Bedrooms: Declutter and Clean for Guest Comfort

If you’re hosting guests for the holidays, your bedrooms should be clean, clutter-free, and welcoming. This ensures your family and friends feel at home during their stay.

Decluttering Tips:

• Clear the Nightstands: Remove any unnecessary items from nightstands, such as old books, water bottles, or electronics. Keep it simple with a lamp, alarm clock, and a few personal touches.
• Declutter Closets and Dressers: Make space in closets and drawers for guest belongings. Consider donating clothes you no longer wear to free up space.
• Under-Bed Declutter: If you've been using the space under your bed for storage, now's the time to declutter and organize. Use storage bins to keep things neat or remove unused items.
• Organize Guest Essentials: If you’re expecting guests, prepare a clean set of linens, fresh towels, and toiletries for them.

Cleaning Tips:

• Dust All Surfaces: Dust furniture, lamps, and picture frames. Wipe down windowsills and cobwebs around the ceilings and ensure window treatments are free of dust.
• Clean Mirrors and Windows: Use a glass cleaner to wipe mirrors and windows for a streak-free shine.
• Freshen Linens: Change bed linens and fluff pillows to create a cozy, welcoming space for your guests.
• Vacuum Carpets and Rugs: Pay attention to high-traffic areas and under furniture. A freshly vacuumed room feels much more inviting.

5. Bathrooms: Declutter and Clean for Guest Use

5. Bathrooms: Declutter and Clean for Guest Use

Bathrooms are one of the most frequently used areas during holiday gatherings, so it’s essential to keep them clean, organized, and guest-ready.

Decluttering Tips:

• Remove Unnecessary Items: Clear countertops and shower areas of excess toiletries and products. Only leave out essentials like hand soap, fresh towels, and a small holiday decoration if desired.
• Declutter the Medicine Cabinet: Discard expired medications or products. Organize toiletries and first aid items so they're easily accessible for guests.
• Organize Storage: Make sure bathroom drawers and cabinets are neatly organized. Stock extra toilet paper, hand towels, and cleaning supplies.
• Keep It Minimal: Avoid cluttering the bathroom with too many decorations or items. A clean and simple setup will keep the space functional and tidy.

Cleaning Tips:

• Deep Clean the Toilet, Shower, and Sink: Scrub the toilet, sink, and shower with disinfectant. Pay special attention to the grout and tiles to remove any mold or mildew.
• Polish Fixtures: Shine faucets, showerheads, and handles for a sparkling finish.
• Wipe Mirrors: Use a glass cleaner for a streak-free shine on all mirrors.
• Clean Floors: Sweep and mop bathroom floors, paying attention to corners and around the toilet for a thorough clean.

Pro-Tips:

• If you notice mold in your shower, pre-treat the affected areas with Clorox Clinging Bleach Gel, which is also effective for cleaning and sanitizing toilets. Simply apply the gel to the areas with black mold and allow it to sit until the mold disappears—no scrubbing required; let the bleach do the work. If the first application doesn’t eliminate all the mold, reapply and repeat the process. Once you're done, rinse the area and clean the shower and tub with Scrubbing Bubbles as described next.

NOTE: Bleach can have a strong odor, so open windows and turn on the vent when using it. Avoid staying in the shower while the bleach is working; simply close the curtain or shower doors. If the smell becomes too overpowering, rinse the area with water and reapply if needed. If you're only treating small areas, the smell will be more manageable. However, if you need to treat the entire shower, the scent can be very strong, so it's best to leave the room during this time. When you return, rinse the area immediately. Always remember to wear gloves when using bleach to protect your skin.

• Scrubbing bubbles is a great way to get bathrooms clean, the aerosol can is easier than the spray pump and comes out with more scrubbing bubbles, shake periodically while using. Spray down the whole shower area including the shower curtain or glass doors. Let sit while you clean the mirror, sink, and toilet. Then use a green scrubby to loosen dirt (a green scrubby can be used on the entire shower, even the glass! Just be sure it’s wet, do not use it dry.)