Introduction
If you’re anything like me, it’s hard to get motivated on a Saturday morning when I could instead be sleeping in or watching Netflix. It takes literal superhuman effort to drag myself out of bed and into the living room with my first cup of coffee—but then I have to face the daunting task that is cleaning up after the holidays. It just seems like such a waste of time! But I know deep down that putting off cleaning for too long can lead to an accumulation of clutter that makes it even harder to clean up. And then there’s also the fact that it’s good manners (and better for your health) if you can keep all those dust bunnies at bay! So here are some tips for making holiday cleaning easy:
Get Rid of the Clutter
To get started, you’ll want to purge the items you no longer need. If you can’t remember the last time you used something, it’s probably safe to say that this is clutter and should be tossed or donated. Don’t worry if your stuff feels like it has sentimental value; there are plenty of ways to keep these items around without making them part of your living space. For example:
- Keep clothing in a storage unit
- Store holiday decorations in an attic or basement
- Organize keepsakes in a box for safekeeping
Dust Off the Decorations
Dust Off the Decorations
Before you put away the decorations, dust them all off. Dust figurines, ornaments and tree branches with a soft brush. You can also vacuum them with your vacuum’s soft brush attachment to get into any nooks and crannies that might be hard to reach otherwise. The same goes for garland and wreaths—dust them as well before putting them away in storage boxes or bags.
Clean the Decking
You may find yourself staring at a lot of decking and wondering, “How do I clean this?” As it turns out, the easiest way to clean your decking is by using a pressure washer. Most people don’t have access to these handy devices, so if you don’t have one lying around your house—or even if you do—don’t worry! You can still easily clean your deck with just soap and water.
To start off with, grab a scrub brush and some dish detergent (or any other type of soap). Next, fill up your garden hose with water and turn on the nozzle so that there’s more pressure coming out than usual. Now that we’ve got our tools ready, let’s start cleaning!
Start by spraying down the decking with whatever cleaner solution you’ve chosen until everything is covered well enough that nothing is visible anymore except for some dirt patches here or there where the wood hasn’t been scrubbed yet. Then take another pass over everything with your bristles; this will help loosen up any stubborn dirt clumps before they get washed away completely by all that high-pressured H2O goodness! Once all those pesky spots have been cleaned away using hand motions instead of just rinsing them off like normal ones might do after washing dishes (because sometimes even machines need some extra love), move onto step four: drying time!
Slap on Some Wax
To get the most out of your wax, you’ll want to apply it in a different way. Instead of spreading it over the whole area, start by applying a small amount to an inconspicuous spot. This will help you figure out whether or not the wax is right for your project and how much you need to use. If it’s too thick and doesn’t dry as quickly as a thinner layer would, add more. If it’s too thin and doesn’t stick properly, add less.
It’s also important that you choose the right kind of wax for the job at hand: solid or liquid? Liquid usually works best on metal surfaces because they’re easier to spread around and dry faster than solids (which tend not only be thicker but also require heat lamps). The former can be used on both wood furniture—such as tables or cabinets—and metal surfaces like shelves or door handles; however, keep in mind that applying an excessive amount could leave behind unsightly streaks when wiped off later on down the road!
Vacuum a Rug
If you have a rug, vacuum it. We don’t need to tell you why—you already know that rugs are great for adding texture and visual interest to rooms. But did you also know that vacuuming them helps make them last longer?
The first step is figuring out how your vacuum works. Most vacuums nowadays come with rotating brush attachments, which work by spinning the brush while moving it back and forth over your carpeting. You can use these attachments on rugs, but they may leave behind some lint or pull on delicate fibers. A better option is using a rug brush attachment that gently lifts up dirt without damaging the fibers of your rug (and all the while leaving no lint behind).
If it’s time for an upgrade or replacement, consider getting one with adjustable height settings so that when moving from hardwood floors to low pile rugs in different areas of the house there isn’t much adjustment needed between each surface type.”
Clear the Cobwebs
- Use a duster to get rid of cobwebs. If you have the patience, use an old toothbrush to dislodge spiders and their webs from your ceiling and walls. This method is perfect for those with less mess than other areas in the house.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of cobwebs. Vacuuming is always a good option when it comes to removing dust, dirt and debris from any part of your home! When using this method for spider webs or other sticky substances don’t forget to empty out your vacuum cleaner before continuing on with cleaning tasks!
- Use a broom or Swiffer Sweeper Dry Mop™ Floor Sweeper to get rid of cobwebs in smaller rooms where spiders tend not visit often such as hallways or closets where they may instead commonly find dead insects such as mosquitoes trapped inside corners which are harder for people walking around regularly so here’s where it gets tricky because there isn’t much room inside these spaces but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things we can do like sweep them away with brooms… etcetera…
Mop, Sweep, and Shine That Floor
If you want to clean your hardwood floors, sweep first. Use a microfiber dust mop to ensure that every last bit of dirt is removed. Then follow up by using a damp mop with a neutral cleaner. For tile floors, use a damp mop with diluted vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of stubborn stains and grime. Laminate flooring can be cleaned with either a dry or damp mop—just make sure not to use detergent! Lastly, carpeted areas require special attention: vacuum thoroughly first before using a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner (or buy one designed for carpeted surfaces)
Freshen Up Your Furniture
Treat your furniture to a quick clean, whether it’s made of wood, metal or plastic. Start with a vacuum that has strong suction for removing dust and dirt, then wipe down the surface with a damp cloth. Use another dry cloth to buff away any excess moisture; if you’re feeling fancy (or just want to give your furniture an extra polished look), use a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel instead.
Deep Clean Your Carpeting
When it comes to deep-cleaning your carpet, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First of all, use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush. This will ensure that the dirt gets trapped inside of the bristles and not on top of them. You can also use a steam cleaner to clean carpets—just make sure to follow directions carefully and don’t forget to unplug when finished!
If you want to do what’s best for your home, try not to wait until after big holiday gatherings or parties before cleaning your carpeting. It might be tempting since these events are generally messy affairs involving spilled drinks and food bits scattered everywhere (and let’s not even mention how many shoes get left behind), but it’s better if every day isn’t an emergency clean-up session—that only makes it more likely that someone will slip on something wet later on down the road!
If possible, invest in some good quality rugs for areas where there isn’t much traffic or foot traffic at all times (like hallways). They’ll be easier on everyone’s feet during long walks throughout different rooms in one’s house when compared with bare floors–and they’ll last longer too! When purchasing new rugs though always remember these tips: avoid using bleach; steam clean often; shampoo regularly if needed; wash immediately after spills occur so they don’t stain permanently into fabric fibers.”
Polish up the Sink and Shower Fixtures
- Clean the sink and shower fixtures.
- The grout in your bathroom can get dirty—but it’s not permanent! Use a toothbrush to scrub away dirt and mildew buildup.
- Clean the faucet with a sponge, using your favorite all-purpose cleaner. Wipe down any soap scum that accumulates on the handle.
- If you have a plastic shower head, use an old towel or rag to wipe out any hard water stains before cleaning it with dish soap (yes, even on plastic). Rinse it off well afterward—you don’t want suds building up inside! You can also spray vinegar onto a cloth and rub down dirty spots on glass doors or walls if necessary; this helps get rid of soap scum without leaving behind streaks like straight bleach might do.
You should also clean out hard-to-reach places like drains and underneath sinks with baking soda or vinegar (just make sure everything is dry before placing things back). And if there’s mold growing around the tubs’ edges? Mix up some borax powder (a natural cleaner) in hot water until thick enough to stick together when squeezed through two fingers: then sprinkle over affected area until completely covered (don’t worry about getting too much since it won’t hurt anyone), let sit for 24 hours before rinsing off using warm running water only–no chemicals needed!
Cleaning is never fun but these tips will make it easier to tidy up around the holidays.
Cleaning is never fun, but it’s especially not fun during the holidays. Make things easier on yourself by doing a thorough cleaning of your home before the holiday rush begins. You can do this in stages, starting with your kitchen and bathroom, then moving to the bedrooms and closets, etc., until your whole house is sparkling. This way you won’t have to worry about doing a full sweep of your place all at once—you’ll be more relaxed if you have a clean home.
Conclusion
If you’re dreading the thought of cleaning up your home for the holidays, we hope that these tips have given you some relief. There are so many ways to make cleaning easier, whether it’s by using a Swiffer® Sweeper Wet Mopping Pad or giving yourself an hour each day to tackle tasks one at a time. Whatever method works best for you—and your schedule—don’t forget to make sure your holiday spirit is still shining bright!
Do you need a house cleaning service in San Jose? Whether you need a one-time deep clean or regular weekly service, Cleanly can help! Our team of experienced and certified cleaners will work diligently to clean your home from top to bottom, leaving no detail overlooked. Call us now for a house cleaning appointment!
