Introduction
The holiday season is upon us, and in addition to the joys of family and friends, it can also bring a lot of stress! The winter weather may be cold and dreary, but there are a few simple things you can do to keep your home clean and organized during this busy time. Here are our top holiday house cleaning tips:
Clean your oven.
To clean your oven, you’ll need:
- A cleaning solution. Pour it into a spray bottle and then use it to apply the solution to areas that need cleaning. It’s best to choose a solution that is safe for use on ovens. This may be labeled as “oven cleaner” or “glass cleaner.” You can also use vinegar or lemon juice with water as an alternative to commercial cleaning solutions.[1]
- An oven cleaner if you are using one of these products instead of a commercial cleaning solution.[2]
- Soft cloths in case you need to wipe away any remaining residue after using either product on an area of your oven.[3] For example, you might have used soap and water first before applying the vinegar/lemon juice mixture; this would allow any remaining dirt or grime in contact with those parts of your appliance no longer be visible once dried out thoroughly afterwards.[4]
Clean windows.
You can also use a squeegee to clean those windows.
However, if you really want to keep the job simple and easy, vinegar and water works. It’s not just any old vinegar either—it has to be white distilled vinegar. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle and apply as needed by spraying on window and wiping off with newspaper or paper towel. If you have some stubborn spots that won’t come off easily, add some extra white distilled vinegar until it does!
Another way is by using newspaper (or even tissue paper). Gently wipe down your windows with the newspaper/tissue paper so that your houses are sparkling clean!
Replace the air filter.
Air filters are one of those things that we don’t think about until the moment comes when we can’t stop thinking about them. When you change your air filter, you’ll be able to breathe easier and feel more comfortable in your home. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dust settling on your furniture or flooring.
Your filter should be changed every 3 months, but if you notice that dust is accumulating on surfaces outside of the heating and cooling system (like in corners with no air flow), then it’s time to change the filter sooner rather than later. If there’s any doubt, check with a technician or simply follow these steps:
- Open up the unit below where you would normally access an outdoor electrical outlet—likely located near an attic door or crawlspace hatch—and inspect for any damage or obstructions; remove any debris before proceeding further
- Use a ladder and flashlight/headlamp combination if necessary to reach inside of this space; open up each compartment by loosening screws holding its housing together; disconnect power cord before removing entire component from wall mount bracket
Don’t forget the fridge.
The fridge is a place where stuff happens. It’s the home to leftovers and produce, and it’s also the place you hide bottles of wine. You can’t forget about its function as a storage unit, but there are other things to consider when cleaning your refrigerator.
First off, clean the coils inside your fridge with a vacuum or brush attachment on an upright vacuum cleaner (be sure to unplug the machine first). The hard-to-reach coils should be cleaned once per month if you have no pets in your household or every two months if you do.
Next up: clean the condenser coils—they’re much easier than those pesky interior coils because they’re located on top of your appliance and aren’t hidden from view by shelves or baskets. Simply take off any grills that cover them so they’re visible, then use an upright vacuum cleaner with an extension wand attachment or soft bristle brush attachment to remove dust bunnies and other debris (again: unplug before doing so).
Next comes one of my favorite parts about this whole process—cleaning out filters! Filters get gross fast, especially if you have kids who love snacks like potato chips and Cheez-Its (no judgment!). Make sure these little gems are getting refreshed at least once per month by soaking them overnight in vinegar before scrubbing them down with soap and water; this should do the trick until next month when they’ll probably need another bath again!
Drip trays tend not to get much attention since people tend not want them in their kitchens; however it’s important that we don’t ignore these essential items either! Drip trays collect food particles which eventually break down into moldy bits that can cause illness for anyone who touches it without washing their hands afterwards–so make sure yours gets cleaned regularly too! You’ll want to wipe down surfaces regularly as well using warm water mixed with dish soap spray bottle filled with white vinegar solution made up ahead time each week–
Declutter before decorating.
Before you start decorating, it’s best to declutter your home. This will give you a more organized space where everything has its place. You can then focus on setting up your decorations and enjoy the holidays without worrying about whether or not something is out of place.
You should also make sure that there is a designated place for your decorations so that they aren’t scattered throughout your home. You may want to set aside time specifically for this task so that you don’t get overwhelmed by all the clutter in front of you at once. If possible, try finding space in an attic or storage room somewhere else in the house where it’s hidden away but still accessible when needed.
Vacuum under furniture and rugs.
Vacuum under furniture and rugs. Make sure you get into the corners, too! It’s important to vacuum these places because dust bunnies can collect in the spaces between chairs and tables, as well as under your rug. If you have a rug, flip it over and vacuum the back side of it.
Empty closets to check for pests and clean out clutter.
Don’t wait until Christmas is over to tidy up your closets. Get in the habit of regularly purging your closet of unnecessary items and checking for pests. Clutter can be an inviting home for mice, rats, roaches and other pests. Not only will a clutter-free closet make it easier to find things you need but it can also reduce the risk of fire or an injury related to tripping over something on the floor (or falling into a pile of clothes). If you do find evidence that vermin have been living in your closet—and they probably have—use traps or call an exterminator before they make it into your living room!
These holiday house cleaning tips will help you enjoy the season more!
These holiday house cleaning tips will help you enjoy the season more!
- A stress free season is possible, but it takes time and effort.
- Don’t wait for the holidays to start your seasonal cleaning! Start now and make a plan for how to fit everything in before Christmas Eve.
- Declutter as much as you can before starting any dusting or vacuuming. This will make your job go faster and easier when you’re ready to clean up after all of those guests come through the door!
Conclusion
The holidays are a time for family, friends and fun. As you plan the food, decorations and activities for your holiday celebrations this year, don’t forget to make plans for cleaning as well! The best way to ensure that your home is ready for all the festivities is by making sure it’s in good shape before they begin. With these holiday house cleaning tips in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy decorating without having to worry about dust bunnies lurking under every couch cushion or spider webs lurking behind every door jam.
If you need house cleaning services in Morgan Hill, Cleanly can give you a hand! We take the time to understand our client’s specific needs so that their spaces are cleaned to their satisfaction, and cleanings can be scheduled as often as needed to maintain a pristine environment. Contact us now!
