Don’t Host Holidays Without This Cleaning List (You’ll Regret It!)

The holidays are a joyful time meant for gathering with loved ones, relishing delicious meals, and making lasting memories. However, you may think that keeping your home clean for holiday guests while preparing for the festivities is impossible.
Between decorating, shopping, baking, and more, it is easy to push cleaning tasks by the wayside, only to feel later overwhelmed and stressed when company comes calling.

But you can avoid the last-minute holiday cleaning frenzy with the right game plan. What’s it? Read on.

Entryway Cleaning Tips

As the gateway welcomes guests into your home, a tidy entryway sets the stage for the rest of your space. When friends and family step out of the elevator and walk down your corridor, you want their first glimpse of your holiday hospitality to shine.

Tackle these quick cleaning fixes in your entryway leading up to the holidays so it makes a clean first impression.

• Sweep and mop hard floors. Remove tracked-in dirt from tile, vinyl, or concrete floors. If you want an added shine, use a steam mop if permitted by your condo or HDB estate.
• Spot clean carpets and rugs. Scrub stains and give high-traffic areas a pass with the vacuum to clean footprints.
• Dust walls, ceilings, and light fixtures. Use a microfibre duster on a telescoping pole to easily capture dust and cobwebs overhead pre-party.
• Disinfect doorknobs and switches. These high-touch spots beg for grime-banishing wipes or spray cleaners.
• Clear clutter near doors. Designate a donation pile for stray shoes and umbrellas to carve out space for guests’ belongings.

As the first stop inside your home, keeping your entryway clean welcomes visitors warmly no matter what the weather brings this holiday season.

Living Room Deep Cleaning

Your living room, which serves as the heart of holiday happenings in many homes, takes a beating from constant foot traffic, spilt snacks, pine needles shed from the Christmas tree, and many more. Restore peace and sparkling cleanliness to this space with the following living room deep cleaning tips before guests arrive.

Floors

• Give carpeted floors an intensive vacuum.
• Move small pieces of furniture to reach every inch possible.
• Sweep hardwoods thoroughly before a deep mop to lift surface-level dirt.
• If you have pets or kids, consider professional holiday carpet cleaning to revitalise rugs just before big gatherings.

Furniture

• Apply a vinyl/leather foam cleaner to couches and coffee tables to conceal stains without dulling finishes.
• Use a handheld attachment to vacuum every crevice of upholstered furniture.

Windows

• Free your living room of dust and allergens by washing your windows inside and out.

Decor

• Carefully dust ornaments, holiday figurines, framed photos, and shelved collectibles.
• Polish cherished items to make your decor twinkle.

Electronics

• TVs, game consoles, and stereo systems call for dusting, followed by screen wipes suitable for delicate surfaces.
• Minimise fingerprints marring displays that will be on view.

Thoroughly deep cleaning your living room ahead of the holidays lets you remove lingering odours, freshen worn furniture, and restore sparkle from floor to ceiling. Make this space feel as special as the season.

Dining Room Cleaning

As the hub for holiday feasting and gatherings in many households, the dining room deserves dedicated tidying before guests take their seats. Follow this dining room cleaning checklist to make the space guest-ready.

1. Clear tables and chairs to sweep crumbs and other debris.
2. Mop tile, vinyl, or hardwood to remove sticky spills and food splatter.
3. Have carpet cleaning services to handle heavy holiday traffic.
4. Dust tabletops, chairs, cabinets, and shelving using a microfibre cloth.
5. Inspect for stains or scratches and touch up as needed so furnishings make a good impression.
6. Machine wash table linens on a hot cycle according to fabric recommendations. Handwash fine china and crystal before displays.
7. Clean windows to frame views of decorative holiday lights outdoors.
8. Use a duster on walls and corner cobwebs overhead.
9. Carefully dust trinkets and holiday decor, then shine surfaces of china cabinets, buffet tables, shelves, and display cases.

With all these done, your dining space creates a warm and welcoming backdrop for holiday gatherings with family and friends.

Kitchen Top Tasks

As cooks rush to prepare festive dishes in the days leading up to the holidays, kitchens easily become ground zero for grime. Counteract this chaos by tackling the top tasks that keep your culinary command centre clean for holiday meal prep and entertaining.

1. Clear refrigerator and freezer interiors, then wash shelves, drawers, and glass to freshen.
2. Scrub ovens, stovetops, and microwaves to eliminate baked-on grease and burnt bits.
3. Disinfect basins, then polish away stains and water spots on stainless steel, enamelled, or porcelain sinks so they shine.
4. Start by clearing food packaging, mail, and other clutter making counters feel disorderly.
5. Disinfect surfaces, then wipe down the fronts of cabinets and appliances.
6. Sweep up crumbs and scraps before thoroughly mopping kitchen floors.
7. Pay special attention to baseboards and behind appliances where grime hides.
8. Clean inside panes first, then wipe exterior glass to frame views of the festive outdoor decor for guests.

Tick these kitchen cleaning tasks off your list ahead of the holidays to maintain a sanitary space for cooking and entertaining.

Bathroom Cleaning

With holiday guests on their way, the bathroom tops the cleaning to-do list, no matter the size of your HDB or condo facilities. Make sure communal restrooms (as well as any private ones in your home) make a sanitary impression by doing these tasks.

1. Scrub porcelain basin, tanks, seats, and base with a disinfectant cleaner.
2. Use a toilet brush to swipe inside the bowl and around the trap, then wipe exterior surfaces.
3. Clean basin, faucet, handles, and countertops using a foam spray cleaner ideal for porcelain, stainless steel, or granite vanity materials found in HDB and condo baths. Rinse and wipe dry.
4. Spray down soap scum and mildew on tiles, glass doors, and vinyl shower curtains. Scrub then squeegee away grime for a spotless finish.
5. Sweep up loose hairs first, then thoroughly wet mop flooring using a disinfecting cleaner indicated safe for use on tile, granite, concrete, or vinyl surfaces.

Tackle these trouble areas to ensure your bathroom makes a clean first impression on holiday visitors despite high traffic and usage this time of year.

Other Common Area Cleaning Tips

Even if you do not have an exterior yard or patio as an HDB or condo resident, you can still ensure that shared common areas give guests a clean welcome. Follow these top tips for a warm welcome:

• Sweep lobby floors and spot mop any visible stains to tidy high traffic areas right outside your unit.
• Dust light fixtures and wipe down surfaces in elevator interiors to improve the ride up to your floor.
• Clear clutter from public hallways to allow neat navigation for visitors. Check if bicycles or other items violating the fire code can be safely stowed.
• Engage professional carpet cleaners to take care of the increasing foot traffic during the holiday season.

Bonus Deep Cleaning Tasks by Room

Here are some deep cleaning tasks (per room) that you could tackle if time allows.

Kitchen

• Defrost and disinfect fridge ice maker and water dispenser if equipped. Flush systems per manufacturer instructions.
• Empty the pantry and wipe down the shelves. Check expiration dates and consolidate ingredients to clear clutter.
• Clean exhaust hood filters over the stove by soaking them in a degreaser and rinsing until grease-free.

Bathrooms

• Remove mineral deposits and deep clean sinks, showers, and tubs with cleaning vinegar. Rinse residue.
• Scrub bathroom tile grout with a brush and baking soda paste. Rinse clean.
• Wash bathroom mats and towels on a hot sanitising cycle.

Bedrooms

• Shampoo carpets and rugs in bedrooms set to host overnight visitors to revive fibres.

Balcony/Terrace (if available)

• Sweep and wet mop outdoor balcony or terrace floors accessible from your unit.
• Clean balcony window exteriors within reach.

Why You Need This Game Plan for Holiday House Cleaning

The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on even the most organised among us. When you are deep into party planning, gift buying, cookie exchanges, and more, it is easy to push domestic duties like house cleaning to the bottom of the to-do list.

But ignoring key cleaning tasks may just put your home in a bad face when you want it to look its best for gatherings with loved ones.

You may consider holiday cleaning services to lend a hand. Yet professional cleaners (including carpet cleaning services and carpet cleaners) book up far in advance once the season hits its peak. Rather than scramble last minute for help getting your home guest-ready, arm yourself with this tailored checklist ahead of time.

Avalon Services is Ready For Your Needs

Prevent a stressful, all-consuming cleaning blitz right when you should be enjoying the holidays. Let Avalon Services do the holiday house cleaning job for you. Talk to us to get started right away.