Holiday Cleaning: A Festive First Impression

If holiday cleaning is creeping toward the bottom of your to-do list, it’s time to prioritize. Cleaning in advance will not only give you a home you can be proud of, it will help you feel less overwhelmed in the days leading up to the big event. Here are a few pointers to keep you on track with your holiday cleaning.

• Guests get their first impression of your home the moment it is in sight, so put your “best foot forward” with crystal-clear windows. Window cleaning is often overlooked by homeowners, but it’s an important part of proper upkeep. We encourage our clients to have their windows cleaned regularly, and the holiday season is an excellent time to get started. When you see how great your home looks after your windows are professionally cleaned for the first time, you’ll want them to sparkle all year long.
• Doors deserve a little extra attention, too. Clean handprints and marks off of glass storm doors with a window-cleaner spray. Wipe down entry doors with a damp microfiber cloth, including the doorknob and strike plate. Eliminate scuff marks at the bottom of the door with an eraser-type sponge. Clean moldings where cobwebs may lurk, and make sure outdoor lights’ switchplates are smudge-free. Add a pretty holiday wreath to the door and voila — a festive and welcoming front entrance!
• Placing mats outside doorways is an effective way to lessen the amount of grime and dust that gets tracked into your home, but that’s no excuse to let ground-in dirt make them look dingy. Vigorously shake mats out (outside, of course), and go over them with a cordless vacuum. Don’t forget to sweep leaves and debris from the porch, too.
• This is a great time to clean and declutter the entryway or foyer since it’s where you will greet your guests. Overnight guests need somewhere to sit their bags and suitcases down, so move unnecessary items like that little-used shoe rack or the ever-present collection of extra green bags. Add a mat inside the doorway to further prevent mud and dirt from getting tracked in, but be sure to use one with a non-slip backing (or add a “rug gripper” underneath) to prevent falls.
• It’s a good idea to thoroughly clean your home before you start decorating so you won’t have to clean “around” the holiday decor. Consider creating a schedule of tasks that need to be completed in each room, prioritizing areas like guest bedrooms at the top of the list. Next to each chore, annotate a timeline of how long it will take and a date it should be completed by. Imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel when you cross those tasks off (So long, seasonal stress!).

Want to get that to-do list taken care of in one fell swoop? Custom Cleaning of the Treasure Coast can handle it! We customize our services to fit your needs, and we’ll get the job done on time. Contact us today at 772-220-7915 to schedule a free estimate.