During the busy holiday season, what is your strategy for keeping your home guest-ready?

Question

Keeping a clean home during the hectic holiday season can be a challenge - especially with the additional details to deal with, like gingerbread cookies on the floor, holiday decor that needs constant dusting, and guests dropping in at the last minute. How do you keep your home clean during this busy time?

Answer 1

- Every night, tidy up your kitchen or the room that guests will mainly be in.
- Get lots of store-bought holiday cookies and store them in a hidden place in your pantry. Save them for times when guests stop in; all you have to do is put them on a fancy plate and you have snacks in a flash!
- Instead of lots of holiday decor in need of dusting, keep it simple. Use holiday napkins, plates, and display only one main holiday centerpiece, like a cute wooden snowman or Santa - it will be easy to dust quickly and will ensure that you don't go overboard with decorations. It will look very simple and classic.
- Use scented candles in your home. Nothing is more welcoming than stepping into a house that smells like cinnamon, peppermint, or pumpkin pie. The scent of your house instantly says effort, and candles are relatively low maintenance. This will also add to your decor.
- Keep a dust-buster, lint-roller, or a Swiffer mop handy in a drawer or cabinet downstairs so you can immediately clean up cookie crumbs and messes. In the same cabinet/drawer, you should also store paper towels and other clean up supplies.
- Start a habit (if you haven't already) of putting dishes in the dishwasher and not leaving them out all day, throwing dirty clothes in the hamper, and cleaning up after yourself. If you already do, talk to your kids and have them do the same; your house will look a lot nicer without dishes stacked in the sink and a pile of clothes all over the floor.

Good luck & happy holidays!

Answer 2

I am young, in college, and always on the go. I do however, find time to clean my place and always have it guest ready any day of the year. I use plastic plates, cups, forks, knives, spoons- the works. I only use my dishes and actual silverware when the company is over. This way I do not have to spend time doing up all those dishes constantly! I have a Swiffer broom vac and Swiffer mop that I use once daily. These things are so economical and efficient; I can sweep and mop the floors both in less than 10 minutes! Then I get baby wipes and use those to quick clean and disinfect my tables and counter tops. I use Pledge dusters multi-surface to quickly dust the furniture and pictures and knick-knacks. Then I always have Glade plug-ins or candles to help give each room just a hit of fragrance and freshness. I super clean once a week and it cuts down my daily cleaning apartment cleaning to a total of 20 minutes- very manageable. Nobody has ever bad mouthed me or my place and my place is the favorite hang out.

With cooking the meals and all that fun stuff, I cook some of the food a day or two early- those things that I know I can keep good and healthy in the fridge and then I just reheat it right before we'll eat. That way I only have to make the last minute foods.

The children are given a special table in the kitchen and I bought a huge SPLAT MAT. If they want to throw all the food on the floor they can do so and all I have to do is grab the mat, fold it up and throw it in the trash- no big mess todeal with.

Answer 3

When I am inviting family and friends over for Christmas, one of my strategies is to use the "clean up as you go" method. If you spill some flour, stop the mixer and pick it up. If you make a mess,clean it up right away. If you are still having trouble, ask your guests if they could drop by a little later. It may seem impolite but it's really not. If you have someone who is willing to drop by a little earlier to help you out, that is a VERY helpful tool. Making cookies, is best done the day before or earlier, that way you have 1) more time to do other things and 2) no mess to clean up! If you are using something, put it away right after you're done. If you are having trouble with dusting ornaments, you may want to buy a spray and dust duster, the liquid is non-toxic and isn't harmful to any material, and it repels dust for at least 4 days. When cleaning bathrooms, it is best to clean the toilets first, and while the bleach or cleaner you are using settles,wipe down the floor and countertops with a Clorox or other brand sanitary wipe that is made for kitchen and bathroom. Nothing is more annoying than having to clean bathrooms over and over because bathrooms are the most heavily used rooms in the house! Remember, when you are trying to clean your house and keep it clean; Windex is your best friend. It can make things sparkle like they're brand new. If you are planning a cookie exchange, the best way to clean up after, is to first throw out ALL the garbage, and then, sweep the crumbs, and then sanitize with wipes and sprays. If the guests are going to come early, ask them to let you know beforehand so you can get ready. People have told us that many times before and it actually helps us because we don't want to barge in on the host, so don't think of it as impolite. Good Luck and Happy Holidays!

Answer 4

I always make sure the guest bedroom had fresh clean sheets and the guest bath and powder room are well stocked with toilet paper and cleaned. The day before guests arrive, I go through the entire house vacuuming all carpets and stairs, sweeping and dusting. While guests are here I do spot clean ups as needed. I have resigned to the fact that a trip to the grocery stoor at least every other day is needed for milk or whatever is running out. House guests have a way of letting you know what's needed. I've had no complaints and they keep coming back, so I must be doing something right?!

Answer 5

Why does holiday decor need constant dusting? It's only there for like couple of weeks. Just how much dust do you get in your palce? I don't dust it.
Preparation is the key. Wash all the hand towels, table cloths, kitchen towels, floor mats/rugs. Replace them as needed. Stock up on toilet paper and put it where the guests can find it (hint:inside the bathroom not outside). If your guests are likely to be wine drinkers - buy a few bottles, and a couple of pieces of cheese. Wine and cheese are alrealy good enough to start a table, and they don't require any preparation.
If your guests are more likely to prefer tea, buy some sweets that store well and go well with tea.
Your guests could care less if your house is spotless. They are a lot more interested in holiday treats.
We have a russian saying that goes something like "The house is made look good by good pirogi (food) rather than by beautiful decor."

Answer 6

Well If you are like me and actually have to work a 9-5 or better you don't have the time that some of these women have expressed in their Daily routines. I get home from work around 6 pm (after picking up both kids from different places.) I have a 5 month old and a 5 year old. So when i get home i have about 2.5 hours to spend time with my children clean the house and cook supper Do homework get baths etc. So my secret to success is if you haven't used it throw it out. I recently moved in to a 3 bdr bi-level (Much bigger than i am used to) we lived in a 4 room apt prior to this. I figured out that i had way to much crap i never used. I am just a pack rat so none of that stuff has come out of the boxes.

So when i get home i get the kids settled baby in her playstation 5 year old watch cartoons change the garbage (Makes it smell better) Run the vacuum if there is time if not i spray carpet freshner on it. (Again smells good) Change the cat box if it needs it. Wipe off the glass tables (Finger prints make it look dirty even it i just wiped it the day before. Wash or put away any dishes from the morning or previous day. Make the beds or shut the doors what ever takes less time. Pick up the dirty luandry out of the bathroom floor from the morning shower. Run a load of laundry if i have a full one.

If there is no time for all of that stuff i throw it in the garage or in a closet and hope for the best. I try to keep the living room straightened up constantly so it is ready for compnay. I try to do that in the moring before work so that if say someone comes over as soon as i get home it is clean where thay will be sitting.

Answer 7

The week of Thanksgiving I have a housecleaning team come and do a deep clean for the fall we start in the attic and work our way down. While they are there we bring sown the decorations for Christmas. From then on I do a 30 min morning touch up every day hitting the spots that I see. days a week Usually Monday and Friday I do a normal house cleaning. And every night after dinner I do a general pick up, vacuum and mop what ever needs to be done. The only window I clean is the one on the front door as the kids touch it every day. But otherwise, the house is usually in OK order for the drip in guest. (Most know I have 3 kids of my own and no one knows exactly how many will be here at any given time to hang out and play..so some expectation of shoes and coats cluttering the entry way is reasonable) Good luck and do not worry too much about..Your guest did not come to see your clean home they came to see you.!

Answer 8

Either don't invite people over or only have people that are easy-going or don't care if your house is a mess. I am mostly seriously, but if you really want others over and to make it nice for them, you should have less stuff in your house. Start getting rid of things you do not need or use. The fewer things in your house the fewer things to have to clean, dust, put away. But, after rereading your question I do not think you need to worry as much as you are about dusty holiday decor and ask guests to give you notice before coming over. You should also see why your house is getting that dusty that fast where people notice it. There maybe a different problem like a smoker or something in the house. The most expensive thing to do is hire a house cleaner every week until the holidays are over if you're really that worked up about it. There is no fast, quick way- cleaners are the fastest I've ever seen.

Answer 9

I am young, in college, and always on the go. I do however, find time to clean my place and always have it guest ready any day of the year. I use plastic plates, cups, forks, knives, spoons- the works. I only use my dishes and actual silverware when the company is over. This way I do not have to spend time doing up all those dishes constantly! I have a Swiffer broom vac and Swiffer mop that I use once daily. These things are so economical and efficient; I can sweep and mop the floors both in less than 10 minutes! Then I get baby wipes and use those to quick clean and disinfect my tables and counter tops. I use Pledge dusters multi-surface to quickly dust the furniture and pictures and knick-knacks. Then I always have Glade plug-ins or candles to help give each room just a hit of fragrance and freshness. I super clean once a week and it cuts down my daily cleaning apartment cleaning to a total of 20 minutes- very manageable. Nobody has ever bad mouthed me or my place and my place is the favorite hang out.

Answer 10

but I'm also 37 weeks pregnant, so it's hard for me to do much. I decorated the tree and one of my roommates put lights up outside. there is some clutter (bills, mail) on the counters, but not much. I think it's better if your house looks LIVED IN, not immaculate. It makes people feel more at home. I keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean all the time. Why would i want to cook in a dirty kitchen or clean myself in a dirty bathroom? Doesn't that defeat the purpose? I agree with the Keeping things simple theory for decorations! I like FLYLADY but even some of that stuff is a lot for me right now. I just try to make my bed and keep stuff out of the kitchen sink. I read somewhere that if you only have five minutes before guests come to your house, clean out the kitchen sink, wipe the counters, swipe the toilets and vacuum. this will at least give the impression that you are somewhat clean. I also read that dishes in the sink is the biggest attraction to guests and makes your house look dirty. So, if you do one thing before a guest comes, get the dishes out of the sink!!

Answer 11

I regularly keep a clean house. It's my husband and my self , our dog and cat. The routine that I follow all year long is the same during the Holiday season. I may cook a little more than usual, but thats about it. We don't stress if there's a little bit of dog hair on the floor in the corner, Heck... we may even pick it up in front of a guest!! (the horror of it all).
The Holiday to us is a time of happiness and the people who come to visit love us enough to not care if all the towels in the guest bathroom are aligned properly or if the ornaments are freshly dusted. As the saying goes... Our home is clean enough to be healthy and messy enough to be happy.