How to prepare for a clean holiday season!
Holiday cleaning tips for those wishing for a little magic.
The Holidays are officially upon us. Thanksgiving has passed, and we’ve survived and flourished through Black Friday, and the exciting new Cyber Monday trend. Soon, many of you may be hosting out-of-town guests, decorating your homes with the season’s finest or preparing for a quiet but lovely holiday season. I was browsing our selection of Holiday Cards today and found Office Cleaning Elves. I was immediately amused, but even more so, inspired. How can you decorate your home, host a party or enjoy the holidays if your snowflakes are mingling with your dust bunnies? I don’t have a staff of magic elves to vacuum my floors and wash my windows (I wished for one last year, but Santa didn’t deliver), and I’m guessing you don’t either. So, here’s my list of Holiday Cleaning Tips you don’t need elfin assistance to accomplish!
1. Start from top to bottom- Santa doesn’t bounce all over the globe and expect to finish in time. He has a strategy and he delivers swiftly by going in order of time zone. You should do the same. Start at your front door with a broom or a mop and dust all the corners of the ceiling, removing any cobwebs. Wipe down the walls briskly with any mutli-purpose surface cleaner to remove any dullness . Then, take care of your floors so you can sweep away any dust or dirt that may have fallen while tending to the ceilings and walls.
2. Pay particular attention to key areas- Your guests will frequent your kitchen, dining area and bathrooms so make sure these areas are delightfully clean. Wash floors and wax any wooden areas for maximum shine. Finally, make your bathrooms smell clean and festive with evergreen scented candles.
3. Empty out that fridge- It’s a daunting task, but those year old Tupperware’s have got to go. Make room for your holiday feast by categorizing shelves. Leave one shelf open for foods that won’t be used for entertaining or for your holiday meal. Then, anticipate large dishes that may need to be stored the day before an event and designate space for them. Add a box of baking soda so the scents of your dishes don’t linger.
4. Optimize the magic of a dryer sheet- With the holidays approaching, things need to be done fast, and you may not have time to buy a variety of cleaning supplies. If you have a box of dryer sheets handy you can use them in several ways. Leave one soaking overnight in warm water inside a dish or pan that has food stuck to it. It will clear the debris off of even the stickiest of casseroles. Simple dusting can be accomplished by using a dryer sheet to wipe down your air conditioning vents, television, or furniture. Insert a dryer sheet into your vacuum to spread a fresh smell around your home.
5. Give belongings you no longer use to charity- ‘Tis the season for giving, so consider cleaning out your storage areas and donating items you no longer need to Good Will or the Salvation Army. This will clear room for new things you receive during the season, and will also de-clutter your living space.
If Santa sends you some cleaning elves, send them my way! If not, try out my tips for a happy and healthy holiday season!
great tips! the elves would be nice though. :)
Posted by: Liene at Blue Orchid Designs | Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 02:33 AM