Holiday Cleaning Hacks: How to Be Guest-Ready in No Time

Cleaning experts share practical tips for making the home look and feel inviting without spending hours cleaning.

Removing everyday clutter from living spaces instantly makes the room feel cleaner and more inviting. PhotoJuli86/Shutterstock

The holidays are hectic enough without having to worry about cleaning for expected guests. You want a clean house, but you really don’t have the time to dedicate to thorough cleaning during the holidays.

Here are some hacks you can use to have everything done before the first guests arrive.

Limit Where You Clean

First, keep in mind that this is holiday cleaning, not spring cleaning. You don’t have to do it all.

Scott Schrader, a cleaning expert with Cottage Care, told The Epoch Times, “When guests are on their way for the holidays, the goal is to focus on the areas they are most likely to see rather than deep cleaning your home.”

Guest-facing areas such as the entryway, living room, dining room, and bathroom are the top priorities. Focus on these high-impact areas over deep cleaning the entire house.

In other words, you want the public spaces of the house to look fresh and inviting. The rest of the house can wait.

A spotless counter and clean appliances matter more than scrubbing behind the scenes. PeopleImages/Getty Images

Declutter Main Rooms

Make sure you declutter first, then clean. Just this one step will make a room feel clean.

“Just taking 10 minutes to remove piles of mail, shoes, kids’ toys, and miscellaneous mess will make your home feel even twice as clean before you even wash with a cloth,” Schrader said.

One often-overlooked item is pet toys. Fido and Fluffy may like them lying around the house, but they add to the messiness and make areas look unkempt.

The easiest way to declutter is to grab a laundry basket, fill it with items, and store it in a room or closet where the guests won’t see it. You can organize it later when you have more time.

Floors and Surfaces

“Work top to bottom by dusting the surfaces, then vacuum and sweep the floors. These steps prevent double work,” Alicia Sokolowski, president and CEO of AspenClean, told The Epoch Times.

Schrader said: “Floors are important, but keep it simple. You may not even need to mop unless there is something sticky on the floor or it is visibly dirty. Vacuum in the areas most traveled and call it done.”

Start with the surfaces that guests touch or see easily, such as counters, tables, mirrors, and toilets. Sokolowski also advised spending time on trash bins, telling The Epoch Times to “make sure to empty them so they don’t smell or overflow.”

Set a timer and only spend 10 minutes cleaning each room. This will help you keep up the pace. Using a multipurpose spray or wipes will also reduce the time spent switching products.

What Cleaning Can You Skip?

Unless your guests are spending the night, skip bedrooms. Closets don’t need to be cleaned and organized.

Sokolowski said, “You don’t need to deep clean baseboards, vents, grout, or behind appliances.” Your guests won’t look there.

They also won’t look under your couch or tables (excluding the dining room or kitchen tables). The exception is if something under there has an odor. You'll want to clean it then.

A full kitchen scrub isn’t necessary, but make sure that counters are clear and clean where visible. Wipe down your appliances. If you have stainless steel, use WD-40 to take off smudges and give it a shine. You don’t need to scrub the inside of the fridge or clean the oven. No one is going to open your oven door.

The rule of thumb is that if it’s not going to be touched, isn’t letting off an odor, and isn’t in plain sight, it doesn’t need to be cleaned.

Quick Clean-Up Tips

According to the Cleaning Institute, there are some items that will help with hassle-free cleaning. One is multipurpose cleaner, which can be kept on hand (out of reach of children) to wipe up spills and dirt quickly.

Use electrostatic dust cloths for TV screens, framed photos, and knick-knacks. Window wipes can clean up smudges fast, which is important if you have glass in your front doors. These are also usually safe on chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces.

It’s helpful to have a hand-held vacuum on hand for crumb clean-up.

Eliminate Any Odors

The first thing a guest will notice is if your home has a bad smell. That’s also the biggest turn-off. Before guests arrive, air out your home by opening windows. This is especially important if you have a smoker in the house. Ask them to go outside to smoke if you can. Ensure your air filters are clean.

If you have a dog, bathe them to reduce odors. Kitty litter boxes should be clean and out of the way. Place their food out of the main areas, because that can also contribute to odors.

Don’t forget to light scented candles. This will not only produce a lovely smell but also add to the ambiance.

Scented candles can both improve a home's aroma and add to the holiday atmosphere. yourphotopie/Shutterstock

Focus on Areas That Are Seen

It’s the holidays. You’re busy enough without taking the time and energy to deep-clean your house.

As Schrader said, “You want your home to look fresh, inviting, and like you care about it without wearing yourself out.” Happy hosting!