Your Holiday Cleaning Schedule & Checklist
Between the cooking, baking and cleaning, it can feel like there’s not much time to actually celebrate the holidays. And if you’ve ever found yourself furiously scrubbing the oven three days before Christmas instead of watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” with the fam, well, have we got a solution for you.
Say hello to your new holiday cleaning schedule and checklist. We spread out common cleaning tasks over the course of a month, so you’ll have plenty of time to get everything on your list done.
Download Your Printable Checklist
Your Holiday Cleaning Schedule & Checklist
1 Month Before: Get Started
Entryway
Wipe down the door with a damp cloth.
Launder (or deep-clean) the doormat.
Tuck away any out-of-season items.
Living Room
Vacuum furniture.
Treat any furniture or carpet stains.
If you have a fireplace you plan to use, schedule a chimney sweep.
Dining Room
Polish silver. (Here’s how to remove tarnish.)
Launder any table linens you plan to use.
Polish the dining room table.
Ensure you have enough chairs for your guests. Borrow or rent any extras.
Kitchen
Deep-clean your refrigerator and freezer.
Bathroom
Address any leaks, broken hardware or other issues.
Guest Bedroom
If you don’t use your guest bedroom often, make sure everything is in working order.
Read up on our essential tips for hosting overnight guests.
Outside
String any holiday lights.
1 Week Before: Freshen Up
Entryway
Sweep or mop floors. (If you have hardwood, try this hardwood floor cleaner).
Shake out the doormat.
Living Room
Dust the space.
Launder throw blankets.
Wipe down the coffee table.
Dining Room
Dust the space.
Wash any serving dishes you plan to use.
Press any table linens you plan to use.
Kitchen
Clean appliances, like your stove, microwave and dishwasher.
Dust the top of the fridge.
Sweep or mop floors.
Bathroom
Sweep or mop floors.
Stock up on extra toiletries.
Guest Bedroom
Write down the Wi-Fi password for guests.
Remove any personal belongings from the closet and dresser.
Outside
Let your neighbors know that you’re expecting a lot of guests—especially if they plan to park in the street. If you have overnight guests, find out if you need overnight street-parking permits for their cars. (No one wants a parking ticket on Christmas!)
1 Day Before: Last-Minute Details
Entryway
Move coats out of the closet or off the coat rack to make room for guests’ belongings.
Living Room
Tuck away any clutter, like newspapers, books or remotes.
If you have a pet, lint-roll any seating areas.
Dining Room
Place fresh flowers or a centerpiece on the table.
Set the table.
Kitchen
Wipe down the refrigerator.
Clean the countertops.
Take out the trash.
Empty the dishwasher.
Refresh the garbage disposal. (Feeling ambitious? You can polish your sink, too).
Clear personal items (like appointment reminders) off of the fridge.
Bathroom
Wipe mirror.
Clean the tub, shower and toilet.
Remove clutter and personal products from the vanity.
Guest Bedroom
Make the bed with fresh sheets.
Lay out fresh towels. (We love this laundry trick for fluffy towels!)
Outside
Put away any yard tools, like rakes or snow shovels.
30 Minutes Before: Final Touches
Entryway
Place a dry boot tray near the door to collect guests’ wet shoes.
Tidy or tuck away any piles of mail.
Living Room
Arrange throw pillows and blankets.
Quickly vacuum up any fallen pine needles from around the tree.
Dining Room
Light any holiday candles.
Kitchen
Make room in the fridge for any dishes guests bring to pass.
Hang fresh dish towels.
Bathroom
Set out fresh hand towels.
Close the shower curtain.
Wipe down the faucet and sink.
Make sure you have enough soap set out. (These are our favorite hand soap brands.)
Guest Bedroom
Fluff pillows.
Outside
If there’s snow or ice, make sure the walk/driveway is shoveled and salted.
Turn on any holiday or house lights.
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