There is a lot of prep work that goes into inviting over all the family and hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Not only do you have to worry about finding enough space to cook an enormous turkey and half a dozen casseroles, but you also have to think about deep cleaning the house and bracing yourself for what everyone will say about your housekeeping skills. There are still a few days until the holidays are upon you, which is plenty of time to get your house in perfect guest-hosting order. Here’s a checklist to get you going in the right direction.
Two Weeks Before the Big Day
Time flies by, and when you are busy preparing to welcome family into the home, you can’t afford to delay. With all of the nooks and crannies throughout the house, you need to get started as early as possible. Two weeks before the big day a good time to get some of the major cleaning items out of the way. This is the time to take care of big things that will stay relatively clean until Thanksgiving arrives. These are a few areas to pay special attention to.
- Clean the Fabrics
Fabric furnishings, whether the carpet, the drapes, or the upholstery, are notorious for holding onto bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens. A buildup of these particles can obstruct the airflow in the home and make it more difficult for those in the house to breathe easily. Toxic buildup can occur and increase the risk of health problems such as asthma attacks, colds, or respiratory conditions. Rather than undertake the cleaning on your own, leave it to the professionals. They have the equipment and solutions to deep clean upholstery, different weaves of carpet, or area rugs and rid them of harmful particles. Failing to thoroughly dry the fabrics after cleaning can result in complications of mold, while using the wrong cleaning solution can discolor your fabric.
- Clean Out the Closets
Start cleaning out the closets in the rooms where your houseguests are going to stay. Not only will you feel more confident in the space you present your in-laws, but you also clear out the dust in time to be cleaned by the carpet cleaning service. There will be no surprises when your guest opens the closet door, either visually or on their senses.
One Week Before the Big Day: Friday/Saturday
Though you could do these tasks exactly one week until Thanksgiving, you can save them for the Saturday before the holiday. On this day, you have a lot to get through, so it is best to get up early, put on the coffee, crank up your favorite playlist, and get busy.
- Clean Out the Refrigerator
You need to give your refrigerator a thorough cleaning if are going to have room for the turkey, the sides, the pies, and everything else. Empty out any undated food storage containers and get them in the sink to be washed. Check the expiration dates on your condiments and make sure you have taken out anything that is out of date. You don’t want guests accidentally getting into something that should have been tossed out. Getting rid of it now ensures your garbage can won’t be full and giving off an odor while your guests are there. Wipe down and disinfect all the drawers and shelves.
- Make and Shop Your Grocery List
Running around to several stores can be both exhausting and time-consuming, and you should take advantage of the time you have on a Saturday to make your list for the upcoming week. Remember to include any of the items that you have just tossed out from the refrigerator, but also consider the cleaning products you will need to handle the rest of the house projects. Take some time and head to the store before the rush of the holiday hits.
Four Days Before the Big Day: Sunday
Spend the day doing a deep cleaning of your kitchen. The refrigerator is a big deal, but with this checked off, you can spend time pulling out all of the special dishes and flatware for washing. Wipe down all of the cabinets, the backsplash, and your appliances. Clean the stove to avoid the smell of burnt food ruining your well-cooked turkey. Wipe down the dining furniture.
Three Days Before the Big Day: Monday
Now is the time to start preparing the guest rooms. Vacuum and dust each room, cleaning fan blades, windows, and mirrors. Pull out the linens and wash them. Make sure the curtains have been washed or cleaned. Once you have made the bed and set the washcloths and towels inside the room, pull the door shut and keep the room closed until your guests arrive.
Two Days Before the Big Day: Tuesday
Time is ticking away, and the Tuesday before Thanksgiving should be the day to kick things into high gear. Spend time focusing on the bathrooms. Not only should you stock them with clean hand towels, hand soap, toilet paper, and tissues, but everything should be scrubbed and sanitized. The smell of some chemicals can be overwhelming and linger for several days, so consider the ventilation in the bathroom and adjoining rooms if you plan on using a bleach solution or ammonia-based solution.
One Day Until the Big Day: Wednesday
Don’t panic as you head into Wednesday. By now, you should only be worried about the outside of the home and the common areas where guests will mingle. Between these items and the cooking you need to get started, you are in for one last big push.
- Sweep the front porch, sidewalk, or driveway before cleaning the floors in entryways.
- Give everything a good dusting or wipe down in the common areas, such as the living room, family room, or entryway.
- Vacuum the floors and carpet after you have finished the dusting.
- Clean any glass or mirrored surfaces in the house.
Taking Care of the Big Day: Thursday
Once you get to Thursday, you can finally sit back and enjoy spending time with your guests. You may want to walk through the house to do a spot check, but all of the heavy lifting should be done. Make sure the kitchen garage is empty and ready to be filled, and try to have the dishwasher unloaded and ready to handle the dinnerware or pots and pans. With a clean house and a full stomach, you will be able to soak in the holiday. Just make sure you have everyone pitch in to clean up after dinner.
If you are stressed about getting ready for Thanksgiving, give Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning a call at 1-888-817-8339. They can give you a head start on preparing for guests and making sure your home smells fresh and inviting.