Thanksgiving Cleaning Prep List
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Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a week of pulling your hair out to impress your relatives. Of course the food is front and center but the real details are done before you even cook the turkey. We want to give you a helpful guide to make the behind the scenes of the holiday go smoothly.
Step One: Assess the Damage
Do a walkthrough of your home, critique every inch as if you are your in-laws visiting unexpectedly, but also remember guests don’t typically go in your bedroom or closets, so those aren’t priority.
Make a list of everything that needs to be done so you don’t have to feel like you forgot something later on. Remember to look high and low. Do you need to replace a light bulb in the bathroom? Scrub that scuff mark off the baseboards by the front door? Put it on the list!
Step Two: Check Your Cleaning Supplies
Make sure you have everything you’ll need to do your cleaning.
Check those bottles of cleaner too; you don’t want to be running to the store in the middle of cleaning the counters because you forgot to throw away the empty one.
Put everything in one area for easy access and less searching around.
Step Three: Prepare the Kitchen
The 24 hours prior to your guests arriving will be spent in the kitchen, it’s important to make sure you make that as stress-free as possible so we have to clean.
Make sure all the cookware you’ll be using is clean and ready to be used.
Wipe down the cabinets, the refrigerator, the microwave, and the countertops.
Give the special holiday dishes and flatware a good scrub.
Clean out your refrigerator. You’ll need room for leftovers.
Don’t forget the oven! Wipe down the door, clean the stovetop, and pay special attention to the inside; we want the turkey to cook without smoking out the house with burnt spillage from last night’s lasagna.
Step Four: Laundry Day
If you’ll be hosting for any out-of-town guests, you’ll need to do some laundry if they are staying with you.
Wash the bedding in your guest room.
Since you’re already in the laundry room, make sure to wash any linen you’ll need for the dinner (I.e. cloth napkins, tablecloths) and hand towels for the kitchen and bathroom.
While you wait for the spin cycle, dust and vacuum the guest room.
Step Five: The Last Minute Details
It’s time to focus on the areas your guests will be visiting.
Dust the window blinds, light fixtures, fan blades, and get rid of any lingering cobwebs.
Pull those extra chairs from the garage and give them a good wipe down.
Clean off the table and lay the tablecloth.
Fluff your couch pillows.
Vacuum and shampoo the carpet.
Bathrooms don’t have to be a gross place, clean the toilet, wipe the counters, clean the mirrors, and sweep and mop the floor.
Stock up on the bathroom essentials; toilet paper, facial tissues, and hand soap.
Finally, make sure everything is checked off your list and you can get cooking and hosting a fantastic dinner.