How to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays: A Simple Checklist.

Hosting family, throwing a party, or just want the house to feel ready when the decorations come out? Getting your home ready for the holidays is a lot easier when you spread it out instead of cramming it all into the day before. Here is the simple timeline we’d follow, room by room, from a team that has spent Over 40 Years cleaning homes across Nazareth and the Lehigh Valley.

1. Three to four weeks out: plan and declutter

Start by deciding which rooms guests will actually use. For most homes that is the entryway, living room, dining room, kitchen, a bathroom and maybe a guest room. Focus your energy there and let the rest wait.

• Clear the surfaces. Counters, coffee tables and the entry table fill up fast once the decorations come out. Box up what you don’t need for the season.
• Make room for coats. Empty part of a closet or set up a rack so coats don’t end up piled on a bed.
• Check the guest room. Wash the bedding, test the lamps, clear a drawer and put out extra blankets.
• Book help early. Carpet cleaners, handymen and caterers all fill their calendars in November and December. If you want something done before guests arrive, call now.

2. Two weeks out: the deep-clean jobs

These are the jobs that take time to do and time to dry, so get them done well before the house fills up.

• Carpets and rugs. Guests notice the traffic paths from the front door to the couch and the kitchen. Vacuum slowly in both directions and spot-treat stains. If the carpet needs more than that, schedule a professional cleaning now so it is fully dry long before anyone walks on it.
• The couch everyone will sit on. Vacuum the cushions and crevices, and treat spots on the arms and headrests where hands and heads land.
• The kitchen. Clean the oven before the big meal, not the morning of. A self-clean cycle can smoke and smell, so run it while you have time to air the house out. Clear out the fridge to make room for leftovers and wipe the shelves.
• Bathrooms. Scrub tile and grout in the guest bath and around the tub. Dingy grout is the first thing people see while washing their hands.
• Light and air. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures, replace burned-out bulbs, and wash the windows guests will look out of.
• The dryer vent. More guests means more towels and bedding to wash. Clean the lint screen every load and make sure the vent hose and outside flap aren’t clogged. A clogged vent makes the dryer work harder and is a fire risk.

3. Get the entryway ready for winter weather

Here in Pennsylvania, holiday guests often bring snow, slush and rock salt in with them. The entryway takes the biggest beating of the season, and what gets tracked in there ends up on every floor in the house.

• Use two mats. A rough scraper mat outside and an absorbent mat inside catch most of the grit before it reaches your floors.
• Set up a boot spot. A boot tray and a bench by the door makes it easy for guests to take their shoes off without being asked.
• Watch the ice melt. Salt residue can leave a white film on hardwood and carpet and wear down finishes over time. Wipe hard floors with a damp microfiber mop, and vacuum salt out of carpet once it is completely dry. If you have pets, look for an ice melt labeled pet-friendly.
• Light the way. Check the porch and walkway lights, and keep the steps cleared and salted before guests arrive.

4. Protect your floors when the furniture moves

Extra chairs, folding tables and a Christmas tree all mean furniture gets moved around. That is when floors get scratched and dented.

• Felt pads. Put them under the legs of dining chairs and any extra seating, especially on hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl.
• Lift, don’t drag. Get a second person to help move heavy pieces.
• Protect the floor under the tree. Put a waterproof mat or tray under the tree stand. Water and sap from a live tree can stain carpet and damage wood floors.
• Plan a spot for food and drinks. Set the buffet and drink station up on a hard floor, or put down a washable rug in the busiest spot.

5. Decorate safely

• Check the lights. Throw out any strand with frayed wires, cracked sockets or loose connections. Don’t overload outlets or run cords under rugs.
• Water the tree every day. A dry tree catches fire easily. Keep it away from the fireplace, space heaters and heat vents.
• Be careful with candles. Keep them away from the tree, curtains and garland, and never leave them burning in an empty room. Battery candles give the same look without the worry.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. More cooking, a lit fireplace and a full house make this the right time of year to check them.

6. Pets and holiday guests

The holidays can be a lot for pets. New people, new smells and a lot of noise can lead to stress, escapes and accidents.

• Give your pet a quiet room with water, a bed and a favorite toy for when the party gets busy.
• Watch the front door as guests come and go.
• Keep holiday food out of reach. Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, and anything sweetened with xylitol are dangerous for dogs. Ask guests not to share from their plates.
• Expect an accident or two. Excited dogs sometimes forget their manners. Brian’s dog Kona has some advice on that: Kona’s Pet Accident Tips.

7. The last 48 hours: the quick refresh

If the bigger jobs are already done, the last two days are just about touch-ups.

• Restock the guest bathroom: toilet paper, hand soap, clean towels, and a plunger where guests can find it.
• Empty the trash cans and the dishwasher so you start the party with room to spare.
• Vacuum the entry and main living areas one more time.
• Wipe down the kitchen counters, sink and appliance handles.
• Clear a spot in the fridge for the dishes guests bring.
• Put together a small spill kit: white cloths, paper towels, a spray bottle of cool water and a mild dish soap. You’ll be glad it’s ready.