Tag: Fall Cleaning tips

Goodbye To Fall Holiday Stress

Fall Cleaning Tips

So the kids are back in school, vacations are over and the house is back to a normal routine.

Did you know that this is the best time to pre-clean before the holidays?  Yes! Most people stress themselves at the beginning of November or December to get the house spotless for all those guests if they are hosting for the holidays.

No need to stress yourself out.  Would it not be nice to actually sit back and relax for once? Here are a few simple tips to help you make any holiday event as smooth and stress-free as possible.

1-Plan your menu early

The sooner you know what you would like to serve, the easier it is to cook for the big event.  For each item, you would like to prepare, make a list of all the ingredients needed for it.  Once this is done, check your pantry to see which items you already have in stock and check it off of your list. I normally recommend having some type of storage bin or area in the pantry where you can place all the items needed together and place a note stating which holiday the items are for.  You can then make a secondary list from the main list of the items you would need to purchase the week of the event which normally consists of those items that are perishable and would not keep long in the fridge.  This way you cut back on the number of trips you would have to make to the grocery store and the stress of missing items.

2-Check Your Cookware and Bakeware

Once you have your menu set, this is also the perfect time to check your cookware and bakeware items to make sure you have all that will be needed to pull off a perfect holiday meal.  Nothing like wanting to serve some appetizers and you find out that the tray you thought you had is no longer presentable, damaged, or missing.

3-Go Through Your Linen Closets and Storage Bins

If you will be having guests stay in your home, this is the time to go through your linen closets and/or linen storage bins to make sure you have enough sheets, pillowcases, spreads, towels, wash clothes, etc.  You can go ahead and pre-wash the items you would need to make sure they are fresh and clean before your guests arrive.  I usually recommend doing this at least 2-4 weeks prior to your guests’ arrival. This will eliminate the stress of wondering if the linens are clean and fresh for your guests, and to make sure they are presentable which keeps you from making any last-minute stressful trips to the store to purchase more.

4-Do A Home Deep Cleaning

We all want our homes to be fresh and clean before we host that big holiday event. It would help to have your home deep cleaned at least 4 weeks prior to hosting the holiday event. This will make it easier to keep your home clean before the big event.  This is also the time to get your carpets/rugs cleaned if they have not been done within the last 6 months. Also, a good time to take a look at your curtains/drapes/chair covers, etc. to make sure they are clean as well.

Planning ahead and being prepared is one of the easiest and best ways to cut down on some of the stress that comes with being the host of the big holiday event!

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6 Essential Fall Cleaning Tips

Cleaning Tips, Fall Cleaning Tips

Fall Cleaning TipsThe weather is cooler.  The kids are back in school. Fall sports are back in full swing.  Time to get a few essential items done around the house.  

This will be similar to a Spring cleaning with a concentration on items that pertain to the cooler/colder weather.  The best time to perform this cleaning is after Labor Day and before you start your Fall decorations.  

My list can definitely be customized to your house and preferences.  These are items that I have noticed over the years that most clients ignore or really do not think about.

1.The Fireplace.  If you use it during the winter, it definitely needs to be cleaned and checked by a professional.  If you do not use it, still have it checked by a professional and see what type of sealing options are available.  This is done whenever the fireplace is not in use which most people do after the winter.  This helps with drafts, AC loss in the summer and heat loss in the winter.  SIDE NOTE: if you are having the fireplace/chimney cleaned, this is also a good time to get the dry vent line cleaned out as well.  Most companies that clean the fireplace/chimney also clean out dryer vent lines

2. The Oven. Yes the oven.  This is the best time to get it cleaned out, if it has been a few months since the last cleaning.  This way you know the oven will be ready for all the holiday cooking and baking that will be taking place. You can also clean out the drawer below the oven (if you have one).  It can also be removed to make it easier to clean underneath the oven.

3. Refrigerator/Freezer.  Yes it can be done and this is the best time to get it done.  Remove all those items that have expired.  Find those storage containers you have been looking for as they have been sitting in the back of the freezer.  Don’t forget to clean the top of the fridge as this is an area that no one seems to think about.  If possible, I also recommend pulling your fridge away from the wall and cleaning behind it.  If you have a water line connected, do be careful as you move the fridge  to ensure you do not break this line.  I refer to the top and back of the fridge as the “forgotten zones”! 

4. Window Treatments. Take the drapes down and get them cleaned.  Wash the curtains and sheers.  Dust and clean shutters, blinds or shades.  And this leads to the next item…

5. The Windows. Yes.  If you are going to clean the window treatments, shouldn’t the windows be nice and shiny? The best way to get your screens, windows and sills clean is to have them pressure washed.  However, there are products on the market that you can use specifically for exterior window cleaning.

6. The Floors.  This is a great time to get the carpets cleaned, tile/marble floors, hardwood or laminate floors cleaned.  You can take this task on yourself or hire a professional to get the job done. There are a lot of carpet cleaning companies on the market today that also clean tile, marble and laminate floors.  Hardwood floors can be cleaned by a regular cleaning company, just ask when scheduling services if they clean hardwood floors.

I hope that you find the above list helpful in planning your Fall/Autumn cleaning.  The best plan is a well thought plan that you schedule sooner than later!

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