Top Tips to Clean Up After the Holidays
The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and a whole lot of clutter. From piles of wrapping paper to festive decorations, cleaning up after the holidays can feel like a daunting task. But don't worry! With the right approach, you can make the post-holiday cleanup quick, easy, and even fun. Here are some top tips to help you tackle the mess and get your home back in shape.
1. Start with the Big Stuff
Begin by tackling the biggest items first. This will help you create a sense of accomplishment early on and give you more space to work with.
- Pack up decorations: Gather all your holiday decorations, including Christmas trees, ornaments, and lights. Store them carefully in labeled boxes for easy access next year. If you're dealing with a real tree, take it outside to compost or dispose of it according to your local guidelines.
- Remove any holiday-specific items: Take down wreaths, garlands, and other seasonal items that are now out of place. This will instantly make your space feel less cluttered.
2. Handle the Wrapping Paper
Wrapping paper is one of the messiest holiday remnants. Avoid letting it pile up by dealing with it immediately.
- Sort and recycle: Separate recyclable paper from non-recyclable items like ribbons, bows, and tape.
- Repurpose if possible: You can save some of the wrapping paper for future gift-giving. Similarly, boxes and gift bags can be reused next year, reducing waste.
- Tidy up your gift area: If you had a designated area for gift opening, clean it up by gathering any leftover tags, paper, and cardboard.
3. Declutter Surfaces
With all the festivities, your surfaces (tables, counters, and shelves) are probably covered in clutter. Now is the perfect time to tidy them up!
- Put away extra items: Gather any leftover holiday snacks, games, or party favors and put them away.
- Sort through holiday cards: Set aside any cards that need to be sent out (perhaps for New Year’s greetings) and recycle any unwanted ones.
- Wipe down all surfaces: After putting everything in its place, give surfaces a good wipe. Use a multi-surface cleaner to remove dust, fingerprints, and any holiday mess.
4. Tackle the Kitchen
The kitchen is often ground zero for post-holiday messes. With all the cooking, baking, and entertaining, it's likely to need a deep clean.
- Clean your appliances: Wipe down your oven, microwave, and stovetop. Don’t forget the fridge — it may be filled with leftover holiday food that needs to be cleared out.
- Dishwashing duty: Wash any remaining dishes and put away clean cookware. If you had a lot of guests, consider running the dishwasher a couple of times to get everything clean.
- Empty trash and recycling: Make sure to get rid of all the trash, especially food waste and packaging, and sort it properly for recycling or composting.
5. Take Care of the Floors
Your floors likely saw plenty of action during the holidays with guests coming and going, meals spilling, and foot traffic. Now’s the time to give them some extra love.
- Vacuum: Make sure to thoroughly vacuum carpets and rugs, particularly in high-traffic areas. Pay attention to areas under the furniture and near the tree.
- Mop hard floors: For hardwood, tile, or laminate floors, use a mop to give them a clean shine. This will eliminate any holiday debris and leave your home looking fresh.
- Shake out doormats: Holiday visitors can bring in dirt and debris. Give your doormats a good shake or wash to make sure they’re free of any outside elements.
6. Address the Guest Room (If Applicable)
If you hosted overnight guests, now is the time to tidy up their sleeping areas.
- Strip the beds: Wash any used linens, pillows, and blankets. If your guests used towels, wash them as well.
- Clear away any extra clutter: Remove any holiday-related items, such as gift bags or leftovers, and return the room to its original state. Make sure everything is in place before setting up for the next round of guests or for regular use.
7. Organize Holiday Items for Next Year
As you finish packing away decorations and wrapping materials, think ahead to next year.
- Label and store carefully: Clearly label boxes for Christmas ornaments, lights, and other seasonal decorations. This will make it easier to find what you need when next year rolls around.
- Take inventory: Note any items that need replacing, such as broken ornaments, outdated decorations, or worn-out lights. You can get a head start on replacing them during post-holiday sales.
8. Clean Out Your Closet
The holidays often come with new clothing and accessories, which means your closet could be bursting with extra items. Use this opportunity to declutter.
- Donate or sell items: Go through your wardrobe and donate any unused or unworn holiday clothing. If you received new clothes, make space by getting rid of things you no longer need.
- Organize your closet: Arrange your items neatly by type, and make sure everything is easily accessible for when you need it.
9. Final Touches
To give your home a fresh start after the holidays, consider these finishing touches:
- Air out the space: Open the windows for a few minutes to let in fresh air and eliminate any lingering smells from cooking or candles.
- Add a wintery scent: If you want to keep the festive atmosphere alive a little longer, light a seasonal-scented candle or use an essential oil diffuser with winter-inspired scents like pine, cinnamon, or clove.
Conclusion
Cleaning up after the holidays can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into manageable tasks makes the process more enjoyable and efficient. By following these simple tips, you'll have your home sparkling and ready for the new year in no time. Happy cleaning!
