Each year, the holiday season brings a flurry of entertaining. From hosting a houseful of out-of-town relatives to formal sit-down dinners to impromptu get-togethers, chances are your schedule, and your home, is brimming with activity.
With all the extra foot traffic and activity can also come stress. Stress from shopping and decorating is expected, but what about holiday stress related to cleaning? Fortunately, with a little prep work and proactive thinking, you can make your holidays and your home shine all season long.
Despite the general drive toward cleaning for self-care, there are still those that feel angst when hosting guests over the holidays. In a recent study of 2,000 North American adults conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Bona, when thinking about potential guests, 65% rank their mother in the top three for causing the most anxiety about home cleanliness. Surprisingly, friends (27%) ranked just as high as mothers (27%) as the number one anxiety-causing guest. Neighbors (20%) and mothers-in-law (15%) rounded out the list.
“The holiday season is a time for joy and togetherness, but it can also bring stress, particularly when it comes to preparing our homes for guests,” said Leah Howell, Senior Brand Marketing Manager – Retail, Bona. “While many clean for their own peace of mind, there’s still a significant portion who worry about being judged. At Bona, we’re committed to stress-less holiday cleaning with solutions and tools that make cleaning easier.”
Here are a few tips to keep your home ready for holiday joy.
Divide and conquer
Optimize your time by compartmentalizing each room in your house. Clean a small, focused portion of the room before moving on to the next, so you can see your progress. Try cleaning each room in a clockwise, top-to-bottom motion so you don’t miss a spot.
Prep entryways and clear space in at least one closet for guests’ coats. If you’re using a bedroom for coats, make sure it is clean, since this area will be seen by your visitors.
The kitchen and bathrooms are crucial areas to clean before guests arrive. Besides wiping down counters and sinks, and sweeping and mopping floors, spend time clearing out the fridge to make room for holiday goodies and leftovers. Minimize afterparty cleanup by starting with a clean sink and an empty dishwasher.
Clean and protect floors
Who said you can’t polish the floors and your dance moves at the same time? It seems Canadians have found a solution to amping up floor cleaning fun with just a pair of headphones. When cleaning floors, 57% listen to music or podcasts, and 25% dance or sing. Using a product like Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hardwood Floors will ensure the post-cleaning dance floor is sparkling clean and ready for when the real party guests arrive.
Clean welcome mats and place them inside and outside entryways to help prevent guests from tracking in dirt, mud or snow, further protecting your freshly cleaned floors.
Set up a bench and shoe rack so guests can remove footwear upon entering your home.
Be prepared for anything
With holiday visitors come unanticipated messes — and while house guests appreciate clean accommodations, they don’t always leave them in the same condition when they depart.
Some house guests may leave a lasting impression — and not in a good way. Anticipating anything from spilled cocktails to bathroom disasters with the right cleaning products on hand will rest your mind at ease.
Collect a shortlist of local handyman and cleanup services for minor calamities. Post this list on the fridge so you and your guests know exactly who to call if emergency help is needed before or after guests visit.
It’s OK to set ground rules
Be proactive and communicate with guests to prevent unnecessary mishaps and hassles over the holidays. While most adults would agree, following household rules while visiting someone else’s home isn’t too much to ask. Posting a list of “golden” rules for each room of your home is an easy way to ensure your house is kept neat and tidy for all your holiday guests.
As you’re posting rules, ensure that guests can find everything they need easily, such as towels and paper products, without having to rummage through drawers and cabinets for supplies and other necessities.
A quick cleanup is better than nothing
Most adults might, if given a choice, forgo hosting holiday guests to avoid extra home cleaning. However, even a quick tidying up can help. Just 15 minutes can spruce up a messy entryway or clean kitchen surfaces. Especially for impromptu gatherings of friends or family, it’s important to allow yourself to relax and enjoy everyone’s company without stressing that your home isn’t clean enough.
Enjoy your holiday festivities and your beautiful home this year with less stress by following these tips. Visit bona.com for a range of hard surface floor cleaning and care products to help relieve stress and keep your home shiny and bright, all season long. AND for the host with the most, we’ve got a contest to help you keep your floors as fabulous as your parties. We’re giving away 2 Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hardwood Floors (valued at $34.99 CDN each). Simply enter below!
Nadia Elkharadly
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