MURRIETA, CA—Are you having a houseful for Thanksgiving but want to clean your house yourself? Temecula Valley’s MaidPro franchise owner Trish Duarte can help you organize that.
Duarte brings 17 years of her franchise cleaning business to the table. In addition to that business, she is a published author and runs a social blog offering simple housekeeping tips.
We asked her for suggestions on transitioning from day-to-day living to “house beautiful” in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
“Preparing your home for Thanksgiving and a houseful of guests can seem daunting, but it can be easily tackled a little bit each day,” she suggested. In truth, there are mental health benefits when taking small steps to a fully clean home, and few things are more stressful than hosting and cooking Thanksgiving dinner.
Here are her suggestions on incorporating cleaning and organizing tips for Thanksgiving:
1: Declutter and Assess
Go through each room, assess any problem areas needing attention, and remove unnecessary items using bins or bags for donations. “Last year, I found bulk rolls of packing tape in the guest room closet,” she said. “Don’t ask me why I thought that was a good spot for it. I moved in over 10 years ago, so I need more decluttering sessions and overnight guests to spur me to clean out the closets. Worry not. The packing tape found a new home in the garage where it belongs!” Make it a family activity! Get your little ones involved, set a 15-minute timer, and make decluttering a game.
2: Deep Clean Living Areas
Dust all the nooks, crannies, and neglected spots like ceiling fans, shelves, and valances. Thoroughly vacuum carpets, taking care to go in both directions and edge every bit of that room. Use your vacuum brush attachment to get blinds and baseboards…and don’t forget the windowsills. You don’t want to let your mother-in-law find a fly resting in peace there. Pull cushions off of sofas, fluff and put them back together with a little help from your littles!
3: Focus on the Kitchen
Clean all surfaces and appliances inside and out. The microwave, oven, and refrigerator are essential to the success of your meal, and you’ll want to give them some extra love. “It’s the hub of the home, and for this reason, I like to look at it from my pup’s point of view when sniffing out an errant Cheerio that rolled under the corner of the buffet cabinet. From a low point of view, you might see a piece of glass still lurking under the refrigerator or splattered kickboards under the sink. It’s also a perfect time to toss expired items from your pantry and fridge.
4: Tidy Guest Bedrooms
Change bedding and fluff pillows. Clear surfaces of personal items and thoroughly vacuum, polish, and dust. If your home runs cooler in that room, place a space heater or an extra blanket for your guest’s comfort. “I confess to having a Keurig in my master bedroom and love making a fresh cup of coffee without tracking downstairs to do it,” she said. “Surprise your guests if you’ve got an extra coffeemaker and make them a coffee station where they won’t have to wake other household members and can lounge a bit longer in the comfort of your cozy guestroom.”
5: Clean Bathrooms
Thoroughly scrub sinks, toilets, and tubs. Ensure you have plenty of soap, the TP is stocked in its holder, and clean towels are available. “This is an area you will want to take extra care of cleaning to perfection for your peace of mind and guests’ comfort. “Remember when you first moved into your home, and it felt unnerving to shower in a place that didn’t feel like yours or a hotel room where you had eerie reminders that a guest was there before you,” she said. “Make sure your aunt doesn’t experience that! Or see toothpaste on the backsplashes or Johnny’s fingerprints on the light switches.”
6: Organize Entryway
Vacuum and mop the area, picking up any lingering Amazon boxes or bags. Create a designated spot for jackets and shoes so there isn’t a tripping hazard. Consider adding hooks to the area for hanging coats or a bench-style seat for putting shoes on before a
sunset walk after mealtime.
7: Focus on the Dining Area
Dust and detail your dining table and chairs. Don’t forget the legs of the chairs and where the back and the bottom meet. Those are often overlooked but noticeable when pulling out the chair to sit. Little ones’ sticky handprints and accidental spills are not what you’d want guests to see when sitting down for your well-prepared feast. Dust, set centerpieces, and ensure all plates and utensils are clean and organized.
8: Finish Up Living Spaces
Vacuum and mop floors. Remember to edge and look high, low, and in between for any areas needing a spruce-up before the big day. “Arrange throw pillows and blankets,” she suggested. “Place candles where you want them for lighting that day. These special details create a warm and welcoming environment.”
9: Clean Windows and Light Fixtures
Wipe down windows to let the natural light in, and clean light fixtures. Check the chandelier for spider webs and ensure the bathroom bulbs are clean and haze-free. “In my house, it’s the sliding glass door. Our 95-pound dog cannot keep his sweet little nose off it,” she said. “No matter how much I try, it’s like a tic-tac-toe game gone wrong. Wipe it down inside and out and recheck it the day of your gathering to buff away any streaks.”
10: “Thanksgiving Day” Final Touches
Do a last-minute walk-through of each room. This is the time to pat yourself on the back for a job well done and reflect on how much you’ve accomplished in creating a welcoming home for the holiday. Light a candle, or my favorite is to prepare a “simmer-pot” of cinnamon, cloves, and orange slices in water to bring back memories of my momma’s holiday kitchen.”One final tip! Clean as you cook. Designate a helper to wash and dry the pots and pans as you prepare the meal, and “the more, the merrier” when it comes to washing and drying dishes after the dessert is done.
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After all, family is what it’s all about! By following this timeline and incorporating Duarte’s cleaning tips, you can create a welcoming atmosphere for Thanksgiving and a stress-free transition into the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Of course, if all that’s too daunting, hiring a trusted housekeeper is always an option.
“May your holiday season be filled with joy and laughter as you gather with family and friends,” she said. Follow “Cleaning Tips by Trish,” find her in the Valley Business Journal, and download her book “Homemade and Healthy: Natural Cleaning & Personal Care Products.”
