Chances are most of us spruced up, decorated, and thoroughly cleaned our homes before we welcomed guests for the holiday season. Then we enjoyed the season and made merry with family and friends. “The last thing on our minds during the holidays is wanting to clean, so it’s easy to focus on the festivities and let the mess build up,” explains Rosa Picosa, Fabuloso Cleaning Expert and CleanTok Influencer who is based in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
Now that the 2024 seasonal festivities have come to a close and we’re transitioning our Christmas decor to winter coziness, it’s an opportune time—especially while the weather outdoors might still be frightful—to focus on tidying up a few areas that might have been neglected during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. “Spread out your cleaning tasks by tackling one chore at a time to keep things manageable,” says Marla Mock, who is based in Irving, Texas, and is president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
Thankfully, all cleaning tasks do not have to be completed in one day, especially since we’re all recovering from the holiday season. However, if you need insight on where to start, we’ve curated below the best areas to clean according to cleaning professionals.
- Rosa Picosa is a Fabuloso Cleaning Expert and CleanTok Influencer who is based in Kannapolis, North Carolina.
- Marla Mock, who is based in Irving, Texas, and is president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
The Kitchen Countertops
The kitchen is the best place to begin when it comes to post-holiday cleanup. Because of the frequency of cooking holiday meals, dishes, and treats as well as serving, our kitchen countertops deserve a thorough cleaning after all the festivities.
First, take everything off your countertops and wipe them down with a cleaning cloth and dish soap. “For added cleanliness, disinfect using a natural cleaner like vinegar or a store-bought solution, but always test in an inconspicuous area first to avoid damage,” says Mock. Be sure to wipe the bottoms of any canisters or appliances that sit on your countertops, too. Crumbs and food bits might be hiding or stuck to the bottoms of these countertop mainstays.
The Refrigerator
More than likely, no one had time during the holidays to clean and sanitize the inside and outside of the fridge, especially if holiday fun and hosting were at the top of the agenda. Now is the perfect time to take stock of expired items (it’s a new year, after all!), wipe down, and sanitize the inside surfaces with a cleaning spray inside the fridge.
After cleaning your refrigerator, keep it smelling fresh for as long as possible with a simple trick. “Once everything is clean, organize remaining items and place a fresh container of baking soda or coffee grounds inside to absorb odors from the variety of holiday foods,” suggests Mock. Don’t forget the high-touch areas of the fridge, like the outside handles and the water and ice dispensers.
The Oven And Stovetop
The oven and stovetop endure extra cooking sessions during the holiday season, so this is another area that can use a deep clean. “Remove all burners, grates, and oven racks, soaking them in soapy water to loosen grime,” says Mock.
Then, focus on scrubbing the stovetop. She suggests using a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste for any baked-on or stuck-on food or spills. “For the oven, consider a heavy-duty cleaner or the self-cleaning function, but ensure pets and kids are out of the house due to fumes,” she explains.
The Entryway
Take a glance at your entryway after the holidays. Chances are items, possibly returns to stores, shoes, and outerwear have accumulated, along with extra grass, dirt, and dust on the entryway tables and floors. Clear out the items, place items where they belong, clean any furniture in the entryway, and vacuum or sweep the floor. “As this is a heavily trafficked spot during events, the walls, light switches and other high-touch areas can pick up scuffs, smudges, and fingerprints that may stand out once your company leaves,” Picosa explains.
The Bathroom
It may seem obvious that the bathroom would need to be an area of focus for cleaning, but it might be needed even more upon the conclusion of the holiday season. “Guest bathrooms can see heavy use over the holidays, leaving floors, grout, and high-touch surfaces in need of attention,” says Mock. Family members are out of school or home for the holidays, guests are visiting, and bathrooms are being used. Regular cleanings are best with bathrooms, but a thorough cleaning is essential for preventing germs and buildup, especially if they’ve been neglected lately. “Give them a refresh by wiping down surfaces, mopping the floors and laundering the hand towels,” says Picosa.
