How to enjoy a stress-free festive period with a clean home
The festive period is a time for relaxation and celebration. But with homes across the country bracing themselves ahead of facing the busiest month of the year, it’s vital that cleanliness is kept under control. Along with regular cleaning routines, there are certain areas of the home that may need some additional attention in order to prepare for higher volumes of people moving in and out of certain spaces. Here, Chris Wootton, Managing Director of the domestic cleaning company, Poppies, provides his top tips on how to keep your home clean so you can enjoy a stress-free festive period.
Have a clear out
A clear out always goes a long way, especially over the festive period when homes will inevitably become cluttered with treats and gifts. A thorough clear out can provide much-needed space for your Christmas tree, presents and guests. It also helps you enter the New Year clutter-free. Consider the 'Have I used this within the last six months?' rule. You'll be surprised how much extra room you’ll be afforded. And since it’s a time for giving, why not donate material goods to local charities and organisations that would benefit?
Dust and cobwebs
Getting the Christmas decorations out of the loft, while an enjoyable ritual for all, can also be a dusty affair! Ensuring you have gone through the whole house with a fine-tooth comb by ventilating rooms and removing any cobwebs or dust build-ups will help keep your home dust free throughout the festive season. Meanwhile, dust and disinfect shelves, chairs and furnishings to remove any deeper-set stains, and take other ornaments out of the equation so your festive decorations can shine!
Sanitise counter tops and kitchen surfaces
Your counter tops will be in constant use over the festive period, so maintaining hygiene is vital. Wipe surfaces regularly, both before and after preparing food as uncooked meats can leave germs and bacteria behind. A natural acidic solution such as lemon juice or diluted white vinegar not only disinfects surfaces, but they also deodorise and are food safe. Giving your kitchen tops regular care over the festive period helps reduce the risk of lingering smells and unwanted bacteria spreading near fresh food products.
Clean the bathroom
Your bathroom will more than likely be used more frequently over the festive season. Cleaning bathrooms should be approached with care and it’s important to note what chemicals work when cleaning. All-purpose bathroom cleaner should work well for all shower-related cleaning, including shower tiles, the shower head and fittings – there’s no need to overspend. Start by spraying all surfaces at the same time and then go back to where you started to focus on smaller areas when wiping them. If there is limescale, ensure it is cleaned with an acidic solution as it is alkaline – this can also be done using lemon juice or the same white vinegar solution you used to clean the kitchen. You may need to use the rougher side of a non-scratch scouring pad and some elbow grease. For the shower panes, the all-purpose cleaner should also work, but hard water stains can also be lifted and deodorised by using lemons. To clean the drain, pour a quarter of a cup of bicarbonate of soda down the drain followed by a quarter pint of white vinegar. Let the solution bubble for 10 minutes, then pour boiling hot water down the drain to shift the grease and any lingering debris.
Chris summarises, “The festive period is a time for everyone to put their feet up. These pro tips will not only help you maintain your home over Christmas, but they’ll also help you come to relax faster! Approaching the ‘Christmas clean’ methodically and with natural cleaning solutions will not only help you save money but will leave the ‘busier’ parts of your home gleaming for longer. But don’t panic… decorations can hide a multitude of cleaning jobs, so save your energies so you’re prepared to do the new year deep clean after Christmas! As long as you’re prioritising the kitchen and the bathroom, everything else can be dealt with accordingly. Alternatively, there is always professional help, and Poppies cleaners are well-equipped to prepare your home for the Christmas season, so you won’t need to worry about it!”
For more information or to find a Poppies cleaner in your area, visit https://poppies.co.uk/
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