Use Our Holiday Cleaning Checklist to Prepare for a Season of Entertaining

From planning a delicious menu to making your space feel festive, holiday hosting can be a lot of work. But one of the most important aspects of preparing for the entertaining season is cleaning your home. While this doesn't mean you need to spend hours deep cleaning, it's important to tidy areas where you know guests will gather, like the living room and kitchen. It will also help you take inventory of what necessities you need to stock up on, be it bathroom essentials or entertaining must-haves. To help you stay on track, this holiday cleaning checklist will ensure you tackle every room in your home before guests arrive.

Cleaning Checklist for the Entryway

Your entryway sets the tone for the rest of your home, so you’ll want to spend time tidying it before guests arrive. As a small space, your entryway can feel even more compact with just the slightest bit of mess, which is why it’s important to keep it as empty as possible, says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids.

• Clean the floor
• Vacuum and lay down a welcome rug
• Store shoes and coats in a nearby closet
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces, like door knobs

Cleaning Checklist for the Living Room

The living room is commonly used as a main entertaining area during the holiday season. Give the space a quick clean in order to make it feel warm and welcoming for guests. 

• Clean the ceiling fan
• Lint roll couches and chairs
• Wash and organize blankets
• Wash and fluff throw pillows
• Dust all surfaces
• Wipe down the TV 
• Clean windows
• Sweep or vacuum and mop the floor
• Spot treat stains on rugs 

Cleaning Checklist for the Dining Room

Like the living room, the dining room is another main focal point of hosting, says Cohoon. “No one wants to serve a meal in a messy room,” she says. Along with cleaning, it’s important to ensure all of your dinnerware is ready for serving. 

• Sweep or vacuum and mop the floor
• Clean table and chairs 
• Clean windows 
• Wipe down all surfaces 
• Clean linen napkins and tablecloth

Cleaning Checklist for the Kitchen

It's not just important to clean the kitchen for guests but to help keep you organized while you do all of your holiday cooking. The kitchen can be the heart of the home, especially around the holidays, so it needs to be cleaned and sanitized, says Cohoon.

• Sweep and mop the floor
• Clean out the refrigerator
• Clean the countertops
• Clean oven
• Polish silverware 
• Clean serveware and drinkware
• Clean dish towels
• Wipe down appliances

Cleaning Checklist for the Bathroom

Your bathroom will be one of the most used areas of your home during the holidays, so you’ll want to make sure it’s ready for an influx of guests. “Keeping bathrooms clean and disinfected helps prevent the spread of germs that cause illness,” says Mary Gagliardi, in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox. “The holiday season overlaps with cold and flu season, making this extra important when visitors arrive.”

• Sweep or vacuum and mop the floor
• Put out clean hand towels 
• Clean the toilet
• Clean the sink and faucet 
• Clean the shower or bathtub
• Clean mirrors
• Restock important supplies, like toilet paper and hand soap

Cleaning Checklist for the Guest Room

Have visitors spending the night during the holiday season? Give your spare room a thorough clean and stock it with the essentials. "A clean guest room will make guests feel more welcome and comfortable," says Cohoon.

• Sweep or vacuum and mop the floor
• Clean the ceiling fan
• Clean windows
• Clean mirrors
• Wash all bedding
• Fluff pillows

Cleaning Checklist for Closets

Don't overlook your closets when preparing for the holidays—this is where guests will store their jackets, shoes, and even some personal belongings. As tempting as it is to clean a room by stuffing everything in the closet, avoid doing this if you can, as guests do use closets, says Gagliardi.

• Sweep or vacuum the floor
• Clear space by donating unused items
• Provide empty hangers for guests
• Dust shelves

Cleaning Checklist for Outside

One of the first things guests will notice when arriving to your home is the exterior. Boost curb appeal by tackling some essential seasonal chores.

• Clear leaves and debris
• Sweep away cobwebs
• Stock up on firewood if you're planning to have a fire
• Check lights and replace any that are burned out
• Clean patio furniture (if you left it out for the season)