7 Things Pro Cleaners Always Clean Before the Holidays and You Should Too 

  The Spruce | Home Design Ideas and How TosRead More

Hosting this holiday season? Then you’re likely facing the dilemma of holiday cleaning too. Knowing what to clean before Thanksgiving or Christmas rolls around can be a bit overwhelming—after all, you have a limited amount of time with plenty of other festive prep that needs to be happening, too.

We spoke with cleaning pros to learn what they always clean before the holidays to get tips to make hosting this holiday season a little easier. Here’s what you should focus on.

Meet the Experts

• Marla Mock is the president of Molly Maid USA.
• Alicia Sokolowski is the president and co-CEO at AspenClean.

The Pantry

Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid USA, recommends sticking to a cleaning schedule before the holidays so that you aren’t overwhelmed with everything to do, all at once.

The first thing on that schedule? Purging your food cabinets three weeks before the holiday, according to Mock. But it’s a good rule of thumb to clean and reorganize more than just the food.

“Get out any special holiday dishes and give them a good cleaning, especially if they’ve been stored away.”

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The Fridge

Continuing on the theme of decluttering your food, don’t forget to clean out your fridge before the holidays too.

“Deep cleaning and organizing your fridge ensure you have enough space for all the festive dishes while keeping them safe and fresh for you and your family,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO at AspenClean.

Start by taking everything out and tossing expired or soon-to-be expired food. While the fridge is empty, wipe it out with a washcloth and some all-purpose cleaner.

Get rid of stuck-on stains by spraying them with cleaner, letting them soak for five minutes, then wipe them away. Once your refrigerator is clean and dry, put everything back.

The Oven

Mock recommends an oven clean about two weeks before Christmas. This frequently forgotten kitchen chore makes the inside of your oven sparkling clean again, and it ensures your home is filled with any burnt (or chemical cleaner) smells come Christmas morning.

To clean your oven in time for the holidays, pull out the oven racks, and give them a good scrubbing in the kitchen sink, Mock says. She also recommends cleaning the stovetop and oven inside and out—and don’t forget the oven door!

The Guest Bathroom

Any bathrooms guests will be using need a deep clean before the holiday season sets in. While you can ignore a major cleaning of the primary bathroom (for now, at least), take the afternoon to thoroughly clean that hallway half-bath.

Clean out sinks, toilets, and showers, and don’t forget to wipe down cabinet fronts, dust behind toilets, and mop the floors.

For the finishing touch on your powder room, add in a little scented seasonal sachet or holiday candle. Sokolowski also recommends restocking toiletries so you won’t run out of any essentials when least expected.

The Guest Bedroom

Expecting overnight guests? Take a few hours to tidy up that rarely used guest bedroom. Take off existing bedding, wash it, and replace it with clean sheets, pillows, and blankets.

Take anything out of the room that doesn’t belong, like sports equipment or home office supplies.

“Don’t forget to vacuum under the bed as well,” says Sokolowski.

The Living Room

The living room is the home of so many holiday celebrations, so make sure it’s sparkling before the festive season kicks into action. Sokolowski suggests starting by dusting all the surfaces. Then, move on to cleaning any windows, and don’t forget to give the sofa a good vacuum and re-fluff.

For a finishing touch, “If you have a carpet in the living room, consider shampooing your carpet or getting it cleaned professionally,” adds Sokolowski.

The Countertops and Surfaces

Right before the holiday, Mock recommends clearing any clutter from your kitchen counters along with the surfaces in the rest of your home.

But now’s not really the time to finally declutter the garage—save that cleaning for the New Year! Instead, focus on tidying up spaces where guests will be, rather than rarely touched storage spaces.