House cleaning tips for the holidays
Whether you’re picking up pine needles on the carpet, Thanksgiving pots and pans on the countertop, or candle wax dripping onto the table, there are tips on how to tackle much-needed house cleaning, especially once the Uncle Theodore has proclaimed his bathroom as his new library. Of course, there are additional concerns during this season, such as that the Christmas tree is already dropping needles. In Midwestern climate cities like Tulsa, Oklahoma or Peoria, Illinois, experts suggest taking care of tasks like turning mattresses and washing bedding, including duvets and blankets. Homeowners will also find more cobwebs in their homes in the winter, because spiders are coming to escape the cold. A good house cleaning will deter these winter visitors from setting up camp.
One of the areas of the home that suffers during the Christmas season is the kitchen. It is punishable by endless traffic because in today’s society, this is where most guests gather to socialize while you cook Thanksgiving turkey or festive ham. Whether it’s turkey or Hanukah latkes, it also means splashing in the kitchen. For grease splashes on wooden cabinets, use baby or bath oil. Wipe it off and the grease will literally wash off. Gives a great shine to cabinets. Stainless steel stain appliances can also be cleaned with a little baby oil to keep them new and fresh. For surfaces like the painted wall behind the stove or things like that, you can use trisodium phosphate, available at any hardware store. Just mix it according to the instructions. It is a great fat cutter. Also, try undiluted dish soap on a damp cloth. Wash the area and then rinse well.
So, you’ve gone to the forest to cut down a real Christmas tree and now it’s throwing needles everywhere. For easy pickup, put a plastic tablecloth under the base when you take it home. This will help trap the needles and also prevent water from getting into the carpet when you water the tree. Then cover it with your favorite tree skirt. To remove the leak needles, use your vacuum cleaner hose to pull them out of the carpet, because that’s what pulls the dust and needles out of the carpet so you can reach them. When you are watering your tree, remember to use a turkey syringe; prevents you from pouring water everywhere. Use an ounce or two of antibacterial mouthwash in the water every time you water to prevent mold. After the holidays, you can simply lift the tablecloth to cover the tree and take it outside.
Another big obstacle in cleaning the house during the holidays is the bathroom because it receives a lot of traffic. It’s best to use a disposable cleaning brush if possible. This is a great tool for getting rid of hard water stains along with the usual black toilet mess that builds up on the rim of the bowl. You can also use any of the other bathroom cleaners to clean the shower and sink.
Lastly, remember to also use vacuum cleaners with a special filtering system that captures airborne dust, bacteria, pet dander, pollutants, and allergens. This addresses not only allergies but also bouts of the flu. At any time of the year, there are additional concerns when it comes to keeping your home clean. Often times, many homeowners end up using a professional house cleaning service to avoid added stress and extra work hours. Save those hours for more sleep than you will need!