Prep Your Home for Holiday Entertaining
These 6 steps to prep your home for holiday entertaining will have you ready for guests and parties in no time. With a little help from our sponsor Scotch-Brite, I’ll show you how to tackle some of those forgotten areas + tips for holiday entertaining.
‘Tis the season for holiday entertaining, and with that comes Fall cleaning and getting the house spruced up for guests and parties. Every year I’m like a pregnant woman nesting and getting things in order for the arrival of a new guest. Spring cleaning is a popular adage but Fall cleaning is just as important if not more so! Your home is about to be on display for football parties, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, and New Years Eve.
Now’s the time I hit up some of the “forgotten” areas as well as take on the basics, in a cleaning routine that works! These 6 steps to prep your home for holiday entertaining will work for you too. You can tackle one task per day if you like, or work it all into a weekend. Whatever fits into your schedule.
6 steps to prep your home for holiday entertaining:
Step 1: ย DUSTING
Okay, I know this is not supposed to be on the “forgotten” list of weekly chores but I have to confess. I usually don’t realize things need dusting until it’s too late or I have company coming over. In the past I have always grabbed an old {clean} wash cloth but it doesn’t do a good job of actually picking up the dust. Ever since I found the Scotch-Brite 3-in-1 microfiber cloth I love using it instead. It actually picks up the dust and can be used wet or dry, and even on glass.
TIP: Once the house is dusted and clean, change out decorative accessories for an updated Fall look. This year I’m going with a black and white paletteย using pillows and throws to updateย our family room.
Step 2: CLEAN THE KITCHEN SINK
This is definitely a forgotten area for me. It seems like my stainless sink gets dirty buildup and spots before I know it. The sink is a real work horse in our kitchen so it needs a good cleaning before I begin my holiday parties so Iย useย Scotch-Brite’s extreme shine padย to make it gleam. I start by using a stainless steel sink cleaning product to clean off the “invisible” grime that builds up. Then I use the buffer to give it a good shine so it’s like new again! This is one of the most rewarding tasks for me, I have to say.
TIP: Now that your sink is clean and shiny, use it as a drink tub to chill the bubbly. This is a terrific alternative when you’re on a budget or you’re having a large party and need the extra space to keep drinks cold.
Step 3: ย CLEAN THE MICROWAVE
Living with a self sufficient husband and two kids takes its toll on the microwave. Even though we have a food cover inside, something always ends up splattering all over the inside. It’s not a huge splatter that you immediately clean up. No, it’s stealthy so you don’t know it’s there until one day you open the door and realize there are tiny bits of dried on particles throughout. It’s time to clean the microwave!
Heat a cup of water inside the microwave for about a minute to 90 seconds to loosen the particles that are stuck on. Then use the Scotch-Brite extreme scrub sponge (soft side) to wipe it down and clean everything out. If you have a tough spot just flip your sponge over to the scrubbing side to rub it off.
TIP: Use the microwave to make last minute desserts in a cup {like my microwave chocolate lava cakes}. This is a great idea for unexpected guests or for a small, casual gathering.
STEP 4: ย CLEAN STAINLESS APPLIANCES
We all love our stainless appliances right! But how about those fingerprints? Not so much. If you’ve ever used a stainless steel appliance cleaner you know how much elbow grease they can take. Ain’t nobody got time for that! I’ve found that using “dusting” wipes on my appliances does a way better job!…without the workout! Look for dusting wipes thatย include “stainless steel” as one of it’s approved surfaces to clean.
TIP: Now is a good time to clean out your refrigerator and freezer to make room for party food. Some of our staples to have on hand for holiday parties are frozen meatballs, frozen puff pastry, chilled champagne and beer, 8 oz. sodas for mixing highballs, and a couple of cheeses.
Step 5: CLEAN, SEAL, & POLISH GRANITE COUNTER TOPS
This is actually something I think about regularly, I guess because I’m wiping down my counters ALL. THE. TIME. Although I clean them on a daily {hourly} basis, this is the time of year I like to seal them and polish them so they’re protected and look like new. Make sure you use a cleaning system that’s made for natural stone or you could end up ruining the beautiful finish. After cleaning them I will use a sealer which protects the porous surface. Then I wait 24-48 hours before I polish them. This way the sealer has time to cure. The polishing really brings the granite back to life and they look like new again.
TIP: For casual entertaining set up the center island or the breakfast bar with all the food and drinks for guests. Not only does it make everyone feel relaxed, it also makes for quicker cleanup since the proximity to the kitchen is, well, in the kitchen!
Step 6: ย FRESH FLOWERS AND SCENTS
Now that everything is clean and ready for any holiday event you’ll have, bring some life into the space with fresh flowers. I love the rich colors of fall flowers like, orange, gold, and deep purple. You know what I don’t like? Fake dyed flowers in weird unnatural colors. Why, oh why do stores sell those? Just stick to nature’s natural palette, please.
Scented candles, diffusers, or room sprays are always a welcoming touch. Even if you don’t add scent anywhere else it’s always a good idea to have it in the powder room.
Tip: Keep scents away from the food area. It can compete with the aroma of the prepared dishes and be unappetizing. When it comes to the buffet or dinner table: flowers good…scented candles bad.
BONUS: Find out how to get your guest room ready for overnight visitorsย including a printable checklist.
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I am a compensated 3M-sponsored blogger. Opinions are my own and additional products used in the project were selected by me.
Good ideas, but felt it was VERY much commercial.
My house is in need of all of this right now!
A clean sink and counter really do make such a difference in how clean a place looks!
I agree, Hil. If that’s not clean and everything else is…it just doesn’t feel complete
Loving all your tips!! The table setting is also gorgeous!! ๐
I’m having company on Thursday and Sunday! Great tips!
Sounds like a fun and busy week ahead, Liz. Enjoy!
All fabulous tips. I can never keep my sink looking really clean. Going give these products a try for sure. Love your living room. Will you come decorate my house ๐
It’s such a task right!
Haha, would love to help decorate ๐
Great tips! Your house definitely looks ready for the holidays!
This is my favorite time of year, Carrie. Can’t wait to entertain!