The holiday season often leaves homes in a state of disarray, with lingering food spills, cluttered spaces, and tired carpets. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or hiring a professional team, homeowners can tackle the mess systematically with guidance from two experienced cleaners. Danielle Moore, founder of A Little Moore Clean, and Vanessa Terra Bossart, founder of GreenTerra Cleaning Service, share four essential tasks to restore order and freshness after the festivities.
Kitchen Deep-Clean: Tackle Appliances and Leftovers
The kitchen, the heart of holiday hosting, typically bears the brunt of the season's activity. Moore recommends addressing the inside of the refrigerator and freezer, stovetop, oven, mixers, microwave, and dishwasher. She advises being proactive: “Tackle those spills and splatters while they're fresh and easy to remove, avoiding the build-up in the future.”
Bossart focuses on the refrigerator and microwave, noting that post-holiday fridges often contain expired leftovers, forgotten condiments, and half-used ingredients. Her method involves removing all contents, discarding anything expired, and then deep-cleaning the appliance. She suggests wiping interior surfaces with warm water and mild dish soap, and for an added boost, mixing a little vinegar into the solution to naturally disinfect.
For the microwave, Bossart offers a steaming hack: fill a microwave-safe bowl with water, add a few slices of fresh lemon, and microwave for three to five minutes until it steams. The steam softens stubborn food particles, and the lemon deodorizes the space. After removing the bowl, a damp cloth wipes away the residue, leaving the microwave spotless and citrus-fresh.
Sorting Holiday Decor: A Three-Bin Strategy
As decorations come down, Bossart advises being thoughtful about what to keep. “After the holidays, decorations, wrapping paper, and leftover party supplies can quickly pile up, creating visual and mental clutter,” she explains. Her strategy involves filling bins into three categories: items to keep and display next year, items to donate or recycle, and items related to hosting and gift wrap storage. Labeling each bin clearly with descriptions ensures easy retrieval next season.
Decluttering: The 'Perfect Place' Rule
The post-holiday period is an ideal time to evaluate your space and part ways with clutter. Moore notes that receiving gifts and accumulating items during the holidays can make it challenging to find room for new belongings. Her rule of thumb: “If it doesn't have a perfect place, it must be removed from my space.” This principle helps homeowners decide what to keep, ensuring every item has a designated spot.
Carpet Care: Professional or DIY
Carpets often harbor the remnants of holiday gatherings, including bacteria, stains, food, and pet hair. Moore emphasizes that her house doesn't feel clean until carpets are deep cleaned, deodorized, and protected, making professional cleaning a worthwhile investment for many. For those preferring a DIY approach, Bossart suggests sprinkling baking soda over the carpet, letting it sit for at least 20 minutes to absorb odors and loosen dirt, then vacuuming thoroughly.
By following these expert tips, homeowners can efficiently reset their living spaces, making the transition from holiday chaos to everyday calm more manageable.
