Make Your Home Look Sparkling for the Holidays—Even If You Haven't Deep-Cleaned in Months

For many of us, the most wonderful time of the year is likely also the busiest time of the year. Between going to parties, shopping, and cooking, it’s hard to find time to keep things clean and tidy. Then you realize you’re having family or guests over in a few days and you just don’t know what to do. Still, even if you haven’t deep-cleaned in months, it's completely possible to make your home look sparkling for the holidays. You just need a couple hours, some stamina, and a little bit of elbow grease. Follow these steps to get holiday-ready in record time.

Step 1: Do a Surface Declutter

Siobhan Alvarez, lifestyle and DIY Expert and founder of She Shines Media, recommends starting with a surface declutter. “Take a look at your counters, and put away any items you don't use on an everyday basis. I can usually find a little extra space in my cabinets for this. Not only does this create more area for decorating, but also makes it much easier to quickly clean.”

Step 2: Clean Out the Sink

Dishes in the sink are a dead giveaway that your home isn’t as clean as it should be.  Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space, suggests putting them away next before doing anything else. Take a few minutes to pop dirty dishes in the dishwasher if you have one, or get to work on hand-washing any dishes that have piled up.

Step 3: Neaten Up the Little Things

To make things look cleaner, tackle all those little piles and messes that quickly add up. “Make sure to gather any mail or papers and put those in a bin to go through later. Toys, sports stuff, and art supplies can all be put in a plastic bin and gone through later. One of my favorite tricks with books is to stack them up so they look neater and not in a pile,” Duckworth says.

Step 4: Make Use of Baskets and Bins

Having baskets and bins on hand at all times can make decluttering fast and easy. Opt for decorative ones you can integrate into your design scheme as well as those big plastic ones for the garage and slim ones for sliding under the bed. “I love having pretty baskets around for shoes and extra clothes, so everything has a place to go,” Duckworth explains. “Having a place for everything will make the space feel more open, cleaner, and won't exhaust you before company comes; remember, you can always use big plastic bins to store excess stuff and store it in a bedroom or playroom to go through after the holidays.” 

Step 5: Do a Quick Clean

While you might not have time to dust every surface and shine every mirror—you probably have enough time for a light cleaning. “Don't forget to do simple things to make the space sparkle like sweep the floors, wash the floors, wash the counters, and clean your windows,” says Duckworth.

Step 6: Prepare Your Bathroom

Everyone will need to use the bathroom, so make sure this room is extra clean. Scrub the toilet, spray some cleaner in the sink and on the mirrors, then wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Empty the garbage pail. Then put out fresh towels so your guests can dry their hands. Make sure there’s a new roll of toilet paper so there's no risk of running out.

Step 7: Aim for Comfort

Guests are less likely to notice messes if the home is comfortable. “Fluff those pillows, fold and stack any blankets, and make sure your guests have a comfy place to sit,” suggests Duckworth.

Step 8: Make Your House Smell Good

Finally, make your home smell its best. Alvarez likes using a Christmas simmer pot. However, it’s much faster and easier to burn a holiday candle, such as Winter Fir from L’Avant Collective. A lovely smell will give the impression that your home is cozy and sparkling clean.