Holiday Cleaning Checklist
Inside your house:
- Walls
- Remove or mitigate scuff marks and scratches by wiping them down.
- Windows
- Consider using a glass cleaner or water repellant to help protect against water spots.
- Floors
- Vacuum and mop.
- Kitchen countertops, stovetops, appliances
- This includes the refrigerator, freezer, oven, and other appliances as needed. Check for leaks.
- Furniture
- Wipe down with a microfiber duster or damp rag. Additionally, vacuum upholstery and spot-clean stains.
- Chimney
- Conduct a chimney sweep or hire an outside company to perform one.
- Dining room and/or eating area
- Clean silverware, wash dishes, and wipe down tables.
- Bathrooms
- This includes the toilet, shower, tub, mirror, and sink. Check for leaks.
- Bedrooms
- Make beds, vacuum floors, dust and wipe down dressers and other belongings as necessary.
Outside your house:
- Windows
- Consider using a strong glass cleaner for the outside surface of windows.
- Garage
- Put tools away, including lawnmowers, rakes, shovels, and more.
- Driveway
- Shovel and salt the driveway when snow falls.
Specialty cleaning services include:
- Air duct and HVAC cleaning
- Odor removal
- Vandalism and graffiti cleanup
- COVID-19 cleaning
- Biohazard cleaning
- Document restoration
- Preparation . Drapes are pinned or clamped, and furniture is moved, so these items don’t touch the wet carpet.
- Staging . Protective floor coverings are laid, so equipment and products can be brought in and staged.
- Pre-treatment and spot removal . Areas with high traffic (or places that might be highly soiled) will receive a pre-treatment and some agitation prior to the actual cleaning method being implemented.
- Cleaning . Depending on the situation and level of soiling, the selected method of cleaning is implemented. Air movers are placed to help expedite the drying process.
- Soil protection . Technicians will apply protectants to the area to prevent future soiling from embedding into the rug or carpet.
- Wrap-up . In the final step, blocks or furniture pads are placed under furniture legs to help prevent stains and encourage airflow while drying occurs. Additionally, equipment, products, and other tools are returned to work vehicles. Technicians will also place courtesy mats or traffic lane paper to assist with drying and help lessen the chance of trips and falls.
For more information about the cleaning and restoration industry, review our FAQ and Glossary .
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/home/holiday-break-house-cleaning-checklist/