The Pre-Thanksgiving Cleaning Guide for Valley Hosts

Thanksgiving is days away. You have a finite amount of time and energy. You don't need to deep clean the entire house. You need to focus on the rooms your guests will actually spend time in and the details they'll actually notice. Here's the targeted approach.

The kitchen (where everyone ends up)

No matter how nice your living room is, everyone congregates in the kitchen. It needs to be clean and functional, not magazine-perfect.

• Clear and sanitize all counter space. You'll need it for cooking.
• Clean the oven if you're roasting a turkey (smoke from old spills is not a flavor enhancement)
• Clean the stovetop and range hood
• Wipe cabinet handles and the refrigerator handle
• Mop the floor, including under the table where people will be sitting
• Empty the dishwasher and have it ready for the post-meal rush

The guest bathroom

This is the room where impressions are formed. Fifteen minutes of focused attention here goes further than an hour anywhere else.

• Scrub the toilet inside and out, including the base
• Clean the mirror (guests look in the mirror a lot)
• Wipe the counter and faucet
• Put out fresh hand towels and a full soap dispenser
• Take out the trash and put in a fresh liner

The dining area

• Dust the light fixture above the table (guests look up)
• Wipe the table and chairs, including the chair backs and legs
• Vacuum or mop the floor under and around the table
• If using a tablecloth, press it or at least pull it tight

The entryway

First impression, last impression.

• Sweep or vacuum the entry area
• Wipe the front door and handle
• Put out a clean welcome mat
• Clear the coat area so guests have somewhere to put things

Skip these

Unless guests are sleeping over, skip the bedrooms. Skip the office. Skip the garage. Your time and energy have limits, and nobody notices a clean office on Thanksgiving.

If the list is more than you can tackle this week, we can help. Our teams can do a targeted pre-holiday clean in a single visit. Request a quote and let us know your Thanksgiving timeline.