The kitchen is the heart of the home, which makes it the perfect place to start your mission. You'll enjoy cooking Christmas treats much more when you use a shiny, sparkling stove. First, use your oven's self-cleaning feature to remove any burnt-on messes. Wipe out the ashes with a damp towel. Alternatively, you can use a vinegar and baking soda mixture. Leave a thick paste of this mixture on the oven surface for several hours to loosen debris. Wipe it away with a damp towel. You can use the same method to clean your stovetop, as well.
Today, you're going to clean all the yucky leftovers out of your fridge. First, throw out disposable containers and old food items. Next, fill the sink with warm, soapy water. Remove storage containers and dispose of their contents. Then place the containers in the soapy water to soak while you wipe down the refrigerator shelves. Make sure you hit all the crevices and drawers. If your shelves get sticky, use a shelf liner or placemat on each shelf for easy wipe-downs later. Finally, place a new box of baking soda in the fridge to soak up residual odors.
You'll likely have lots of guests over the holiday season, so now is the best time to clean out your coat closets. Remove anything that doesn't belong and donate unused coats to a local shelter. If your coats or jackets smell musty from storage, this is the perfect time to have them dry cleaned for this winter season.
You can perform this task quickly with a couple of tips:
1. Place an old, white sock on your hand and dampen with cleaner or plain water. Use this hand to wipe down ceiling fan blades quickly. If your fans are very dusty, you can use a pillowcase instead. Wrap the pillow case around the blade, then wipe away dust so it's contained within the pillowcase.
2. A sticky lint roller quickly removes dust from fabric lamp shades. A barely damp washcloth also works well for this task.
Remove everything from your countertops. Stow any small appliances under the cabinets if you only use them occasionally. Put away other items that don't belong on the countertops. Wipe the entire counter surface with an all-purpose cleaner and a towel or sponge.
Place only your most-used kitchen items back on the counter. The goal is to keep the counter as clear as possible. This gives you more space for meal prep, and it also makes your kitchen feel brighter and more organized.
If your home smells musty, freshen it up with dryer sheets. Just place one or two of your favorite scent at the bottom of each trash can. The sheets help keep the musty smell of garbage away.
For today's task, simply launder all the sheets and towels. Use a good fabric softener or dryer sheet to make them smell fresh for days to come. You can use a little linen spray when you place them back on the beds. You'll love the smell of fresh linens, and your guests will too.
You can use any basic cleaner (even plain water) to wipe down your baseboards and windowsills. If it's been a while since you last dusted, it might be best to use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to loosen excess dust. After you vacuum, wipe the surface with a towel to remove stains or stubborn dirt.
On the ninth day, wipe down your faucets and other plumbing fixtures with a bit of window cleaner. This simple solution makes metal look shiny and clean. If you have hard water buildup on fixtures, use a little white vinegar to loosen and remove the stains.
It's time to prep your clothes for holiday parties! Use a little shoeshine to make your shoes look brand new. Afterwards, you can press your party clothes so suits and dresses look crisp and fresh for Christmas events. Hang them on hooks (not in the closet) to keep them wrinkle-free.
Now that you've taken care of all the other tasks, it's time to finish up your list by vacuuming your home. Make sure you hit all the nooks and crannies, including stairs and corners. Finish up the task by running the hose attachment over upholstery such as sofas and chairs.
The last day is the day of rest, so it's time to relax and admire all your hard work. Prop your feet up and watch a Christmas movie with the family; after all, you earned it!