With friends and family coming to visit throughout the festive season, it's your time to shine and show off what a lovely home you have.
One of the keys to a stress-free Christmas is preparation, so we've gathered our top 7 ways to get your home sparkling clean this Christmas, leaving you time to relax with your loved ones.
1. Treat your carpets
It can be all too easy to take your carpets for granted, but it's worth remembering that they deal with an awful amount of footfall right from the moment they're installed.
No matter how hard you clean your carpets, some dirt and dust will still linger. That's why it's worth investing in or hiring an industrial carpet cleaner to get your carpets looking brand new. Professional carpet cleaners normally come with a cleaning agent so that the material is shampooed while the dust is being sucked up.
2. Clean All Surfaces
Your counter tops will be in constant use over Christmas so ensure you make time to give them a good clean both before the big day and while you're cooking. It's vital to wipe surfaces after preparing your Christmas food as uncooked meats can leave germs and bacteria behind.
It's also worth giving your shelves, chairs and furnishings a once-over to remove any stains or build-up of dust. The same goes for your dining table. A good polish can go a long way.
3. Organise a professional oven clean
In preparation for the gastronomic delights that are going to be created in your kitchen this Christmas, it's worth hiring a professional to come and give your oven a thorough clean. That way you can focus on the sumptuous snacks you're going to serve your guests rather than going into battle against the grime and grease that have built up over the year.
4. Have a clear out
It may not be the traditional time to have a clear-out but a thorough clean-up can provide much-needed space for your Christmas tree, presents and guests. It also lets you enter the New Year clutter-free.
Think to yourself, 'Have I used this within the last six months?' If not, consider throwing it out or donating it to charity. You'll be surprised how much extra room a quick clean-out can give you.
5. Polish the silver
We've all got that nice set of cutlery or dining set that only makes an appearance on special occasions. Now is their time to shine – literally. Set the time aside to clean and polish your lovely kitchenware and make your Christmas meal even more memorable.
While you're on a cleaning spree, don't forget to give your reflective surfaces and decorations, like mirrors and candlesticks, a good polish too.
6. Get your glad rags ready
You've no doubt organised your presents, guest list and Christmas meal already, but make sure you leave time to think about what you are going to wear on the big day.
Your home shouldn't be the only one dazzling your guests this Christmas. Plan your outfits for the festive period and make sure that they are spick and span and ready to show you off. If there's enough time beforehand, you could always get your party attire dry-cleaned to give you a picture-perfect outfit.
7. Clean your decorations
Christmas decorations spend most of their time hidden away in cupboards or dusty attics waiting for their five minutes of fame. But there's no point getting your home spick and span for the festive season and then hanging up dirty and dusty decorations. Put aside some time to give them a good clean before hanging them up and they'll soon look as good as new.
When going through your Christmas decorations, make sure that everything still works. Fairy lights, for example, have a certain shelf life and if one bulb goes the whole set sometimes won't work. Test them before you decorate your tree to see if you need to invest in a new set.
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Olivia Heath is the Daily Editor at House Beautiful. Heading up all things digital, Olivia loves nothing more than uncovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and revealing the best tips and tricks to help you decorate your home like an interior designer. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less (while compiling her very own, and rather lengthy, homeware lust list) and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn't love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.
Prior to making the switch to interiors on House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal magazine, where she reported on celebrity and entertainment news by day, and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night! Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ qualification, as well as a BA in Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies.
