Welcome back to Memphis Maids! We’re back with another article: Deep cleaning your home after Thanksgiving!
First of all, we hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving. This is a very special time of the year and spending quality time with your family is important and truly a joy.
The only downside is the mess you have at home now and there’s a lot of house cleaning to do. But now there’s no need to panic! At Memphis Maids, we got you covered!
With a strategic approach, you will finish deep cleaning your home in no time. Of course, if you want to save time and energy, you can book our Memphis house cleaning service.
We understand you might want to do this on your own, especially if you’re a follower of our cleaning blog. In that case, there’s no time to waste! Let’s get into it.
How to Clean Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving
We know that the heart of Thanksgiving is the kitchen. And there’s so much that needs to be done!
Here’s how you can clean your kitchen quickly: start with the dishes, always. You will already feel your kitchen is cleaner once they’re in the dishwasher or soaking in hot, soapy water.
Next, you should clean your countertops, especially if you spent a lot of time with your Thanksgiving meals. Use a degreaser to help you remove grease and grime from your countertops.
This might be a great time to deep clean your fridge as well. If you do it now, you can forget about cleaning it again until next year! All you have to do is organize your leftovers, discard any expired items and wash your drawers and shelves.
To clean them quicker, you can put them under running water and just wipe them with a non-scratch scrubber and one drop of dish soap. To remove odor, spritz some white vinegar, scrub and then rinse with water.
For your sink, you can try oxalic acid (Bar Keepers’ Friend) for example, especially the powder version. If you don’t have that product at home, you can try baking soda instead. Just mix with water until you form a paste and spread it around you sink. Then, spritz with a vinegar and water mix to remove any water spots and rinse with water.
Save your floors for last! Sweep them with a broom and vacuum underneath your kitchen cabinets.
Related: How to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances Without Damaging Them
Revitalize Your Living Room
Next, we have your living room. After Thanksgiving, it is usually a bit messy and some items might be out of place. You might also have some décor such as centerpieces.
Here’s a pro tip: if you’re only decluttering and organizing, set a 25-minute timer. This way, you won’t waste unnecessary time and you can focus on cleaning.
You can use a lint roller to clean your sofa and other pieces of furniture. If you find any particularly stubborn stains, create a 1:1 white vinegar and water mix. Damp a microfiber cloth and gently blot the stain.
Always test first in a small, hidden area. For sensitive fabrics such as leather, check the care tag first as they might need specialized cleaners.
Next on Your Post-Thanksgiving Cleaning: Your Bathroom
We know the bathroom is a dreaded area for many people, especially after Thanksgiving. Start by cleaning any leftover items from your countertops and other surfaces.
The trick here is to save time and energy by letting cleaning products act on the surface. For example, pour some toilet cleaner and let it act on the surface for 15 minutes and, in the meantime, wash your sink and your shower.
Spray an all-purpose cleaner to your sink countertops and basin. For your shower, you can spritz borax on your shower floors and walls and pour a bit of soapy water. Pro tip: once you’re done with your shower glass, apply a water repellent.
Clean the mirrors with a streak-free glass cleaner. If you don’t have a commercial cleaner, you can mix 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water and pour into a spray bottle. Add one drop of dish soap if your mirror is extra dirty.
Final Step: Your Bedroom
Starting the week with a clean bedroom is a fantastic motivator!
Here’s what you can do:
Begin by making your bed and put away any items that are out of place. Take the time to vacuum the bed frame inside out. Rotate and flip your mattress, if you haven’t done so in a while, to increase its lifespan.
Then, dust and vacuum your nightstands, dressers and shelves. If you have 10 – 15 extra minutes, remember to declutter your closets, vacuum and open up your closet inside out to increase airflow. We know Memphis is not exactly warm these days, but make sure you open a window for at least 30 minutes.
Take your bedding out to do some laundry as well. Pro tip: add one cup of vinegar during the last rinse cycle instead of laundry softener. Your bedding will come out odor free and feeling nice and soft.
Related: Decluttering Tips to Start the New Year
Conclusion
That’s it! We hope this article helps you deep clean your home after Thanksgiving.
Don’t think it too hard, start the week with the right foot and a clean, tidy home. And, as always, if you don’t have the time or energy, remember to check out Memphis Maids house cleaning service. A deep cleaning service will come in handy just before the holidays!
Our final tip: while you clean, take a moment to reflect on your Thanksgiving blessings. Gratitude is important, let’s share with our family how blessed we are and how to do good for others. When decluttering any of your areas, consider donating items you no longer need.
We will be back very soon with more cleaning tips. Stay tuned!