With the holidays only a few weeks away, everyone seems to have an ever-increasing to-do list of holiday related tasks. One of those tasks is preparing your home for any prospective guests. If you have loved ones stopping by for Christmas, you’re probably scouring your brain for ways you can keep your guests comfortable and happy. The last thing you want is to spend the holidays listening to complaints about small inconveniences that could have easily been avoided. To help you out, the pros at Acree have prepared a quick guide to keeping your guests comfortable, so you can have the festive and relaxing break you deserve!
1. Clean Up
This is an obvious tip, but thoroughly cleaning your home can make a big difference. Here are some deep cleaning tips you should know about:
- Dust All the Corners
Make sure you dust light fixtures, the tops of furniture and any reachable ceiling fans. Dust and dirt can accumulate over time causing allergies which won’t lead to a very happy holiday.
- Space It Out
Instead of dedicating one day to deep cleaning your entire house, space it out over the span of days or weeks. This way you will be more efficient, and you won’t be totally exhausted by the time your guests arrive.
- Clear Out Drains
Even if your sink or bathtub drains aren’t clogged, make sure they are completely clean and free of hair and soap scum. If they aren’t clogged up now, they will be after guests use them frequently. Use baking soda and vinegar to create the perfect cleaning and unclogging solution!
- Vacuum Then Mop
Make sure you do a thorough vacuum of your home—get the area behind your fridge, sofa, couches and any movable furniture. Follow it up with a mop to further get rid of any dust.
2. Have Extra Blankets
For the nights you’re all gathering in your living room to watch a movie with some delicious hot cocoa, make sure you have extra blankets. Winter holidays are all about staying warm and cozy! You can easily purchase plush blankets from various retailers near you.
3. Get Rid of Odors
No matter how big, clean or well decorated your home is, if it smells bad it’s game over. Make sure you always have ways to keep your house odor- free. Use scented candles and fragrance sticks in your living room, leave air fresheners in your bathroom and have some fresh flowers ready in your guest rooms. You can also use dryer sheets in places such as your linen closet, so your towels and bedsheets come out smelling fresh!
Pro tip: If your kitchen has an odor, it might be because of a dirty garbage disposal. Make sure you clean it out then place lemon rings in the disposal and run water. This tip can remove the smell and imbue the kitchen with a pleasant lemon scent.
4. Do Any Plumbing and HVAC Maintenance
Long before your guests arrive, make sure you take care of any plumbing or HVAC problems you might have. Change your air filter, clean up the vents and registers around your home and unclog any drains and repair any leaks. The last thing you want is your plumbing or HVAC system breaking down in the middle of the holidays! For expert maintenance, get in touch with a reliable plumber or HVAC technician.
If you need more tips on how you can keep your guests comfortable for the holidays, call the pros at Acree at (813) 530-9061 or schedule a service online!
