The week after Thanksgiving can feel a little chaotic – leftovers fill the fridge, and the house feels claustrophobic after hosting. It's the perfect time for a gentle reset before the next wave of festivities hits.
This is the post-Thanksgiving cleaning checklist and cleaning tips you need to restore order in the week following the holiday.
Post-Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist
1. Prepare in Advance
Prep your supplies ahead of time to make cleaning simpler.
Your post-Thanksgiving cleaning begins as part of preparing for Thanksgiving. Thinking ahead puts you in good standing with all the essential cleaning supplies you will need for a smooth reset after everyone has gone home.
Steve Evans, cleaning expert and owner of Memphis Maids, recommends organizing cleaning supplies and setting up a cleaning caddy from Walmart to keep all your essentials in one portable, accessible place.
This may include 'fresh microfiber cloths (such as the bestselling MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths available at Walmart), sponges, alongside a broom and a vacuum cleaner, and/or a mop (depending on the type of floors),' he says.
Besides your non-toxic cleaning supplies, it helps to plan your festivities around home maintenance:
- Clean in advance: Although deep cleaning your home before the mess might seem counterintuitive, starting on key spots such as cleaning a living room and cleaning bathrooms means you have less to worry about closer to Thanksgiving itself, leaving the kitchen for after hosting.
- Plan meals that minimize clean up: If you only have a small dishwasher or do not want to end up washing everything by hand, then it can be prudent to pick dishes that use limited dishware when cooking and serving. Think about roasts that can all go on one tray, for instance, or pick serving dishes that can hold multiple categories of food in one go. We recommend the GoodCook 11” x 17” Non-Stick Divided Sheet Pan available at Amazon for this, or individual tray dividers, such as the Nonstick Bakeware Set available at Amazon, for cooking foods with differing oven times with ease.
- Clean as you go: Tanu Grewal, chief cleaning officer at Pinalen, Cloralen, and Ensueno Laundry, says, 'While this may sound simple, it can be a huge mindset shift for many people. If you see a shoe in the hallway, pick it up. If you see some Turkey grease on the table, take 30 seconds to wipe it down.'
Finding these little moments to clean as you go will prevent a long, time-consuming tidy up, and make the whole process a lot less daunting.
2. Clean in Zones
Breaking your home down into zones can spread the load and reduce fatigue.
First, Abe Nyayapathi, manager at cleaning company, Bio Recovery, advises, 'Divide your home into specific cleanup zones to streamline the process. Focus on the dining area, kitchen, and living spaces first, as these are likely to have the most traffic.'
To change up your cleaning routine, break each room down further into task zones. Work around the room from zone by zone (similar to the Ski-Slope organizing method) to ensure you thoroughly clean each area; otherwise, it can be easy to neglect or forget certain tasks.
Cleaning a kitchen is the biggest task after hosting Thanksgiving, so it's probably the best place to begin. Work from top to bottom, cleaning cabinet fronts to get rid of kitchen grease and clean the range hood. Then, clear and clean countertops, stovetops, and ovens. Clean dirty dishes, and finish by disposing of expired or unwanted perishables, such as leftovers, vegetables, and garbage, to prevent odors or pests.
Cleaning a dining room is also key – clean the table, chairs, placemats, and polish any used silverware.
You can then move on to the areas where your guests gathered, including bathrooms and guest rooms. Launder bedding and towels. Dust and vacuum each room. Don't forget to clean under the furniture. Remember, you can split these tasks up over a few days once the kitchen is clear.
The 'different day, different room' housekeeping schedule is a good way to plan this out.
3. Simplify Your Cleaning Routine
Cut your cleaning back to basics.
Tanu recommends finding ways to simplify your cleaning routine.
For example, follow the one-tool cleaning method and use one good-quality multipurpose cleaner, so you don't need to keep swapping cleaners for each area of the house.
She explains, 'You can reach so many areas, such as the floor, the kitchen table, and even those smelly pet areas, without having to go back to your cleaning cabinet and swap out your supplies. The Pinalen Multipurpose Cleaner (available at Amazon) is my personal go-to.'
This powerful degreaser deeply cleans with a biodegradable formula to deodorize surfaces and remove stains. It can be used in all areas of your home, including the laundry.
You can also use a cleaning set such as the Joseph Joseph six-piece CleanTech System, available at Amazon, which our team has tried and loved. You can swap cleaning heads quickly and easily as you go, negating the need for multiple separate tools. Plus, it packs away compactly.
The Method cleaning sprays are formulated with plant-based ingredients to help you cut through grease and grime with fewer harsh chemicals.
The Damp Duster is great for allergy sufferers as it removes all dust, pollen, pet hair, and more. Better yet, it is easy to clean and reuse – simply rinse with water to remove dust and grime and use again.
Sponge cloths are plant-based, meaning they are free from plastics and decompose in compost heaps in around 10 months, making them an eco-friendly, hygienic alternative to traditional sponges and paper towels.
4. Tackle Stains Promptly
Run a laundry cycle ASAP to help with staining.
The number one golden rule of stain removal is to act quickly. This is why you should set up a stain station ahead of the holiday to simplify clean-up.
Jess Farinha, founder of London House Cleaners urges, 'Deal with any food or drink spills promptly to prevent them from setting in. Address spills on tablecloths or napkins as soon as you can. Pre-treat stains before doing laundry to increase your chances of fully removing the mark.
'Opt for eco-friendly detergents to keep your linens and upholstery free from damage,' such as this biokleen natural laundry detergent liquid, from Amazon, she adds.
Use tablecloths and placemats to protect your dining surfaces from spills and stains, and choose fabrics that are easy to clean or can be thrown in the washing machine.
For emergency stain removal, we love the Tide To Go Instant Laundry Stain Remover Pen and Spot Cleaner available at Walmart, or try these natural stain removal techniques for quick clean-up that won't set off guests' allergies.
5. Target High-Traffic Areas
Focus on the areas that were used most often during the holiday.
You may want to give your high-traffic areas and spots a deep cleaning post-holiday to help stop the spread of germs.
Jess Farinha continues, 'Post-gathering, it's crucial to disinfect door handles and light switches. We recommend natural, non-toxic cleaners, especially if you have little ones or pets.'
We suggest the Attitude All Purpose Cleaner from Walmart, as it is EWG-certified to be non-toxic and safe for use all over your home.
Abe Nyayapathi adds that you should 'Pay special attention to your kitchen appliances, especially the oven and stovetop. A mixture of baking soda (such as Arm & Hammer baking soda, from Walmart) and water makes for a powerful yet gentle scrub that can cut through grease and grime.'
Hallways are more likely to be dirty due to the high traffic during the holiday, especially if you are hosting. When cleaning an entryway, wipe down surfaces where guests were leaving bags, brush, and vacuum door mats to remove mud before cleaning your floors, and check walls for scuff marks that might need wiping or repairing.
Using a steam cleaner is an easy, low-effort, high-impact and non-toxic way to clean your home. I recommend the Black + Decker Steam Mop with Steam Glove Handheld Cleaner, from Amazon, which I use all over my home to quickly wick away grease and sanitize surfaces with minimal effort.
6. Freshen the Air
Open windows to flush out odors and dust.
While we don't often think of opening windows when the weather is cold, it is vital that you open windows in winter to air out your home and improve indoor air quality, especially after hosting large gatherings or cooking big meals says Josh Mitchell, HVAC technician and the owner of Air Conditioner Lab.
He adds, 'After hosting a big event, it's also crucial to check and replace the air filters in your HVAC system. The increased indoor activity, cooking, and number of guests can lead to more dust and particles in the air, which can clog filters.'
If it is simply too cold to open windows often in your home in winter, an air purifier is your next best bet for keeping your air clean and your home fresh. Amazon's Choice is a label retailers cannot pay to use; it's only awarded by Amazon for products bought often, rarely returned, highly rated and typically in stock.
Besides improving ventilation, take steps to make your home smell nice again.
While you can go around lighting the best candles and turning on the best oil diffusers, you should always treat odors at their source.
This will be helped by your general cleaning, but you may also want to remove odors from upholstery by cleaning with baking soda. Simply sprinkle some across the surface of your furniture and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming away. Finish with a nice linen spray to add a personalized scent to upholstery heading into Christmas.
7. Re-Organize the Fridge and Pantry
Clear out the fridge after Thanksgiving to prevent leftovers going stale or expiring.
Your pantry and fridge have likely been ransacked and refilled with leftovers during the chaos of cooking, hosting, and eating, so these should be reorganized post-Thanksgiving.
This includes upgrading your food storage ideas to reduce food waste and keep items fresh. When storing them in the fridge, keep items that are close to expiry at the front of your pantry or fridge so they are used before they go out of date.
Jess Farinha adds, 'Leftovers are great, but they can quickly overwhelm your fridge. Use clear, stackable containers for easy identification and space-saving. Don't forget to check expiration dates and clear out anything past its prime.'
Label containers with leftovers with dates. To do this, you can use this Phomemo label maker from Amazon. Silicone food storage bags are a non-toxic way to keep leftovers, and can be frozen.
When cleaning a fridge or pantry, mix up a DIY cleaning solution made from equal parts white vinegar and water, and wipe down the shelves and walls with a soft microfiber cloth.
8. Declutter Decor
Put away fall decor and prepare your space for Christmas
Abe suggests, 'Take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving cleanup to declutter your living spaces. Donate items you no longer need and organize belongings to create a fresh, open atmosphere.'
Store the items you are keeping in large weather-tight totes from The Container Store to keep them safe from pests and moisture between now and next year.
It is not just your Thanksgiving decor that needs addressing. When cleaning your kitchen and dining spaces, reconsider your tablescaping storage ideas at the same time.
When packing away table linens, serving dishes, and place mats, declutter anything you haven't used in the last two years, or items you used this year that made your life harder. Be it a serving tray that was too big and clumsy for your table, or placemats that were difficult to clean.
This will make your next Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas prep easier.
9. Delegate Tasks to Others
You don't have to tackle tasks alone.
Ask your friends and encourage family to clean, especially during the post-meal clean-up, to take the pressure off of just one person.
Before Thanksgiving is the best time to ask people if they are okay to help out. Not only does this make delegating responsibilities easier and mitigates any confusion, but ensures everyone pulls their weight in restoring order from the start of the day, keeping the house calm and avoiding chaos.
10. Refresh and Restock
Restock your bathroom supplies after guests have stayed, ready for Christmas hosting.
Whether you have guests stay the night or not, it is a good idea to refresh your towels and restock key essentials such as toiletries after hosting visitors.
This is a good finishing touch to restoring order in your home. and start preparing guest rooms for Christmas.
Wash towels to make them soft again, skip the fabric softener, and use white vinegar in laundry to remove stubborn odors and product build-up.
When restocking essentials, remember to check your back stock areas for spare supplies before buying more. You might find you have some extra toothpaste hidden at the back of a drawer that you had forgotten about, for example.
This is a great way to embrace the under-consumption trend during a period of excess, reducing waste and helping you save money at home.
What to Shop
Microfiber cloths help to trap dust and debris to remove it from surfaces rather than spreading it around. They are machine washable too, helping to limit paper towel waste and save you money
When cleaning work from top to bottom, always finishing by sweeping or vacuuming. This was you can knock crumbs onto the floor without having to redo any tasks
Tide Free & Gentle is tough on stains and odors without being tough on fabrics and skin. Mix a small amount of detergent with warm water to pre-soak items before washing as usual
White vinegar helps to neutralize odors, get rid of mold, and kill some bacteria, making it a great cleaning solution for food storage spots where you want to avoid harsh chemicals
If it is simply too cold to open windows often in your home in winter, an air purifier is your next best bet for keeping your air clean and your home fresh with minimal effort.
Using perforated baskets to organize a pantry allows food items to breathe so they are less likely to turn bad prematurely. Using containers with lids allows you to stack storage to save space
FAQs
How can we Reduce Thanksgiving waste?
When planning for Thanksgiving, you can reduce waste and make cleaning up easier by planning portions beforehand and trying to avoid overcooking. Investing in some good glass containers for leftovers and making space in your fridge and freezer is also essential to prevent extra food from going to waste, making it worthwhile to invest in any of our best eco-friendly Thanksgiving food storage containers.
Breaking down your post-Thanksgiving cleaning into these target areas and spreading the work out over a few days is a great way to conquer cleaning when feeling overwhelmed.
If you still find it difficult to get started, consider employing yourself to clean after the big day to give yourself a reward for your hard work and motivate yourself to restore calm to your home.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.