Dining rooms take center stage during the fall and winter months, as we gather with family for the holidays. Keeping yours looking impeccable is key.
Even if it appears clean at first glance, there are five details a professional would notice that can actually make your dining room feel less than pristine – and put a serious damper on your hosting.
These are the areas to focus on when prepping and cleaning a dining room before welcoming friends and family.
Things professional cleaners notice about dirty dining rooms
1. Crumbs around the table
Dining tables with carved-in grooves can collect crumbs.
One dirty spot you will never be able to unsee is the decorative grooves carved into some dining tables.
They are magnets for crumbs and dust.
Michael Williams, cleaning professional and founder of Michael's Cleaning, begins, 'Dinner tables with ornate grooves or planks can be stunning, but they are in effect crumb collectors. Dust from food, sugar grains, and even blobs of sauce get stuck in those spaces and quietly dry up over the course of time.'
And let's not forget the crumbs that accumulate beneath the table, too.
Michael's solution is two-pronged. 'Following a meal, I sweep the crumbs out of grooves using a soft-bristle brush [such as a crevice brush from Walmart] or a handheld vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool [available at Target for under $60] before they stiffen.
'Underneath, I recommend a swift sweep with the best cordless vacuum before chairs are moved back. That way, you're catching the mess before it has a chance to spread further.'
2. Dusty dish storage
Dusty dish storage will not fill your guests with confidence.
Most dining rooms have some storage ideas tucked away for spare dinnerware or table setting essentials.
One thing a pro cleaner will always notice is dust and grime collecting here, and there is a risk your guests will too, with the sight possibly putting them off their food.
Miachle warns, 'that unused surface is a dust machine. Because we don't use them daily, the buildup is more insidious than in the kitchen. That dust doesn't just sit around either, it floats when you take out a plate or open a cabinet, falling back onto the dining table.'
One thing people with clean home storage always do is dust these areas monthly at least.
Michael suggests using a microfiber cloth, from Walmart, dampened slightly with either water or an all-purpose spray such as the Attitude All-Purpose cleaner from Amazon, so you are lifting particles rather than pushing them around.
'Better yet, store infrequently used items in closed cabinetry rather than open shelving,' he adds. 'You’ll save yourself from having to constantly battle that fine dining-room dust storm.'
3. High pile rugs
Flat weave rugs are easier to maintain in dining rooms.
Picking the perfect dining room rug can help to frame your dining table, making the space feel cozier when hosting.
However, it is vital to avoid a high-pile rug at all costs.
Michael explains, 'A plush rug in front of the dining table is a warm and inviting spot, but it's one of the fastest ways to dirty up the room. The heavy fibers are Velcro for crumbs, pet hair, and even liquid that drips under the surface. The more you sit down, the more the mess gets worked in.
'Instead of fighting it, I recommend switching to a flatweave or low-pile rug that is easy to vacuum.
'If you love texture, put a machine-washable rug on top so you can just stuff it in the washer after dinner parties instead of scrubbing on hands and knees.'
We love the Ruggable machine-washable rugs, as they are incredibly hard-wearing and come in hundreds of patterns, colors, piles, and sizes. I have three in my home, including in the dining room and kitchen, and I recommend them to everyone I know.
4. Upholstered chairs
Upholstered chairs need to be steam cleaned often.
Upholstered dining chairs can make long dinners a lot more comfortable, but they are also more prone to dirt and stains, points out Symantha Gonzalez, sustainable cleaning expert at Beyond Eco.
She warns, 'They trap dust, food particles, and allergens, making them harder to clean and a breeding ground for bacteria. Regular vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning are essential for these surfaces.'
The Woolite Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, from Walmart, comes with a built-in adaptor to make cleaning and spot treating stains quick and easy.
The best steam cleaners and steam mops can also come in handy when cleaning upholstered dining chairs. For example, I use the Black & Decker 7-in-1 steam cleaner, available at Amazon, on my dining chairs to loosen stains and remove odors. Just be sure to test this method on an inconspicuous area first, as there are some surfaces you should never clean with steam.
5. Over-the-top tablescaping
Keeping your table simple makes keeping things clean a breeze.
Beautiful tablescaping elevates any dinner; however, Symantha warns that one thing that always stands out to her as contributing to a dirtier space is over-the-top decorative surfaces.
'They collect airborne particles and hide crumbs,' she warns.
As a result, it is best to keep things toned down and to clear the table completely after dining so that everything can be cleaned thoroughly.
Plus, paring back when setting a table gives your guests more room when they are dining, so no one feels cramped.
Dining room cleaning must haves
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has certified Attitude products as non-toxic, meaning they contain no harsh chemicals or artificial compounds. They are safe for use on most dining table surfaces.
The Damp Duster is great for allergy sufferers as it removes all dust, pollen, pet hair, and more, affordable, reusable, and conveniently sized, and, better yet, is easy to clean – simply wash the sponge with water to remove dust and grime.
Microfiber cloths are machine washable, meaning you can reuse them for years with proper care. Simply wash after use on a warm water cycle and gentle detergent (skip the softener) to sanitize.
This handy dustpan and brush can slot neatly alongside appliances or cabinets for quick cleaning when you don't want to drag the vacuum out of storage.
Spills are inevitable at the dining table. Keep stain remover pens within easy reach for table linens, clothing, and upholstery, so you can tackle messes immediately – before they have a chance to set.
This powerful handheld vacuum is ideal for quickly tackling crumbs on and under dining tables, with a crevice tool for tackling any caved-in groove details.
Meet the experts
Michael Williams is the founder and CEO of Michael’s Cleaning, an end-of-lease cleaning company based in Melbourne. Since 2009, he and his team have completed over 15,000 vacate cleans, specializing in everything from carpet steam cleaning and oven cleaning to wall washing, window cleaning, and full property detail cleans
Symantha Gonzalez is a seasoned expert in sustainable cleaning practices and serves as a cornerstone of the team at Beyond Eco. She brings a deep understanding of non-toxic, effective cleaning methods that prioritize health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
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