The holidays can bring extra stressors - don’t let cleaning be one of them!
At Dee’s Green Cleaning we understand what it takes to keep a home feeling fresh all year round.
We’ve compiled a list of essential cleaning tips to get you started, plus our go-to cleans to make your home ready for the holiday festivities! ❤️
With the right strategy and techniques, you can make the process faster and more effective while ensuring no spots are overlooked ✨
Essential Starter Tips
Before cleaning gets started, it’s important to recognize your cleaning needs, create a plan and have the right tools.
Here’s a few tips to get started:
✅ Start Early: Don’t wait till the last minute - identify your needs and create checklists accordingly. This way, you can designate tasks over several days or weeks, rather than cramming it all into one day.
✅ Work from Top to Bottom: Start cleaning higher surfaces first, such as shelves, countertops, and ceiling fans, so dust and debris fall to the floor where they can be vacuumed or swept up last.
This prevents you from having to clean the same area twice, saving you time and energy!
✅ Keep Tools Handy: Gather all necessary cleaning supplies before you start. Having a small caddy or apron with your cleaning tools saves time and prevents unnecessary trips back and forth.
✅ Pay Attention to Overlooked Areas: Dirt and dust tend to accumulate in corners, baseboards, along edges, door-frames and doorknobs. Use a crevice tool for vacuuming, a microfiber cloth & all-purpose to wipe neglected areas clean!
Why It Matters
Saves Time and Effort: A systematic approach reduces the time spent redoing tasks.
Ensures a Thorough Clean: Prevents missing overlooked spots like corners and high surfaces.
Makes Cleaning Less Stressful: Having a clear method helps you clean without feeling overwhelmed.
Bonus tip:
Cleaning one room at a time gives instant results, while reducing steps and strain from lugging your products around multiple times!✨
Stovetop & Oven Deep Cleaning
Your oven & stovetop see a lot of action during the holiday season, show them some love with these tips that we can’t live without 🧼
✅ Use steel wool on cast iron burners, iron grates and the interior walls of your oven for caked on food residue. Due to the grit of steel wool, never use on glass, stainless steel, or porcelain surfaces. Remember, always spot test before using.
✅ Need an extra cleaning boost? Dee’s Green Cleaning prefers Bon Ami for its effectiveness, as well as its clean & cruelty-free ingredients.
Whether it’s on your stovetop or oven, we love using Dee’s Green Cleaning all-Purpose spray mixed with Bon Ami for baked on grease, stains and stubborn food residue. The all-purpose helps to activate the power of Bon Ami, creating less strain and stress.
✅ Use a pumice stone for the interior walls & ceramic door of your oven (never use on glass!) you won’t believe the transformation! As with any tool that helps combat stubborn food residue, always spot test if you are unsure.
✅ Utilize a bucket of water, concentrated products and washable towels to reduce water plus extend the life of your products 🫧
Deep cleaning your oven and stovetop help to ensure that all food tastes fresh and delicious, while keeping everything sanitary.
Holiday Fridge Prep
Home-cooked meals are a love language 💚
Cleaning your fridge helps to ensure that no outdated ingredients are used, while keeping things organized and sanitized with enough room for that turkey! 😋🦃
Here’s a few tips to help you get started;
✅ Work top to bottom; start from left to right as you clean and work top to bottom, allowing debris to fall down as you clean. Remove products one section at a time, and return once the area is cleaned.
✅ Remove & Dispose expired products; As you clean, examine all products, produce and left overs; dispose of anything expired.
✅ Use all-purpose spray or all-purpose concentrate and a bucket of water along with cotton or microfiber towels to clean and sanitize all shelves, drawers and handles.
✅ After you’re done, organize your products and take inventory of what you need.
Don’t forget the outside of your fridge, too!
Tips for a Gleaming & Sanitized Sink
Your kitchen sink is one of the most frequently used areas in your home, making it essential to keep it clean and sanitized.
A sparkling sink not only looks great but also helps prevent the buildup of bacteria, grime, and unpleasant odors.
Here’s an easy yet effective method to achieve a gleaming and sanitized sink using simple household ingredients.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
✅ Sprinkle Bon Ami or Baking Soda: Bon Ami uses gentle, yet effective, clean ingredients to help lift stains and heavy residue.
Baking soda is another natural abrasive that helps lift stains, grease, and residue without scratching the sink’s surface. It also has deodorizing properties, helping to eliminate foul smells.
Pair with your favorite all-purpose cleaner and spray to help activate!
✅ Scrub All Surfaces: Use a soft, vegetable fiber sponge or a non-abrasive scrubber to work the baking soda or Bon Ami into the sink.
Pay extra attention to corners, the drain, and around the faucet where grime tends to accumulate.
✅ Rinse with Warm Water: Thoroughly rinse the sink with warm water to remove the baking soda, Bon Ami and any loosened debris.
✅ Buff with a Dry Cloth: Use a microfiber or cotton cloth to dry the sink completely. This not only prevents water spots and streaks but also restores the sink’s natural shine.
Why it’s Important ✨
Hygiene & Health: The sink can be a breeding ground for bacteria, especially if food particles are left behind. Regular cleaning minimizes the risk of contamination.
Prevents Unpleasant Odors: Leftover food debris and moisture can lead to bad smells. Keeping the sink clean ensures a fresher-smelling kitchen.
Extends the Life of Your Sink: Proper maintenance helps prevent stains, rust, and mineral buildup, keeping your sink looking new for longer.
A clean sink is a key part of maintaining a fresh and hygienic kitchen. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your sink looking spotless and germ-free.
Gratitude is the Attitude
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, plus the extra tasks it takes to get your home holiday ready, it’s easy to forget the reason for the season.
Remember to take time to pause, reflect and give thanks 🙏
According to the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, “gratitude is a neurological and physiological process that activates the brain's reward centers, reduces stress hormones, and strengthens social bonding”.
Gratitude isn’t just something we feel emotionally, our heart and body respond to it.
Here are a few ways to practice gratitude this holiday:
- Go around the table and give thanks; Invite each guest to share something that they are grateful for. 💚
- Gratitude journal; Grab a journal and take 5 minutes each day to express what you are grateful for. The list could be as trivial as a warm cup of coffee, to bigger things like the family, the roof over your head, or your health. 😌
- Give Back; Whether it be a donation to charity, a local food bank, or volunteering, share your abundance with those in need. 👍
We cannot express our gratitude enough for you!
Thank you for being a part of the Dee’s Green Cleaning family.
We hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! 💚🦃
For more information on the science of gratitude, check out the link below!
» https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf
