I’m always open to learning more cleaning tips! With four children, working full-time, and having little time on my hands, I had the opportunity to learn a few cleaning tips to help me get my house in shape for my holiday gatherings from Merry Maids!
Merry Maids is the nation’s leading home cleaning company and part of the ServiceMaster family of brands. They share expert text messages with tips and tricks to help keep homes and hosts on Santa’s nice list.
Between unexpected guests and all the fun to host but not so fun to clean up and get together with family and friends, having a clean home is extremely important during the holiday season. Gosh, I’m telling you, I sure could use Merry Maids in my house. I don’t have the time to keep up with everything I have going on, and I’m going to admit that it would be nice to have some help when it comes to cleaning. I know my husband would agree, lol.
I need all the help I can get! Check out this video of what I have to deal with! OMG, I cannot tell you how stressed I have been about the upcoming holiday.
If you think I am kidding about coming back in an hour and it looking worse, I’m not! Kids are like little hurricanes, LOL. I feel like I am always going behind them, asking them to pick this up, and the holidays bring that much more stress. Lucky for me, I was able to learn a few effective ways to prepare for my holiday gathering the Merry Maids way! I thought I would share a few of them because I know I’m not the only one freaking out about the holidays!
Cleaning Tips To Get Your House In Shape The Merry Maids Way
Since Thanksgiving is almost here, I thought I would share a few fabulous “Season’s Cleanings tips:
I actually have started preparing for Thanksgiving the Merry Maids way by following their holiday party prep tip. Check it out:
I’m following the Holiday Party Prep tips, which not only makes things easier but also gives me more time. I’m getting rid of the “who had time to clean” mindset and starting my holiday cleaning now! I’m focusing on one room at a time, and I even have the kids joining in on the fun. Of course, they have to stop for dance breaks, which I am guilty of joining in on once. Debra Johnson suggests that we start with the rooms that are used the least and are unlikely to be disturbed. In my house, I started in my bathroom, moved to my bedroom, and will be taking my son to his room today. Slowly, I’ll get to the room we use most, which is the kitchen. By the time everyone gets here, I should be in good shape.
Since I’m starting with plenty of time, I am also following the Merry Maids approved mother-in-law-approved cleaning tips! Oh yes, Merry Maids even thought about that picky mother-in-law who looks at everything. Since we all know our mother-in-law is checking to see if her baby’s home is naughty or clean, we cannot leave a cushion unturned! Don’t forget while you’re cleaning each room to vacuum under the sofa, by any baseboards, and between the cushions. Oh, and whatever you do, don’t forget the bathrooms! When was the last time you changed that old shower curtain liner? And the kitchen needs the appliances and cabinets cleaned too! See, it’s not so bad when you spread it out! You’ll actually have time to get everything done.
However, the holidays also call for those last-minute cleanings, and there is no avoiding them. When those cleanings with minutes to spare happen, it can be stressful! Gosh, guests are showing up, and your house could use some TLC! Rather than blaming the extra appetizer or dessert you’ve prepared, which I’m sure tastes fabulous, take 15 minutes and make your home look like you spent all day cleaning.
Yes, this can be done the Merry Maids-approved way too! Hurry and grab your microfiber cloth and broom, and you can even set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes! Now sweep the porch and foyer, fold the throws that are in the living room, fluff your throw pillows, and arrange them nicely. Toss all the old magazines on the coffee table and wipe the table with your microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to put a new roll of toilet paper in the bathroom, toothpaste, and any toothbrushes, hairbrushes, or hair products up. Don’t forget to use your microfiber and wipe around the sink, and grab that new festive box of tissue to leave behind. Now, head to the kitchen and toss your dishes in the dishwasher. Take a deep breath, because by the time dinner is ready, you’ll have nice, clean, and warm dishes!
The last useful tip I am going to share in this post, but I can’t leave it out because I’m sure some of us will be dealing with something like this!
Did you know you can get red wine, turkey gravy, and even cranberry sauce stains out of upholstery and carpets? OMG, yes, which means when your guest accidentally leaves behind a spot on your upholstery or rug, you can get it out. You can actually blot the spot right away with a clean white cloth to absorb all of the liquid. If the stain is dry, then you can use a quick solution of dishwashing liquid (1 tbsp), white vinegar (1 tbsp), and warm water (2 cups) to blot away the stain.
Gosh, I’m glad Merry Maids has so many great tips because I don’t think my kids would be much help. Making messes is what they are all about, but when it’s time to clean up I am likely to get the response in the above picture. They suddenly are sleepy, forgot English, how to walk, or something, it never fails!
Today we’re going to start working on my bedroom, and Mattie is geared up early this morning and ready to get those dust bunnies out from under the bed. I would rather not hear my mother-in-law mention the dust bunnies under my bed. Oh, and I think Mattie thinks they’re real bunnies. She might be a little upset to find out; it’s just dust. Time will tell.
We have just started our cleaning mission, but I have already noticed the kids are more willing to help. I guess I can understand why; the stress levels are lower for me, and it’s a slower pace. Less laying around and more dancing while we get stuff done! Be sure to be on the lookout for the next post, which will be loads of holiday fun!
Debra agrees that the holidays are fun but stressful for many. Between shopping, cooking, and everything else we have going on, it can be hard to keep up with the house. Debra Johnson, home cleaning expert for Merry Maids. “The good news is that there are simple tips and strategies to getting a home in tip-top shape—from being selective with holiday décor to having a laundry closet packed with your trusty cleaning solutions—making cleaning easier and far less stressful.”
Be sure to check out these 6 reasons to use a holiday cleaning checklist for your holiday cleaning and this fun DIY Christmas Centerpiece Craft.
Thanks, Merry Maids.
