We are entering the winter holidays and this often brings with it gatherings and parties in which to celebrate. This means that there will also be a corresponding increase in the need for cleaning, before and after them.
Here are some tips for cleaning your home or office pre and post-party.
Office Cleaning – Before the Party
Getting ready for a party at an office usually consists of 3 main parts:
- Sorting or tidying
- Preparing for guests
- Obtaining supplies
Start by clearing any space you need for the party. This often means sorting and organizing items that should or should not be in the area. It also includes quick tidying. If you have regular ongoing cleaning, you should only be putting things away, not having to do a deep cleaning of the space.
Prepare for guests by ensuring there are enough seating areas and standing room. Make sure the space is arranged for any activity, including food service, to happen easily without tripping hazards or crowding issues.
Finally, obtain the supplies needed, such as favors, serving utensils, plates, cups, napkins, plasticware, and the like. Have trash cans and extra bags on-hand for quicker cleanup.
Office Cleaning – After the Party
After the party, make sure all the trash is in bags and thrown out. Wipe down tables, chairs, and surfaces used for food and eating. Check the floor for any needed attention, such as spills or splatters and clean them up.
Rearrange the room to how it was prior and remove from storage anything that was put away. Your office cleaning company should be able to take over from there, and giving them a heads-up is always a great gesture of holiday spirit.
Home Cleaning – Before the Party
Getting your home ready for a holiday party doesn’t have to be stressful, although many of us do make it so. If you don’t have a regular cleaning company or practice, this may be the time you feel you need to catch up on everything you have neglected. Let’s start by letting you off the hook by saying, “keep things in perspective.”
Build a list of priorities and ask yourself how important each task is before exhausting yourself by doing everything. Now is the time to ask for help, whether from friends, family, or a professional cleaning company.
Once you’ve identified your priorities, get started. Tidy the areas the guests will use, such as the bathroom, entryway, and dining area. It’s okay to have shut doors where you don’t want guests. Store or put away items that could get damaged or that you simply don’t want to be bothered.
Rearrange the space to best accommodate your guests and take a physical and visual inventory of any items you need, such as plating, seating, or for cleanliness. Be sure to have a trash can readily available so guests know where trash goes and don’t have to search for it.
Most importantly, enjoy your guests and time with them. The spirit of the holidays is connection, not cleanliness. However, your guests should be comfortable, safe, and healthy, which all come from providing them with a clean space to enjoy with you.
Home Cleaning – After the Party
After the party, again get help. Asking others to help will allow you to get more done more quickly. Take out trash, wipe any areas that hold food, and do dishes. You may want to tidy or clean the bathroom again.
Sweep and vacuum the floors and put the space back into the configuration that works for day-to-day, pre-party setup. Finally, sit back and relax and celebrate another successful holiday party!
A Cleaning Service
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