The countdown to Christmas has begun, the bells are ringing, people are debating Fairytale Of New York in the rags, the decorations are going up, and everyone is getting their houses ready for the holidays.
In a world where cleaning enthusiasts like Mrs Hinch and Marie Kondo have become celebrities, with their own books and brands of household goods, cleaning, for many, is no longer a chore. Indeed, it now counts as an aspirational, Instagrammable activity.
You can’t seem to turn on the TV without seeing a Netflix show centred around getting organised these days. That said, no matter how ‘cool’ cleaning has become, getting your homes straight before the festivities begin can often feel like a mammoth task, with homes requiring deep, undivided attention before a mountain of decorations go up.
So, with the help of the cleaning experts at Dr Beckmann, we’re breaking down what needs doing, day by day. Hey, you said you wanted to get organised, right? Just don’t forget to hashtag your progress, you never know you could even get a Netflix show out of it!
Here’s the 24 day cleaning countdown to Christmas.
1. DECLUTTER YOUR HOME, READY FOR A NEW YEAR
The lead-up to Christmas is here, so it’s time for a clear-out. Go through your house, from top to bottom, and get rid of anything you don’t need, ready for 2021! Starting off the festive season in a house free from clutter can feel really liberating, don’t you think?
2. CONTINUE DECLUTTERING
So liberating, in fact, that we’re cracking on with the clear out on day two. Let’s face it, decluttering takes more than one day, so continue yesterday’s task today for a calmer domestic environment.
3. CLEAN THE KETTLE
Once the mammoth task of decluttering is out the way, it’s time for a simple job; descaling your kettle ready for the warming hot drinks of the season. Fill your pot with a mixture of half water and half vinegar and leave to soak overnight. Rinse thoroughly in the morning to remove any lingering odours, then boil up some fresh water.
4. SPRUCE UP THE FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE
Whether or not you’re having visitors this year, enhancing your home’s kerb appeal always makes your place look so much more appealing.
So, remove any excess dirt or leaves that have fallen outside your house. Door knobs, handles and letterboxes are common items that are usually forgotten about when doing your cleaning chores, so give them some festive attention, too.
It’s important to regularly wipe down the front door with soap and water and apply a surface cleaner to any objects people might have touched as well. Once spic and span, give them a polish.
When you’re done, the fun part begins; decorate with a wreath showcasing the best of the festive foliage and if you’re one for outdoor fairy lights, then this is the time to set them up, before the festive season gets too hectic. Don’t forget to take a before-and-after shot for Instagram!
5. FRESHEN UP THE FLOOR
Floors often have unseen dirt and germs and require a deeper clean. When it comes to an efficient deep clean, it’s all about using the right tools; Dr. Beckmann’s Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner will leave your bathroom and kitchen floors sparkling.
The cleaner also adds a protective layer to your tiles to prevent them from staining; if you drop a delightful festive canape on the floor this year, you can forget the usual disappointment – you’ve done a deep clean and wiped away all the dirt. Take that 5 second rule naysayers!
6. WATCH YOUR WINDOWS SPARKLE
Before the Winter weather really hits, give your windows a wipe down. Sweep loose dirt from the window frame with a brush, then use a glass cleaner with a microfibre cloth or paper towel to finish the job.
7. DREAMING OF DECORATIONS
Time to bring your Christmas decorations out of the attic and give them a well-needed dust. To brighten up your snowmen, angels or snowflake soft toys, place them in the wash alongside Dr. Beckmann’s Glowhite to bring any faded colour back to life.
8. GIVE YOUR APPLIANCES A 5* SERVICE
Tackle the dishwasher and washing machine with Dr. Beckmann’s Service-it Deep Clean range. Pour the powder directly into the bottom of the empty dishwasher or drum of the washing machine, then select a standard cleaning programme and run the cycle. It’s going to be seeing a lot of use at this time of year, after all.
9. TRAVEL IN STYLE
If you’re heading somewhere this Christmas, then get your car shipshape. If you’re not, do it anyway, ready for the New Year with a good de-clutter and clean. Take out the floor mats and shake the dirt off, then give it a once over with the vacuum. It’s always handy to have a mini travel wash in your car, for any overnight stain emergencies.
10. STAIRWAY TO CLEANING HEAVEN
Hoover up your stairs to remove all the excess debris and dirt. For the more stubborn stains, use Dr. Beckmann’s Carpet Stain Remover to snow them who’s boss!
11. FOOD, GLORIOUS, FOOD!
Clean and empty your fridge ready for the festive food. Take out all drawers and shelves and wash thoroughly with washing-up liquid and hot water.
12. PAW-FECTLY CLEAN-UP AFTER YOUR PETS
Spruce up your pet’s bed ready for the Christmas fun, pop it in the washing machine for a deep cleanse, then give those stubborn marks a scrub with Dr. Beckmann’s Pet Stain & Odour Remover.
13. HAVE A REST
We’re halfway through, and you’ve earnt it.
14. GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT OFF
It’s time to get your Christmas crockery and glasses ready, to make sure you’ve got everything you need. It’s always a shame when someone has to drink champers out of a tumbler, right?
Get your champagne flutes and wine glasses sparkly by steaming them before polishing. Simply hold them above a teapot until they get all steamy, and then polish.
Give any silverware a polish, and clean your carafes and jugs with vinegar to banish limescale deposits. Starch your napkins and tablecloths and shine up those serving dishes.
15. SAY GOODBYE TO STUBBORN STAINS
Getting stains out of carpets can seem like an impossible task (especially if it’s mulled wine), but when you use Dr. Beckmann’s Carpet Stain Remover, the stubborn stains soon become a distant memory. It’s that good, seriously. Not only IDEAL for the 15th day of your cleaning orgy, but you should also have it on hand for the big day itself – you can thank us later.
16. FRESH, CLEAN WASHING MACHINE = FRESH, CLEAN LAUNDRY
The washing machine is on a never-ending spin during holiday season, so use a specialised cleaner to banish the bacteria and microorganisms living inside your machine to leave your clothes smelling and feeling fresh.
17. FESTIVE, FOAMY FUN!
Your toilet is particularly busy over the festive season, too. All those mince pies, mulled wines and stuffing sandwiches… yep, once you break the seal on Christmas day, you can’t go back.
So, make your bathroom a place you want to be on Christmas day. Give your loo another once over with the Power-Foaming Toilet Cleaner and don’t forget the festive toilet paper (even your bottom needs a present on Christmas).
Finally, add some pine scented candles for a fresh, Christmassy smell.
18. FRESHEN UP AFTER YOUR LITTLE FRIENDS
And by furry friends, we mean pets, children and infantile partners. Tidy up your sofa and remove any crumbs, pet hairs or lingering dust balls.
The best approach is to use a sticky roller or pad to remove visible pet hairs followed by the vacuum cleaner to capture any unseen crumbs and dust. Then, it’s ready for that all-important post-Christmas lunch slob out, making room for the inevitable new crumbs – like those from your festive cheeseboard and leftover turkey sandwiches.
Hey, it’s the best bit, right?
19. BANISH THOSE DEVILISH STAINS
Time to transform your Christmas tablecloth. If the material has some secret stains, then treat it with a specialised stain remover. Wet the stain with water and then add the remover onto the area and work into the mark. Leave for 3 minutes then dab until the stain has disappeared
20. HO, HO, HO
It’s time to get your festive outfits ready. Pop all of the family’s Christmas jumpers in the wash, ready for the big day! Use Dr. Beckmann’s Colour & Dirt Collector Sheets or Re-Usable Colour Collector Cloth to ensure that your festive jumpers stay merry and bright.
21. WORK THAT OVEN
A dirty oven with old burnt on grease could ruin your chances of cooking the perfect turkey.
Give the oven a deep clean ready for the Christmas dinner; apply cleaning gloves and squirt oven cleaner all over the exterior and interior of the oven. Leave overnight, then use a cloth to scrub the spillages away. Your oven will be shining clean and fresh in no time.
22. GET YOUR KITCHEN READY
Hey, don’t stop with the oven! You’re only as good a cook as your kitchen is clean. Indeed, keeping things neat and tidy, with clean lines and everything in its right place, is one of the cornerstones of culinary wisdom. It’s an ethos, a mentality, to do everything correctly and with care, that the very best chefs cherish. In short, your mise en place can make or break you.
If everything is where it should be, and mess isn’t causing distractions and impeding movement, then getting things done to the best of the cook’s ability is as easy as an expertly cooked pie. So spend today getting everything ready and in its right place for the Christmas day cooking.
23. TIME FOR BED…
Is anything more of a treat than slipping into clean white sheets? Get into a clean, white bed with Dr. Beckmann’s Glowhite ULTRA, in time for Christmas Day.
Place your bedding, detergent and a sachet of the laundry whitener in the washing machine and watch as your bed sheets come out sparkling white. You may even think you’ve woken up in a white blanket of freshly fallen snow – minus the freezing temperatures, of course!
24. MERRY CLEANMAS!
And…RELAX! Put your feet up, the festivities have begun! Alternatively, it’s time start worrying about the cooking for tomorrow. And who said Christmas isn’t special?