Last Minute Holiday Prep Checklist

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Ready or not — it is holiday time! Guests will be ringing your door bell soon and you want to make sure everything is looks perfect. This is Janice here with a last minute holiday cleaning checklist to help you with your final “sweep.” Special thanks to Merry Maids for sponsoring this post.

Cleaning is pretty much my least favorite part of the holiday season. I would rather stand in a line twenty shoppers deep or wrap fifty gifts than clean my house.

But like it or not, cleaning is a part of life — and a huge part of holiday entertaining.

If you are hosting family and friends this season, we (and Merry Maids) are here to help.

This month we have been running a three part series inspired by Merry Maids “Season’s Cleanings” tips and tricks from Debra Johnson.

First we created a Holiday Centerpiece that Kids Can Make using the extra tinsel and decorations from the Christmas tree.

Last week, we got the house in order with a 7 Day Holiday Cleaning Schedule and Checklist printable.

And now that it is almost show time, we have a 15 Minute House “Sweep” Checklistto help you ensure that your house is guest ready.

Cleaning with Minutes to Spare

by Debra Johnson, Home Cleaning Expert for Merry Maids

Before you know it, the holidays are here, your guests are arriving and your home could use some cleaning.

Before you curse the extra appetizer or dessert that took up your last hour of precious time, take 15 minutes to simply make your home appear like you’ve spent a full day cleaning it. Grab your microfiber cloth and broom, and set your kitchen timer.

Sweep up the porch and foyer. Fold the throws in the living room and fluff your throw pillows. Toss any old magazines on the coffee table and give it a good swipe with the microfiber cloth as you breeze through the home. Put a fresh stock of toilet paper in the bathroom and put away your toothbrushes and paste that live on the sink.

Run your microfiber around the sink and leave a festive box of tissues behind. Lastly, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on. By the time dinner is ready, you’ll have clean (and warm) dishes that are perfect for serving.

15 Minute House “Sweep”

The key to the last minute “sweep” is to move quickly through your house, microfiber cloth and broom in hand, straightening and cleaning the high traffic areas that will greet your guests.

To help you fly through your house as fast as possible, I have created a quick checklist with Debra’s cleaning tips, as well as a few of my last minute cleaning tips.

The Last Minute Clean Up Checklist

• Pick up clutter, toys, mail, newspapers, etc.
• Sweep porch and foyer
• Run vacuum quickly through living room and carpeted foyer or front hall
• Fold throws blankets and fluff pillows in living room
• Toss out old magazines on the coffee table and wipe down with microfiber cloth
• Wipe down and quickly clean main bathroom toilet
• Put a fresh stock of toilet paper in the bathroom and put away your toothbrushes and paste
• Use a decorative box on bathroom counter to stash lotions and bottles



• Run your microfiber cloth around the sink and leave a festive box of tissues behind
• Straighten cloak closet to make room for guests coats
• Put dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on
• Relax – you have done a fabulous job!

If you want to print out this Last Minute Clean Up Checklist, we have made up a printable for you. Just click on the image below to download.

Thanks again to Merry Maids for sponsoring this holiday post. To find out more about Merry Maids “Season’s Cleanings” check out Merry Maids on Facebook and on Twitter at @merrymaids.

Written and photographed by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
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