Ribeiro House Cleaning
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Holiday cleaning checklist for hosting guests
Do the deep jobs a week out (oven, fridge, guest bathroom, floors), reset the rooms guests will see two days before, and keep the day before for quick touch-ups. Here is the full timeline, a 60-minute version and an after-guests list.
One week before
- Clear the fridge: toss expired food and wipe the shelves to make room.
- Clean the inside of the oven if you'll be roasting.
- Deep clean the guest bathroom: toilet, tub or shower, grout, mirror, sink and faucet.
- Wash guest bedding and towels.
- Declutter the entry, living room and dining room so there's room for coats and seating.
- Dust high places: ceiling fans, light fixtures, top of the fridge.
Two days before
- Vacuum and mop every floor guests will walk on.
- Wipe kitchen counters, cabinet fronts, the stovetop and appliance handles.
- Clean the microwave inside and out.
- Dust shelves, TV stands and picture frames in the living room.
- Clean the dining table and chairs; check serving dishes and glasses.
- Empty all trash cans and recycling.
The day before
- Quick wipe of the guest bathroom sink, mirror and toilet; put out fresh hand towels and soap.
- Spot-clean doors, light switches and handles.
- Shake out or vacuum the entry rug.
- Clear the kitchen counters for cooking space.
- Run and empty the dishwasher so it's free for the party.
Only have 60 minutes?
- Guest bathroom first (15 min): toilet, sink, mirror, fresh towels.
- Kitchen counters and sink (15 min).
- Entry and living room: clear surfaces and vacuum the main paths (20 min).
- Trash out and a final walk-through (10 min).
After the guests leave
- Wash dishes and serving pieces; run the dishwasher.
- Wipe the stovetop, counters and table.
- Clear the fridge of leftovers you won't use.
- Vacuum the main rooms and spot-mop the kitchen.
- Strip and wash guest bedding and towels.
Prefer help with the cleaning?
Lorenna cleans homes across Philadelphia and South Jersey before and after the holidays. See holiday cleaning prices or see a local estimate.
Estimate only. The final price is confirmed before work starts. If the home is larger or needs more work than described, you'll receive an updated price first and can accept it or cancel at no charge.
Questions people ask
Something else? Text 267-243-5051.
How far ahead should I clean before guests arrive?
Start about a week ahead with the slow jobs (fridge, oven, guest bathroom, bedding), then do floors and the rooms guests will see two days before, and save the day before for touch-ups.
What should I clean first before guests come?
The guest bathroom, the kitchen counters and sink, and the entry. Those are the places guests use and see first.
What do guests notice most?
Bathrooms (toilet, sink, faucet and mirror), a cluttered entry, sticky kitchen surfaces and smells from trash or the fridge.
What can I do if I only have an hour?
Guest bathroom, kitchen counters and sink, clear surfaces and vacuum the main paths, then take out the trash.
Can the price change after I book?
Estimate only. The final price is confirmed before work starts. If the home is larger or needs more work than described, you'll receive an updated price first and can accept it or cancel at no charge.