Christmas is Over.. Now for the Clean Up!
The holidays are a joyous time with family and friends. However, the seasonal glow can quickly fade when you’re faced with the aftermath: a messy house to clean up once all your guests have left! Getting your home back into shape can seem like a daunting task, but we’ve put together some tips to help you get it done in time for the new year!
Handle the Christmas Tree Carefully
Use as much care taking your tree down as you did putting it up. This can save you some major headaches next year. Some tips for packing ornaments:
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You can keep Christmas lights from tangling up by wrapping them around the empty tubes of wrapping paper. Loop the cord around the roll, starting with the side opposite to the plug, then insert the plug into the tube’s opening. If you’ve already thrown away your gift wrap tubes, paper towel tubes can work, too.
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Take down the ornaments and wrap them safely. You can even repurpose used wrapping and tissue paper (if you haven’t already recycled them) to wrap them before storing them neatly back into their boxes. For an added cushion, place the tree skirt at the bottom of the storage box and layer the ornaments on top, using tissue paper between the layers.
Check Your Carpet and Furniture for Stains
The longer they have to set in, the more difficult they’ll be to remove. If you spot any stains, use a spray bottle to lightly apply a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing soap. Blot the area with a paper towel and continue spraying and blotting until the stain is removed. Rinse with clear water and blot again. Fluff the area and allow it to dry. Reserve the introduction of chemical cleaners until this method is exhausted.
Use This Time to Get Rid of What You Don’t Need
Did you get some great new gifts for your kitchen or other places in your home? That’s great! …but you may not need two or three chip and dip sets in your cabinet. Now is the time to get rid of them! Re-gift or donate any gifts that will only take up precious space.
Have kids? Recruit them to help by creating a race to see who can gather their toys first. You can then store toys that are of no interest at the moment and rotate/bring them out every once in awhile to keep their spark.