Get Your Home Ready For The Holidays

The holiday season in Australia packs a lot into a few weeks. There are work deadlines, school breakups, Christmas lunch, summer visitors and New Year plans. Somewhere in there, the house needs to be ready for guests.

The key to getting your home ready for the holidays is a plan. This guide gives you a simple timeline, a room-by-room checklist, and tips to keep the house under control into the new year.

Your holiday cleaning timeline

Spreading the work out stops the week before Christmas turning into a cleaning marathon.

• Four weeks out: Declutter, sort decorations and book any help you need. Cleaners get busy in December.
• Three weeks out: Deep clean the oven, fridge, pantry and dishwasher. Swap winter clothes for summer ones.
• Two weeks out: Clean the outdoor area and barbecue. Freshen the guest room and wash spare linen.
• The week before: Clean the bathrooms, living areas and entryway.
• The day before: Quick tidy, empty the bins, and put out fresh towels and hand soap.

Start with a declutter

Clutter makes every other cleaning job slower. Walk through your home and clear out broken appliances, empty boxes and anything you no longer use. Donate what is still in good condition.

This is also a good time to make room for gifts and decorations. For a full room-by-room plan, use our house cleaning checklist.

Clean the entryway

Your entryway is the first thing guests see. Even if the rest of the house is spotless, a pile of shoes, bags and mail by the door sets the wrong tone.

• Clear away shoes, bags and clutter.
• Pack away everyday decor to make room for festive decorations.
• Wipe down entry furniture and buff it dry.
• Clean any mirrors or glass. Our guide to cleaning glass and mirrors streak free shows how.
• Shake out or wash the doormat.

Get the living and dining rooms ready to entertain

Think about where you will be hosting. Whether it is Christmas lunch, a party or a family barbecue, these rooms will get the most use.

Dining room

• Clear the table and wipe it down, then buff dry.
• Tidy and dust shelves, sideboards and display cabinets.
• Dust picture frames, artwork and light fittings.
• Wipe down the chairs.
• Vacuum and mop the floor.

Living room

• Clear clutter and pack away decor you will not need over Christmas.
• Remove cushions, vacuum the couch, then replace the cushions.
• Clear and wipe the coffee table.
• Dust frames, lamps, light fittings and ceiling fans.
• Vacuum and mop the floor. Treat any rug or carpet marks with our carpet stain removal tips.

Prepare the kitchen to cook and host

The kitchen works harder over Christmas than at any other time of year. Baking, roasting and reheating leftovers all go smoother in a clean, clear kitchen.

Clear the benches

Move small appliances, papers and mail off the benches. File bills and important documents away. Wipe and disinfect every surface so you have room to prepare food.

Clean the microwave

Guests will use it to reheat food. Take out the turntable plate and soak it in hot soapy water. Wipe the inside, door and outside while it soaks. See our full guide on how to clean a microwave.

Get the oven ready for the roast

A dirty oven can smoke and leave burnt smells in your food. Give it a deep clean well before the big day, as it takes time. Our oven cleaning guide walks you through it.

Refresh the fridge and pantry

Clear out old food to make room for desserts, drinks and leftovers. Wipe every shelf and clean up spills to stop odours. Check pantry items are in date and stock up on what you need, so you are not racing to the shops on Christmas Eve.

See how to clean your fridge the proper way and our tips to maximise your pantry space.

Check the dishwasher

You do not want to spend the party washing up by hand. Clean the filter and run an empty hot cycle. Our guide on how to clean your dishwasher has the steps.

Finish the kitchen

• Wipe cupboard fronts and appliances.
• Clean the stovetop and splashback.
• Scrub the sink and plug holes, then buff dry for a shine.
• Empty the bin, wipe it out and reline it.
• Keep benches and the space around the fridge free of crumbs. It helps keep ants and flies away in the warmer months.

Freshen the bathrooms

Guests will notice the bathroom. A fresh, clean bathroom makes the whole house feel cleaner.

• Sweep or vacuum the dry floor to remove hair and dust.
• Wash the bath mats.
• Scrub the shower and bath, rinse and buff dry. Our shower cleaning guide covers natural options too.
• Squeegee the glass screens and shower doors.
• Clear the vanity, wipe it down and buff dry.
• Polish the taps. A leftover lemon wedge brings up a shine on chrome. Wipe the juice off with a microfibre cloth afterwards.
• Scrub and disinfect the toilet, cistern and the tiles behind it.
• Mop the floor.
• Put out a spare toilet roll, fresh hand towels and hand soap.

A low-maintenance indoor plant, like a spider plant, adds a fresh look to the bathroom without much care.

Prepare the guest room

Even if no one is booked to stay, get the guest room ready. Someone may decide to stay over rather than drive home after a late night.

• Open the windows and doors to air the room out while you clean.
• Strip the bed and wash the sheets.
• Vacuum the mattress to remove dust.
• Tumble the doona in the dryer on a no-heat setting to fluff it up.
• Remake the bed and add cushions.
• Dust bedside tables, lamps, frames and other surfaces.
• Clean any mirrors.
• Vacuum, and mop if the floor allows.
• Leave a bath towel, hand towel and face washer on the bed. Our folding hacks will help them look neat.

Skip strongly scented flowers in the guest room, in case your visitors have allergies. A bowl of fruit is a welcoming alternative.

Refresh the laundry

Summer humidity can leave washing machines smelling musty, and holiday guests mean extra loads. Run an empty hot wash with detergent, or a washing machine cleaner. Then leave the door or lid open so the drum dries out completely.

Swap your wardrobe for summer

Make room for summer clothes, and for any new ones that arrive under the tree. Wash winter clothes and let them dry completely. Store them in a container lined with acid-free paper or a clean cotton sheet. They will come out fresh and ready to wear next winter.

Clean the outdoor area and barbecue

In Australia, the holidays mean summer, and summer means time outside. Get the outdoor area ready before the heat makes it hard work.

• Clear away rubbish and clutter.
• Wipe down outdoor chairs and the table.
• Sweep the patio or deck.
• Check pool toys and accessories. Clean them, or throw out anything sun damaged.
• Clean the barbecue. Scrape the grill, then sprinkle with bicarb soda and spray with white vinegar. Let it sit, scrub and rinse. Always wear gloves.

Tackle outdoor jobs early in the morning or in the evening. The middle of a summer day is too hot for heavy cleaning.

After the holidays: start the new year with a routine

Once the decorations come down, a few simple habits will keep your home under control all year.

• Set a cleaning schedule. Break jobs into daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Keep daily tasks small. See our list of monthly cleaning tasks.
• Declutter regularly. Donate clothes you do not wear and get rid of broken items.
• Finish the laundry on the day. Fold and put away clothes, sheets and towels before they pile up.
• Tidy for five minutes before bed. Return shoes, books and mugs to where they belong. Our 10 minute emergency tidy up shows how much you can do in a short burst.
• Clean as you cook. Wipe benches and load the dishwasher while food simmers. Run the dishwasher overnight and empty it in the morning.

Too busy? Book a holiday clean

December is busy enough without a full house clean on top. If you would rather spend the time with family, let Absolute Domestics help.

• Before the holidays: A spring clean or deep clean gets the whole house guest ready, top to bottom.
• A quick catch-up: A one-off clean takes care of the jobs you have not had time for.
• Into the new year: A weekly or fortnightly regular clean keeps your resolutions on track. Not sure how often you need one? Read how often cleaners should come.
• Care-related support: We also provide aged care, NDIS and DVA veterans cleaning.

We have been matching households with trusted cleaners for more than 32 years. Every cleaner is police-checked and vetted, covered by $20 million public liability insurance, and supported by a local Area Coordinator. There are no lock-in contracts.

Demand rises in the lead-up to Christmas, so book early. Find a cleaner in your area or contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start cleaning for Christmas?

Start about four weeks out. Declutter first, then deep clean the kitchen appliances, then the outdoor area and guest room. Save the bathrooms and living areas for the final week, so they are fresh when guests arrive.

What should I clean first before hosting guests?

Focus on what guests see and use most: the entryway, living and dining areas, the kitchen and the bathroom. A clean guest bathroom makes a big difference.

How do I clean the barbecue before summer?

Scrape off loose residue, then sprinkle the grill with bicarb soda and spray with white vinegar. Leave it to sit, then scrub and rinse. Wear gloves and only clean the barbecue once it is cool.

Can I book a cleaner for just one clean before Christmas?

Yes. Absolute Domestics offers one-off cleans, plus spring cleaning and deep cleaning, with no lock-in contract. Book early, as December is a busy month.

How do I keep the house clean after the holidays?

Build small daily habits, like a five-minute tidy before bed and cleaning as you cook. Then handle the bigger jobs weekly, either yourself or with a regular cleaner.

Enjoy the season

The holidays are busy, but they are also a time to slow down and enjoy the people around you. With a plan and a little help, your home can be ready for guests without the stress.