7 Things Pro Cleaners Always Do to Get Ready for Holiday Guests

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means that, among other things, hosting season is too. Whether you are hosting a large holiday gathering, a formal dinner, a small get-together, or overnight guests, properly preparing your home for the event is a crucial first step.

Here are seven ways that pro cleaners get ready for their own guests before the holidays.

First Things First: Declutter You can sanitize surfaces and vacuum all you want, but if your home isn't decluttered it won't look clean regardless. That's why Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning's Washington DC location, recommends starting your party prep with a thorough decluttering .

This should go beyond your regular everyday decluttering. Aim to clear off surfaces and minimize the amount of stuff in the party areas (think kitchen, dining room, living room) for a tidy and inviting look.

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Tidy and Clean the Entryway The entryway is the first place your guests will see when they come into your home so it's important that it's clean and tidy . It's also bound to accumulate a lot of stuff during the party, particularly if you experience chilly fall and winter months when heavy boots and winter coats are a must.

Remove your family's coats, shoes, and boots from the entryway to create as much space as possible for your guest's belongings, and then give the entire space a good cleaning. Vacuum the floors and shoe mats, wipe scuffs off the walls, mop thoroughly, and sanitize high-touch areas like the doorknobs and light switches.

Don't forget to sweep and freshen up your porch too, says Angela Rubin of Hellamaid, a cleaning company based in Ontario, Canada. This will help make a good impression on your guests before they even step foot in your home.

Freshen Up the Guest Bathroom Give the guest bathroom a good deep clean prior to your holiday party. "This is a must!" Toner says.

This includes sweeping and mopping, sanitizing the toilet and surfaces, setting out fresh hand towels, and stocking up on essentials like toilet paper (let's not force your guests to ask you for more toilet paper mid-party).

Consider adding an air freshener or some seasonal candles to keep the bathroom smelling fresh.

Clean the Kitchen The kitchen is usually the heart and soul of the holidays, so it's an important place to give extra attention to during your pre-party cleaning. Wipe down surfaces, sweep and mop the floors, and give the space an overall deep clean.

On top of the basics, "ensure that all appliances are clean and ready for use—also, declutter countertops to create ample workspace," Rubin says.

Add some finishing touches by setting out fresh hand towels and some thoughtful seasonal decor to get your space feeling festive.

Wipe Down the Dining Room In addition to the kitchen, the dining room is usually a prime party space. Give all surfaces in the dining room a good wipe down, and sanitize high-touch areas like the light switches and doorknobs.

Set out fresh linens like tablecloths, table runners, napkins, and more, and set the table if you will be sitting for a formal meal.

Create a Cozy Living Room At one point or another, your holiday party will likely extend into the living room too so don't forget to give this space a thorough clean. Vacuum carpets (and furniture if needed), mop floors, dust and wipe down surfaces, clean the windows, and more.

Then, add the finishing touches such as fluffing the throw pillows and setting out throw blankets to help create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Add Welcoming Personal Touches While having a clean home is undoubtedly important when you're hosting a holiday party , Gretchen Boyd, president of NYC House Cleaners, says there's more to it than that. Once you've finished cleaning the important areas of your home, consider adding some personal touches to create a welcoming atmosphere and show your guests that you really care.

Boyd recommends things like scented candles , fresh flowers, a welcome basket with goodies and essentials, or even a basket of toiletries in the guest bathrooms (think mouthwash, mints, floss, sanitary pads, chapstick, and others).

With these expert tips, you (and your home) will be ready to tackle holiday hosting like a pro. However, Toner has one last tip that is perhaps the most important of all.