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As the holiday season approaches with a whirlwind of excitement, ensuring your home is clean, cozy, and prepared becomes a top priority. To make this festive season stress-free and enjoyable, here’s a guide on how to get your home ready for the holidays, along with some timely tips:
Prepare the Pantry
A clean and organized pantry is a game-changer during the holiday season. Take inventory of items you already have, clear out expired items, and make space for new ones. Stock up on nonperishable food items like spices, flour, and sugar. If you can find them on sale, purchase extra to save yourself time and money in the future. Make a list of any nonperishables you will need during the holidays, such as canned pumpkin or evaporated milk. Canned goods are excellent to stock up on because they have a long shelf life. Once your pantry is stocked, you will only need to purchase perishable items like fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, and eggs closer to the holiday.
Clean the Carpet and Upholstery
The holiday season often brings increased foot traffic, making this a good time to deep-clean your carpets and upholstery. You have the option to either rent a cleaning machine and solution from a home center or call in a professional. If you decide to take on the task yourself, choose a day with minimal foot traffic. Be sure to pretreat any stains before cleaning and consider moving furniture or placing protective covers under the legs to prevent staining.
For upholstery, conduct a spot test with the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t discolor the fabric. Take care not to oversaturate the upholstery, as excessive moisture can lead to mold and mildew in the cushion fillings.
Do Fireplace Maintenance
Regular cleaning is critical to keep your fireplace safe and functional. Before temperatures drop, hire a chimney professional to thoroughly inspect your chimney and fireplace for cracks or deterioration. Afterward, they will remove soot, debris, and buildup. If you haven’t had your chimney professionally cleaned recently, hold off on using it until maintenance is completed. Neglected heating equipment is a significant fire hazard.
HVAC System Check
Before the cold weather sets in, have your heating system inspected and serviced. A professional technician will address leaks, make necessary repairs, clean and inspect vital components, and ensure safety controls are functioning correctly. Don’t forget to change the air filter after the inspection.
Change Ceiling Fan Directions
Dust off your ceiling fans and adjust their spin direction. In summer, blades should rotate counterclockwise to circulate cool air. In the colder months, setting them to rotate clockwise on low speed helps distribute warmth evenly throughout the room.
Tackle these tasks ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the festivities. Wishing you a joyful holiday season!
