How to Clean Up After a Party (Without the Stress

Don’t dread the after-party cleanup. Good tools and a smart strategy are all you need to make cleaning easier.

How to Clean Up After a Party (Without the Stress

Don’t dread the after-party cleanup. Good tools and a smart strategy are all you need to make cleaning easier.

For most of us, this year’s summer celebrations feel a little bit more special as we start returning to normal life. Whether we’re hosting playdates, parties, or other gatherings, cleanliness and safety are still big considerations. To keep your home clean and safe, it’s important to make sure you have an after-party cleaning plan.

Here are some party cleanup tips to help make cleanup a breeze.

Don’t do it all at once

Parties can take out a lot of energy from us, so it’s best to avoid overworking yourself after the party ends. Split the chores of cleaning between things that need to be done immediately and things that can wait until the next day. Tackle most of the after-party cleaning the next day to start chores rested and fresh.

Creating a simple plan ahead of time, before guests even arrive, can make after-party cleanup much easier. Empty the dishwasher, set out clearly marked trash and recycling bins, and keep cleaning supplies easily accessible so quick tasks don’t feel overwhelming at the end of the night.

Same day after-party cleaning tasks

Deal with leftover food. If there’s still food after guests are offered leftovers, place them in the fridge to avoid leaving food out overnight. Also, clean up any crumbs and other food related messes to prevent pests. Label leftovers before storing them so you know what needs to be eaten first. Toss anything that sat out too long to avoid food safety issues.
Load and run the dishwasher. Before the party starts, make sure your dishwasher is empty so you can get as many dishes loaded to be cleaned right away. For any hard to clean pans or serving dishes, allow them to soak overnight.
Wipe up spills and stains. Spills are harder to clean when they dry, so cleaning them should be a top priority. Treat any stains on rugs or carpets with the appropriate cleaning solutions quickly so they don’t pose a problem later. Blot spills instead of rubbing them to avoid spreading stains deeper into carpet fibers or upholstery.

Collect trash. Walk around your home with a trash bag and pick up any clutter guests may have left behind. Even better, make sure garbage and recycling areas are easily seen so guests know where to properly dispose of things. Remember to check outdoor areas, patios, and entryways—these are often overlooked and can attract pests overnight if trash is left behind.
Wipe down kitchen counters. Kitchens are notorious for being areas that have the most germs and bacteria. Keep the largest surfaces in your kitchen clean and sanitized with an antibacterial cleaner. Pay extra attention to high-touch areas like cabinet handles, appliance buttons, and sink faucets.

Next day after-party cleaning tasks

Let in some fresh air. Get rid of the smells of last night’s festivities by letting in some air. Letting in more daylight will help to see what you’re cleaning as well. Opening windows also helps improve indoor air quality and gives you a mental reset before tackling deeper cleaning tasks.
Take down any decorations. Any big party favors or centerpieces should be cleaned and put away to use for next time, if possible. Store decorations in labeled bins so they’re easy to find and faster to set up for your next gathering.
Empty the dishwasher. Those dishes you ran the night before are ready to be dried and put back in its proper place. Don’t want to deal with dishes? Consider some eco-friendly disposable plates and cutlery for your guests to use. Even better, choose a menu that’s full of portable finger foods to make clean up even easier.
Declutter rooms. You’ve dealt with the trash already, so make sure all the rooms your guests were in are back in their original state. Reorganize furniture, fluff pillows and put things back where they need to be. Before your party starts, make sure guests know which rooms are for partying and which ones are off limits. Lock doors to all the rooms you want guest-free. Doing a quick walk-through with a checklist can help ensure no room is missed, especially if guests moved throughout the house.

Clean main party areas. Dust and clean surfaces with an antibacterial spray. Clean with a plan in mind: start from the top down and move left to right/right to left. Don’t give yourself extra work by cleaning rooms in a random pattern.
Clean bathrooms. Toilets and sinks should be sanitized and wiped clean. Use a surface spray to clean mirrors and make sure important items like soap or toilet paper are restocked. Replace used hand towels and empty bathroom trash bins to fully reset the space.
Clean floors. Save cleaning your floors for last because dirt and debris from higher areas in your home will always settle on the floor. Use a microfiber mop and gentle floor cleaning solution to get the job done right. Work room by room so dirt isn’t tracked back onto freshly cleaned floors.