Party hard, clean smarter
Don’t dread the after-party cleanup. Good tools and a smart strategy are all you need to make cleaning easier.
Party hard, clean smarter
Don’t dread the after-party cleanup. Good tools and a smart strategy are all you need to make cleaning easier.
Whether we’re hosting playdates, parties, or other holiday 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.
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 or unwanted smells.
- Load and run the dishwasher. Before the party starts, make sure your dishwasher is empty so you can easily load it after the party and avoid a smelly sink full of dirty dishes in the morning. 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. Keep a ready-to-use mop and Microfiber pad available for quick cleaning if needed.
- 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.
- 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.
Next day after-party cleaning tasks
- Let in some fresh air. Get rid of the smells of last night’s festivities by opening all the windows and airing out your space.
- Take down decorations. Any big party favors or centerpieces should be cleaned and put away to use for next time, if possible.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Clean floors. If you decided to let guests wear your shoes in the house, this is one of the most important tasks to complete the next day. Vacuum or dust your floors to remove large debris and then use a Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hardwood Floors or a Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hard-Surface Floors (depending on the surface), to rid of bacteria tracked in the house, clean up any spots or spills and give a streak-free natural shine.
For an extra clean, use the Bona OxyPower Wood Floor Deep Cleaner with 3X the cleaning action, powered by hydrogen peroxide, to remove heavy dirt build-up from your night of fun.