Your home is your sanctuary. You do a lot to keep it clean all year long, and then suddenly at the holidays, you’re inviting people en masse to eat, drink and be merry inside your house. Preparing for your guests is key when hosting holiday parties, dinners and get-togethers. It’s likely you only see half these people in December, so be sure to make a good impression that will last till next year.
From encouraging people to remove their shoes upon entry to having your carpets cleaned in advance of your parties, there are many ways you can prepare your home to look and smell great. Check out these carpet and tile floor cleaning tips.
Match Your Food With Your Carpets
Yes, we said it. When creating your holiday menu, keep the color of your carpets and upholstery in the back of your mind. Got white carpets? Serve white wine, not red. While stain-cleaning technology has come a long way in recent years, you still don’t want to spend half the party on your knees scrubbing out the Merlot stain from a tipsy guest.
Use Shoe Racks and Boot Trays
At every entrance, place doormats and boot trays. To prevent sounding like a broken record, post a cute little sign at the entrances encouraging guests to remove their wet and snowy shoes. Here are a couple of examples:
- Because little hands touch our floor, please leave your shoes at the door.
- Friends, please help keep our house neat, with no shoes on your feet.
As a consolation for contending with bare feet offer a basket of booties or slippers for them to use and take home.
Add a Bench
It can be tricky to take your shoes on and off while balancing on one foot, especially when your guests are on their way out after having a glass or two of eggnog. Place a decorative bench for them to sit on and easily remove and put on shoes so they don’t risk falling.
Roll Out the Area Rugs and Hallway Runners
Area rugs and runners are a decorative and convenient way to protect your carpet, wood and tile floors from spills, stains and sharp heels. If any food or drink falls on the rugs, they can easily be tossed in the washing machine.
Clean Your Paws
Well, the paws of your furry friends, that is. To prevent Fido from tracking in mud before your party, wipe his paws each time he comes in from going outside. This will remove the rock salt and dirt that can irritate his paws, plus it will keep your floors clean.
Pepper Some Tables, Stands, and Trays Around the Room
With so many guests having fun in various rooms, mingling, eating and drinking, you want to make it easy for them to set down their wine glass or appetizer with ease. Place small tables and trays strategically in each room so no one has to hold onto their empty glass or risk spilling their food.
Vacuum and Sweep Before Guest Arrival
Before party time, vacuum all carpets and sweep all floors. Sure, you’ll have to do it again after the party’s done, but this is essential in making a good impression. Plus, after the festivities, cleaning up small bits of debris and dirt will further protect your floors.
Mop Up Spills Immediately
Spills are inevitable when having guests over, especially when small children are invited. Whether there was an accident with red wine, soda or juice, be sure to mop it up right away. But don’t scrub: just gently blog at the stain with mild soap and water and apply a stain remover that’s meant specifically for carpets and upholstery.
Schedule a Carpet Cleaning
You should schedule two carpet cleanings: one before the holidays and one after. The first one is to show off your beautiful tile and carpet floors and put your best foot forward, and the other is to clean up your floors after the festivities are over with. Hire a professional carpet cleaner in Metro Detroit to get it done quickly and efficiently.
Contact 1st Class Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services
Now’s the time to call us for carpet cleaning in Michigan. Reach out for a free quote on carpet cleaning before the holidays at (248) 491-3088.