12 IDEAS FOR CLEANING YOUR HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

It's time to prepare your home for your guests, so follow these tips to get everything ready.

How to do a deep clean at home.

Christmas is fast approaching. That's why it's a good idea to get the whole house ready for the occasion. If you don't want to be caught unprepared and want to start the festive season off on the right foot, we're going to give you a few tips for creating a Christmas atmosphere in your home.

When the preparations begin, nervousness and excitement set in. We can come up with ideas and suggestions that, in general, can give the home an aesthetic change and a festive sense that brightens up the atmosphere. The most important thing is to give the house charm and, above all, to take care of the little details. That's where the key to success lies, and everything is available to design a beautiful decoration and make sure the house is full of details to celebrate Christmas.

You need a pre-Christmas cleaning plan. For many people, Christmas means more people, more food and more things to do, so it's a good idea to tidy up before the holidays and start making room for what's to come. Don't stress, because you don't need to tackle this task all at once. It's best to start in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Always start slowly so that cleaning becomes part of your daily life. Start looking at your home with different eyes and see the areas that may be causing you problems.

1. PREPARE THE KITCHEN FOR CHRISTMAS

The kitchen becomes our most important ally. In just a few days, it will be smoking to prepare the most exquisite dishes. For everything to go smoothly, it has to be in perfect condition, so get it ready so that everything goes smoothly and we can enjoy a delicious Christmas meal.

Fridge. Check the food - there's bound to be some out-of-date stuff or stuff in bad condition. Dissolve 3 spoonfuls of bicarbonate in half a liter of hot water and scrub the walls and shelves with a sponge. Leave for 5 minutes and remove any residues with an absorbent cloth. This will eliminate grease, bacteria and unpleasant odors. Here's how to organize and maintain your fridge.

Oven. Prepare and disinfect it by mixing half a liter of water with 250 g of common salt. Spread the mixture on the walls of the oven. Leave for 15-20 minutes and rinse with a damp sponge. These are all the tips you need to clean your oven thoroughly.

Microwave ovens. Clean the inside walls with a mixture of water, white vinegar and lemon. Spray on and wash with a sponge. Dry with a clean cloth. Please note: we show you how to make your microwave oven as good as new.

Dishwasher. Remove food residues, clean the filter and check the rotating arms. Switch it on and set a high-temperature program. After 12 minutes, open it and add a glass of vinegar. Let the washing process finish. Follow these tips to clean your dishwasher and eliminate unpleasant odors.

Freezer. Making room in the freezer is a good idea before Christmas, as there are often lots of leftovers looking for a home after the big day. Keep the freezer tidy, check every drawer and throw out anything that's spoiled. Meat should be consumed within 3 to 6 months, and bread only lasts 2 to 3 months. Beyond that, food will still be safe to eat, but its color, taste and texture will begin to deteriorate.

2. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DISHES

A few days in advance, take out the crockery, glassware and cutlery from special celebrations to give them a shine. After all, they're suitable for all festive occasions and help to create a beautiful atmosphere, just like the Christmas lights that decorate every corner.

The most delicate items should be washed by hand. Degrease dishes with vinegar or baking soda and rinse with water. For glassware, soak in lukewarm water and dissolved neutral detergent, then add a few drops of vinegar to the final rinse for extra shine. If your cutlery is steel, dry it well to remove limescale, and if it's silver, rub it with a paste of bicarbonate and water. A good tip? Use toothpaste to remove scratches from glass.

3. USE SMART STORAGE

Today there are all kinds of smart furniture that can be used for storage or even as an extra bed. Your home can accommodate more people than you think if you think outside the box. You can now buy ottomans that convert into pull-out double beds, cushions that turn into sleeping bags and sofa beds with space to conveniently store all your extra bedding. This means you can use your rooms for everything you need and, when guests arrive, easily turn them into guest rooms.

4. CHECK EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE

Take on one room at a time and divide the work into smaller tasks. The main problem is seeing a room as a whole, which is overwhelming, so start with small tasks. Set a timer for five or ten minutes and tackle a drawer or cupboard. If you do it little by little, you'll be able to clean the whole house in a few weeks.

Take several garbage can bags: one for donations, one for items you can sell, one for recycling and one for anything you need to throw away. Ask the rest of the family to share the load and take responsibility for different rooms or areas. It's important to be brave and know who you are. If you don't have time to sell your items, give them away. The main thing is to get rid of clutter at home.

5. CLEAN CHAIRS AND SOFAS

If your seat is fabric, boil a liter of water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and rub in the stains. If leather, wipe with a cotton cloth soaked in warm water and soap. For velvet, mix lemon juice and baking soda.

To decorate your Christmas tree in style, we recommend checking the furnishings.

6. ILLUMINATE WITH CANDLES

Ever created pretty nooks and crannies for candles in glass containers and had the wax cover them up? Here's a little trick: put them in the freezer until the wax freezes. When you take them out, the wax will be contracted, and when you turn them over, they'll fall out on their own. To complete the Christmas scene, we remind you that a touch of green never goes amiss, so add a pretty poinsettia and tend it with love.

7. CLEAR OUT YOUR PANTRY

With all the extra food arriving, it's time to clear out the fridge, freezer and cupboards. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, make the most of the food you already have and make room for Christmas treats.

Check expiration dates and put everything you need at the front of the pantry. When it comes to food, location and visual appeal are key. Clean, tidy cupboards make food more appetizing. If you don't have to push aside piles to reach what you're looking for, you won't forget it. Throw out anything that's out of date. Anything you don't want, but is still edible, you can donate to your local food bank.

8. REMOVE STUBBORN STAINS AT CHRISTMAS

It's always good to know a few emergency cleaning tips, how to remove stubborn stains, how to remove stubborn stains. If one of your guests spills a glass of wine on the carpet, don't worry, there's an easy solution.

Put paper towels on top and cover the rest with a good layer of salt. Leave for about 8 hours and then vacuum. The stain will disappear. You can also make a mixture with 1 tablespoon washing-up liquid, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 2 cups hot water. Apply it to the stain with a cloth and pat dry. That's all there is to it!

9. UNMARKED TOWELS

A lipstick stain on your napkins, for example, is a common occurrence. The best solution? Mix three parts water with one part liquid glycerine and apply to the stain. Scrub gently with a toothbrush and wash.

This way, you'll see that the stain has disappeared; however, it's always a good idea to wash them, bearing in mind that they'll be used at every meal and will be visible. In addition, we can give the table a neater look by learning how to fold paper or cloth napkins in an original way.

However, if time is running out and there's no solution to hide that totally insurmountable wine, chocolate or oil stain, don't worry, you can hide it with a decorative detail like one of these Christmas and Advent wreaths, which you can make with a DIY or buy.

10. DECORATE THE HALLWAY FOR CHRISTMAS

It's the place where you're welcomed into your home and your best calling card. The hallway is a great place to put the Christmas tree, but if you don't have the space, you can simply put up some Christmas decorations: lights, candles, garlands or mini mats. A cinnamon or ginger perfume diffuser can also be used to create a festive atmosphere.

The entrance should be a comfortable place for guests, so place a coat rack and an umbrella stand. If you want to add an original touch, place a basket of plush slippers in the entryway. It's a nice gift for them to take with them, and you'll be sure they'll be more comfortable when you're home.

11. DIRTY FLOORS?

Clean your home's floors quickly and easily with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner filter - perfect for high-traffic areas, muddy paw prints and everyday light dirt.

12. GIVE YOUR VACUUM A CHRISTMAS CHECK-UP

Your vacuum cleaner will probably be your best friend this month - give it a festive treat to keep it in top condition. Empty and clean the dust bin, clean all removable filters and check the hose and wand for blockages.

On that note, the entire Protech Allergies team wishes you happy holidays!