The Ultimate Christmas Cleaning Checklist

Christmas is a great time to give your house a thorough clean. If you’re hosting, you’ll want your home looking at its best for your guests. But even if you’re not having everyone round in one go, you can expect plenty of friends and family popping by over the festive period.

However, with so much to think about, most people don’t know where to start when it comes to Christmas cleaning. Below, you’ll find the ultimate Christmas cleaning checklist to make things easier. It’s even broken down into a few smaller checklists, so nobody goes into panic mode!

Whole house

• Declutter ready for new presents
• Clean skirting boards, doors and doorknobs
• Bleed radiators 
• Clear cobwebs 
• Give windows and windowsills a clean

Bedroom(s)

• Change bedding
• Get ahead of laundry
• Clean under beds and around bed frames
• Wash curtains 
• Check light bulbs and lamps are working 
• Deep clean carpet and rugs
• This may also be a good time to flip mattresses

Kids room(s) and playroom

• Put toys away
• Tidy books
• Wash stuffed toys
• Declutter toys and clothes that they have grown out of
• Deep clean carpet and rugs

Hallways

• Make space for coats and shoes 
• Ensure doorways are clear 
• Clean doormat
• Deep clean carpet and rugs
• Clean the stairs and bannisters
• Throw away junk mail

Living room

• Clear a space for your Christmas tree
• Clean chimney and fireplace or wood burner 
• Wash blankets, cushions and upholstery 
• Clear your coffee table 
• Clean down the side of the sofa and under the sofa cushions 
• Deep clean carpet and rugs

Dining room

• Wash tablecloths 
• Clean the table and polish it, if it's wooden
• Get spare chairs from the attic and don't forget to clean them, too
• Polish silverware and glassware
• Clean chairs, including highchairs 
• Deep clean carpet and rugs

Bathroom(s)

• Wash towels
• Deep clean baths, showers and sinks, including tiles
• Clean the floor
• Wash bathmats and shower curtains 
• Sort your medicine cabinet, throwing out anything out of date
• Throw out empty bottles
• Restock guest toiletries 
• Stock up on toilet roll
• Clean toilet
• Clean mirrors
• Clean extractor fan

Kitchen

• Clean out your fridge, freezer and cupboards – bin any out-of-date food and donate any non-perishables that you won't eat to a food bank
• Deep clean your sink and drying rack
• Clean drawers
• Deep clean your oven, including the shelves, hob and splashback area
• Clean appliances like your kettle, toaster, air fryer and coffee machine
• Organise food storage containers
• Organise cleaning equipment
• Clean counters
• Clean on top of cabinets and fridges
• Clean extractor fan
• Empty and clean bins
• Throw out outdated fridge notes
• Mop floor

A note on when to clean

It's a good idea to start cleaning before you decorate – it's much harder to clean around decorations! If your decorations have been up in the attic for eleven months, it's likely that they will also need a clean before you can put them up. 

Hire a professional carpet cleaner 

Even with our handy checklist, Christmas cleaning is a considerable undertaking. Fortunately, you can take some of the weight off your shoulders by hiring a professional carpet cleaner using the NCCA’s directory of accredited cleaners.

Simply enter your postcode to find a cleaning company near you that’s been vetted and approved by the National Carpet Cleaning Association. Then enjoy fresh, clean carpets for Christmas and long into the new year.