Does the idea of cleaning house for Thanksgiving make you want to book a vacation for that week instead? Not to worry! You can use the tips from this printable Thanksgiving cleaning checklist to prepare your home for the holiday without the stress!
Congratulations! It’s your year to host Thanksgiving dinner, and you couldn’t be more excited! Wait, you don’t look super thrilled at the idea of having to clean your entire home for a houseful of guests, including your mother-in-law…and that’s okay. Thanksgiving is a beautiful opportunity to enjoy delicious food with friends and family, but it can also be kind of stressful!
Well, friend, I’m here to help relieve some of that stress with a free printable Thanksgiving cleaning checklist to help you get your home holiday-ready. We’ll take a deep dive into cleaning tips and “zone cleaning” and how you can use them to make your home warm, welcoming (and spotless).
If this is your first year as a host and you could use some experienced advice, hop on over to my post on 12 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner. I’ve shared all my best tips from hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 35 people in our home for the past four years!
Tips for Cleaning House for Thanksgiving
Before we get into the specifics, I wanted to share some general Thanksgiving cleaning tips and go into some more detail to give you a better idea of what I mean when I say things like “general decluttering.” Then, we can dive into the Thanksgiving cleaning checklist items for each room in your home.
Begin by Decluttering
I always say that you can’t really begin cleaning until you declutter. Otherwise, you’re constantly picking up items off your countertop so you can wipe it down or kicking around 500 Duplo blocks so you can vacuum. That, my friends, is a recipe for a mommy meltdown.
Decluttering saves you time in the long run, but you want to set aside plenty of time for this process before you start cleaning the house for Thanksgiving. I recommend using my Ultimate Decluttering Checklist printable to go through each room in your house and get rid of the junk in your home that doesn’t need to be there.
As you go through the decluttering process, organize the objects you gather up into four categories:
- Sell
- Recycle
- Donate
- Re-home (this means keep but put away in a different place)
You can make this even easier by grabbing four inexpensive plastic storage bins from your local Dollar General. Toss the clutter into the correct container as you go, and you’ll save yourself time and stress!
For more tips on decluttering your home, check out these posts:
- 30 Day Decluttering Challenge with Printable Calendar
- 30 Bags in 30 Days Decluttering Challenge
- How to Declutter Your House in One Week – A 7 Day Room by Room Challenge!
Focus on the areas where guests will be
As you begin to think about your Thanksgiving cleaning checklist, consider the areas of your home where guests are most likely to be. That’s what you should focus on. For most families, these rooms would include:
- Living room
- Dining room
- Kitchen
- Porch
- Mudroom/Entryway
- Guest Bedroom
I can’t guarantee that your mother-in-law isn’t sneaking into other areas of your home to see if you just shoved all of your excess clutter under your child’s bunkbed, but I wouldn’t be too worried about it!
Organize food storage areas
One of my favorite things about making the Thanksgiving meal is that everyone jumps in to help, but that also means that my pantry needs to be organized so everything is easy to find. No one wants to sift through a jumbled mess just so they can find some sugar!
Here’s a tip: When you’re organizing your food storage areas, like goes with like, meaning that all of your baking ingredients go on one shelf, canned items on another, etc.
Throw out expired foods
As you’re organizing your pantry, be sure to throw out expired foods as you find them. There’s nothing worse than your mother-in-law pulling out a can of chicken broth that expired 3 years ago! I’ve started using this printable pantry inventory sheet, and it’s been a lifesaver for organization and meal planning!
Don’t forget those chair leg pads
You probably don’t think about the bottoms of your chair legs very often, and why would you? It’s not something many people lose sleep over. However, it’s always a good idea to put felt pads on the legs of your dining chairs before hosting a big meal like Thanksgiving.
That way, you can protect your floors and avoid the awkward chair-scooting noises when guests pull their chairs out from the table.
Don’t forget about washing linens
It’s easy to forget about washing items like napkins, washcloths, and hand towels, but the last thing you want is for your Nana to clean her face with a toothpaste-stained washcloth from the guest bathroom closet.
I recommend going through your linens a week or two before the big Turkey Day, treating or removing any stained items, and giving them a good wash. That way, you’re not rushing to put everything back when other higher-priority tasks are demanding your attention.
Start early to have time for detailed cleaning
One of the best pieces of advice I can give you about cleaning house for Thanksgiving is to start early, especially if you’re hosting the meal. I don’t want to speak for you, but I assume you’d like your home to look its best.
Honestly, there’s just no way you can have time for detailed cleaning (like getting crumbs out of the silverware drawer tray) if you start a few days or a week beforehand. If you want to get a headstart on Thanksgiving cleaning but don’t know where to begin, check out my Thanksgiving Countdown Checklist with Printable post for some useful resources and a free printable checklist!
Clean baseboards
Cleaning your baseboards might not rank high on your list of favorite activities. For some, the prospect of weekly baseboard cleaning is akin to getting a root canal. If you’re solidly in this camp, hear me out – having clean baseboards can drastically improve how clean your home looks.
No, your great-aunt Marjorie is probably not going to run her finger along them to check for dust. Or she might. I don’t know your great-aunt Marjorie. But cleaning the baseboards should definitely be on your Thanksgiving cleaning checklist, even if you only do it for major holidays!
Thanksgiving Cleaning in Different Rooms
When tasked with a monumental cleaning job (like cleaning house for Thanksgiving), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is especially true if you only give yourself a few days to finish everything. I totally get it! One day, you’re taking the kids trick-or-treating, and the next, BAM! Thanksgiving is just a few days away!
Before you start feeling too anxious, let me give you a tip that’s helped me out in many a tight holiday home-prepping spot – adopt the “zone cleaning strategy.”
“Zone cleaning” basically just means that you can clean your home one room at a time. Separate your house into the “zones” your guests will be frequenting the most. Then, zero in your focus on those specific rooms, one at a time. Think of your living room as one zone, the kitchen as another, and so on.
A benefit of Thanksgiving cleaning in “zones” is that you put all your energy and focus on one room of your home at a time so that you don’t get overwhelmed and stressed by the prospect of cleaning your entire house.
Here are some Thanksgiving cleaning jobs you can do in each room to get your home ready for holiday guests:
Thanksgiving Cleaning on Your Front Steps/Porch
Your front steps/porch area is the first thing your guests will see as they pull up to your house on Thanksgiving day, so it’s a great place to start. You don’t have to clean out Hobby Lobby’s Thanksgiving decor section to make the outside of your home look super festive and cute. Just tidy up this area and make it look welcoming for friends and family.
Shake out and vacuum your welcome mats and doormats, then sweep and mop the porch areas and stairs. Wipe down porch railings and any outdoor furniture, and shake out and vacuum outdoor chair cushions. If you can unzip the chair cushions, take them inside and run them through the washer and dryer a few days beforehand.
Here’s a specific list to get your front porch Thanksgiving-ready:
- Shake out/vacuum doormats
- Sweep/mop porch area and stairs
- Wipe down railings
- Wipe down any outdoor furniture/porch swing
- Clean any exterior glass on the front door
- Wipe down exterior of the front door
- Set out cute Thanksgiving decorations – if that’s your thing!
Holiday Cleaning in Your Mudroom/Entryway
Just as your porch is the first thing guests notice about the outside of your home, the entryway/mudroom area is generally the first thing they rest their eyes on when they walk through your door. If you have kids, it’s easy for this spot to become a dumping ground for shoes, backpacks, coats, etc.
Begin by general decluttering, picking up any items that don’t belong in the entryway. Divide these items into the different categories mentioned above and move on. Next, wipe down the entryway table (if you have one) and any hard surfaces. Declutter coat hooks, remove any coats and jackets that are out of season to another closet or put them in storage.
Here’s a breakdown of the Thanksgiving cleaning jobs for the mudroom/entryway:
- General decluttering
- Clean off the entryway table
- Wipe down hard surfaces
- Declutter coat hooks – I always take our family’s coats off the hooks so that guests have enough space to hang their coats.
- Clean out any cubbies/drawers
- Wipe down/polish windows and doors
- Vacuum/Sweep/mop floors
- Wipe down baseboards
- Clean boot trays
- Clean entryway mirror (if you have one)
- Remove cobwebs
- Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Pair up and organize shoes on shoe rack
Cleaning the Living Room for Thanksgiving
Your living room is where guests gather to talk, watch those time-honored Thanksgiving-day sports, and snooze off a few pounds of turkey after the midday meal. Naturally, you want this space to feel as welcoming and spacious as possible for your guests.
Start with decluttering, then move on to dusting every surface, including the fireplace mantel, baseboards, coffee table, and bookcases. (You want to do this step before you sweep and vacuum.) After dusting, thoroughly vacuum the whole room, upholstery, and soft furnishings.
If you have a working chimney, now would be the time to get your chimney cleaned so that it’s ready for the holidays. This can sometimes cause a sooty mess, so aim to schedule this process before you clean your living room for Thanksgiving.
Here’s a list of Thanksgiving cleaning jobs for the living room:
- General decluttering
- Dust hard surfaces and decorative items
- Dust and declutter the fireplace mantel and/or hearth
- Sweep/mop/vacuum floors
- Spot clean upholstery, rugs, pillows, and curtains
- Vacuum upholstery
- Fold blankets and fluff pillows
- Set out photo albums or holiday items on display – I enjoy putting our family photo albums on the coffee table or end tables for guests to look through.
- Wipe down baseboards and trim
- Schedule chimney cleaning if necessary
- Create a holiday playlist or prep games for your guests to play, like this printable Roll a Turkey dice game for the kids, or this Thanksgiving Charades game that’s fun for both adults and kids.
- Check stock of supplies (coasters, candles, etc.)
- Remove any fragile decorative items or set them on a high shelf, especially if there will be lots of young kids running around your house!
Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist for the Kitchen
I always view the kitchen as the star of the Thanksgiving holiday, so it deserves some extra TLC! Organize your kitchen cabinets, drawers, freezer, and fridge to make room for the turkey and all the tasty fixings you need for the big meal.
If you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while, this should definitely be on your Thanksgiving cleaning checklist. A clean oven makes your food taste better and can also prevent the smell of smoke from filling your home (Eek!). Invest in an excellent oven-cleaning product or a reliable professional in the area who can get your oven in tip-top shape for Thanksgiving.
The oven isn’t the only appliance in your kitchen that needs extra attention for the Thanksgiving holiday – you need to clean and wipe out the fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and range hood. Remove any outdated food from your refrigerator and wipe down the inside shelves and drawers with warm water and a soft sponge.
Here are the Thanksgiving cleaning jobs for the kitchen:
- Clean out and organize fridge/freezer – This is a great time to use the free printable freezer inventory sheet!
- Clean out and organize pantry
- Declutter countertops and flat surfaces – You’ll need every bit of counter space for all those delicious Thanksgiving dishes! Get my best tips to declutter kitchen countertops here!
- Clean/Wipe down oven – You don’t want to put your Thanksgiving turkey in a dirty oven!
- Wipe down the outside of cabinets
- Dust light fixtures, top of fridge and microwave, etc.
- Wipe down baseboards and door trim
- Shake out/vacuum kitchen rugs
- Wash/swap out kitchen towels/rags – this is the perfect time to break out your seasonal dishcloths!
- Wipe down countertops
- Sweep/mop floors
- Replenish supplies (paper towels, dish soap)
- Check dishes/utensils for cleanliness – My holiday dishes tend to get a little dusty and grimy since I only use them a few times a year. It’s a good idea to check these beforehand so that you’re not giving guests dirty utensils!
Cleaning the Dining Area for the Thanksgiving Meal
The dining room seems pretty basic to clean, but there are little jobs that you might miss if you’re not careful. Take inventory of your cutlery, glasses, bowls, and plates to make sure you have enough for all your guests. If you’re using fancier dishes that haven’t seen the light of day since last Thanksgiving, they might also need an extra wash to ensure they’re clean and ready for use.
Now is also the perfect time to take stock of how many guests you will have. Do you have enough table settings for everyone? Will everyone fit at the table, or do you need to grab another table and more chairs for the younger kids?
Here is a Thanksgiving cleaning checklist for the dining room:
- General decluttering – Our dining room table is the hub for homework, meals, etc., so it tends to get a little messy if I don’t stay on top of things.
- Dust furniture and decorative items
- Wash tablecloths and napkins
- Spot clean seat cushions
- Check under chair legs for felt pads and replace if needed – I always check this before hosting big meals because I want my hard floors to stay protected as guests get up for seconds (and sometimes thirds!). It also helps the chairs slide smoothly on the floor as they’re pushed back from under the table.
- Dust/Wipe down baseboards and trim
- Get holiday dinnerware ready
- Bring out extra chairs, tables or table leaf
- Set out ice bucket or prep a drink station – You can also set out mason jars or ramekins with sweeteners, stir sticks, etc.
- Sweep/mop/vacuum floors
- Check your supplies for holiday meals/dining room (salt & pepper, napkins, etc.)
- Arrange a holiday table centerpiece
Getting the Bathrooms Ready for Guests
Ah, the bathrooms…everyone’s least favorite cleaning job, yet some of the most essential rooms in your home! If you’re having guests staying overnight, this is the best time to deep clean your bathrooms and accomplish those cleaning tasks you don’t do as often as perhaps you should.
First, add the cleaner to the toilet and spray all surfaces with a disinfectant spray so they can de-germ those areas while you work on others. I like to focus on the top and work my way down, so I’m not doing the floors first and then getting them dirty again with grime from the ceiling.
Here are the Thanksgiving cleaning jobs for the bathroom:
- Declutter vanity surface
- Wipe down the outside of vanity cabinet
- Clean sinks, faucets, countertop
- Clean mirror, toilet, tub/shower
- Clean/dust baseboards and door trim
- Check for needed repairs (leaks, grout, calk)
- Launder towels, washcloths, hand towels
- Shake out/vacuum bathroom rugs
- Sweep/mop floors
- Check supplies (toilet paper, soap, etc.)
- Set out air freshener spray, Kleenex, etc.
Thanksgiving Cleaning the Guest Room
You’re not going to have loads of traffic going through your guest bedrooms, but that doesn’t mean they don’t take time and effort to prepare and clean. I recommend getting your guest bedrooms ready a few weeks before Thanksgiving.
Getting the guest room ready for Thanksgiving includes:
- General decluttering
- Washing, dry, and iron bedding
- Clean and deodorize the mattress – You can sprinkle baking soda on the mattress as an inexpensive method of deodorizing any smells. Let it sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours, and then vacuum it up.
- Wash any extra quilts or comforters
- Vacuum/Sweep the floor
- Vacuum upholstery
- Dust and clean all hard surfaces
- Ensure any adjoining bathrooms are clean
- Prepare additional storage areas – These would be extra drawers or closet space if you have guests who are staying awhile.
- Set out fresh towels
- Wipe down baseboards and door trim
- Dust/clean blinds, curtains, rods
- Write wi-fi password on a piece of paper or card stock for guests
- Make sure you have extra pillows/blankets in the guest room
- Consider making a “Welcome basket” for overnight guests
Free Printable Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist
Want this list of Thanksgiving cleaning jobs in checklist form? I’ve got a free printable Thanksgiving cleaning checklist for you to use as you tidy each area of your home! I find that having a checklist and being able to actually mark things off my list helps me to stay motivated and not forget any of the (many!) cleaning jobs!
Just click the link below to download the Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist template. A new window will open in Dropbox, and from there you can download the PDF to your device and print it out!
Click HERE for the Free Printable Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist
I hope this Thanksgiving cleaning checklist helps you prepare for the holiday and feel a little less overwhelmed about getting your house in tip-top shape!
What do you do to clean house for Thanksgiving and prepare for holiday guests? Any hospitality tips you have? If so, drop me a comment down below! And happy nesting!
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