Guest Prep Timeline

November 1, 2010

From the entryway to the bathroom, clean and freshen your home with our day-by-day timeline and downloadable checklist. Our easy cleaning tips and organizing solutions are broken down into simple, daily tasks that take the stress out of guest prep.

Before you get started, download and print our handy Guest Prep Checklist to reference as you move from room to room.

1st Week of November

Declutter your home, focusing on one room at a time.

Tip: Need help deciding what to toss and what to keep? Learn how to free yourself from unnecessary items in our article Step-by-Step Decluttering Tips.

Organize closets, especially those in the guest room and entryway.
Get your desk or home office in order.
Shop for essential cleaning supplies.
Stock up on essentials for high traffic areas, like the entry closet, bathroom and laundry room.

2nd Week of November

Organize the kitchen—don’t forget to clean out and re-organize the pantry!
Collect and organize your holiday recipes.
Clean out the fireplace.
Do a thorough dusting of your home, paying close attention to high-up areas and intricate details.
Clean and streamline your entertainment area.
Tidy your dining area.

3rd Week of November

Prepare your kitchen for lots of use in the coming weeks by cleaning it from top to bottom.
Clean bathrooms and the rest of your home.

Tip: If the thought of cleaning overwhelms you, consider tackling it in 15 minute chunks as you listen to your favorite high-energy tunes.

Gather extra blankets and pillows and buy more if you don’t have enough to accommodate overnight visitors.

Thanksgiving Week

Clean out your fridge to make room for Thanksgiving foods.
Launder bed linens and towels.
Shop for healthy snacks, like cheese, crackers, fresh fruit and granola, so guests have something to nibble on as they come and go.
Finish any lingering laundry to guarantee your perfect hostess outfit is clean and ready-to-wear the morning of the feast.
Clean noticeable surface areas that may have collected dust since your thorough cleaning, such as mantels, windowsills and side tables.
Iron tablecloths.
Wash dishes, flatware and serving dishes you’ll be using on the big day.

2 Days Before

Freshen hard-to-wash items, from furniture to pet beds.
Shop for fresh flowers.

Day Before

Set out floral arrangements.
Give your floors a quick clean.

Thanksgiving Day

Freshen the air just before guests arrive.
Enjoy the holiday with your family and friends!

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