Now that Christmas is over, some of us are already busy gearing up for the New Year’s parties we are set to host. However, cleaning up after Christmas might be holding us back from relaxing and enjoying the holidays. To make clean up easier and less stressful for parents and hosts, here are a few tips.
- If you’re taking down the Christmas tree early or anytime before New Year’s Eve, make sure to do so carefully and keep all decor organized in boxes or containers. Good Housekeeping recommends preventing tangling of Christmas lights by wrapping them around empty toilet paper or kitchen napkin rolls.
- Check for stains on carpets, furniture, table clothes, and more. Stains are one of the worst things you have to deal with cleaning up after Christmas. Make sure you’re equipped with stain removers that are safe to use around young children and pets.
- Take time to sort and donate! Good Housekeeping recommends using the extra time you have this holiday season to sort out the things you want to keep and pack up the things you’d like to donate or give away. Toys that are no longer of interest to your kids can find a new home in an orphanage. Make sure you have containers for these donations by stocking up on boxes. ABC News also recommends cleaning out your closet for things that you won’t realistically use in the coming year. Think of it as a pre-2020 detox for your home. Do away with things you don’t need to clear up your space, stay organized, and clear your mind, too!
Bonus cleaning tip: 5 Effective Ways to Clean a Granite Sink via TipsBulletin
Cleaning Up After Christmas: Handy Stain Removers
1. Puracy Natural Laundry Stain Remover, Enzyme-Based Spot Cleaner, Free & Clear, 25 Ounce
After Christmas parties and the New Year’s bash, expect some spills and stains around the house, especially if alcohol was served. Don’t worry though, as Puracy is here to help. The brand’s Natural Laundry Stain Remover uses powerful plant-based enzymes to safely eliminate stains and naturally freshen fabrics such as your table cloth or even your clothes. It is an effective stain remover that works on clothing, linens, silk, carpets, floor mats, car seats, cloth diapers, and other washable fabrics. It efficiently removes grass, berries, blood, sweat, oil, tomato sauce, cosmetics, pet accidents, dirt, and hundreds of other stains and odors. The pest part? It contains no harsh chemicals, animal by-products, or petroleum-based ingredients, making it safe for delicate fabrics, greywater, and septic systems, as well as the environment. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Best stain remover I have ever used and I have tried a lot of stain removers. Gets out all kinds of stains – even food grease stains that have been through a wash and dry. I am so glad I found this stain remover and is the only one I will ever use so please don’t ever stop making it.” Amazon Customer
2. The Amazing Whip-It Multi-Purpose Stain Remover, 32oz Concentrate
Powered by natural, stain-fighting enzymes, The Amazing Whip-It effectively breaks down, loosens and lifts stubborn stains in mere seconds! It has an Earth-friendly, plant and vegetable formula that’s non-toxic, cruelty-free and biodegradable. It’s safe to use for cleaning the carpet, tile, wood, stone, upholstery and more. It comes in a concentrated formula so you can customize the strength of the cleaner as you please. It can be used both at home and in the office, wherever stains are present! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I highly recommend this product. I’ve used it for two years. It cleans great with no residue. Very safe and not toxic.” Jan Louise Hettich
3. Spot Shot Professional Instant Carpet Stain Remover with Trigger Spray, 32 ounces
For those who want a professional clean for their homes, go for Spot Shot’s instant carpet stain remover, which removes the toughest stains even without scrubbing. It safely cleans and deodorizes carpets and prevents stains from coming back. You won’t need to rub, scrub, or vacuum your carpet after spraying the stain. Works perfectly on pet stains, greasy foods, motor oil, red wine, blood, grape juice, shoe polish, cola, mud, coffee, permanent marker, and lipstick stains, a must-have for every post-party clean up. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I use this not only on carpet but on stains on almost any fabric. Most effective stain remover I have ever found yet has caused no damage to anything I have applied it to. One bottle lasts almost forever. I think it’s great.” David
4. Granite Gold Daily Cleaner Spray and Refill Value Pack
If you’re doing some major cleaning before the New Year rolls around (and before you host another party), make sure you’re fully equipped with the Granite Gold Daily Cleaner Spray. For those who have kitchens with natural stone surfaces like granite, marble and travertine or quartz, ceramic, and porcelain tile backsplashes, this surface cleaner is a great tool to keep your kitchen clean. This cleaning solution has a proprietary formula that is non-toxic, non-acidic and contains no phosphates or ammonia. It is biodegradable, pH balanced and safe to use on surfaces where food is handled, a great partner for your kitchen, especially during the holidays! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I have black granite that shows every single fingerprint and streak. I tried about 6 different brands of granite cleaner several years ago. This won hands down. Spray on, wipe off with paper towel. Keeps my kitchen clean, no small feat with 4 sons!” AngloTexan
5. Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover, 12 oz
We love wine, but the stains it leaves are another story. Good thing there’s Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover, which works on both fresh and dried stains without using bleach or phosphates. Its effective formula also works on coffee, blood, ink, fruit punch, sauces, red medicine stains, and even pet accidents. It features a fresh citrus scent that leaves fabric looking and smelling clean. Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Best product to have around for red wine or blood stain removal. We have a bottle everywhere we drink wine and take a small bottle in our travel bag.” J. Clark
Best Disposal and Storage Helpers to Help in Cleaning Up After Christmas
1. Ayotee Tall Kitchen Trash Garbage Bags, 13-15 Gallon, Compostable, Unscented, Heavy Duty
Cleaning up after Christmas can be a chore, especially when you’re hosting parties all week. Good thing there’s Ayotee’s Kitchen Trash Bags, which are made of Plastarch material, based on natural renewable plant starch extract. It is compostable, so you need not worry about using single-use plastics for your trash bags. These bags are compostable in your very own backyard or in composting facilities. It measures 23.6 inches x 31.5 inches so it can hold large amounts of post-arty waste. Help replace traditional single-use plastics and prevent them from ending up in the ocean by switching to more environmentally-friendly options such as this compostable garbage bag. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “These bags can handle all of my needs – they are stronger than the plastic ones I normally buy. Good for the planet and strong enough for my kitchen.” Hung Nguyen
2. Bankers Box SmoothMove Prime Moving Boxes, Medium, 8-Pack
Cleaning up after Christmas can also mean taking down Christmas decor and storing them for next year or giving them away if you no longer need them. For these needs, you have the Bankers Box prime moving boxes that can be used to store decor and more. It features a secure closure so you don’t need to fumble and cut up tape to seal it. The boxes feature strong, durable hand holes for comfortable moving and lifting and FastFold for quick and easy assembly. It’s also easy to break down and store for reuse. Great for giving away decor, storing gifts you won’t use or will donate, and more. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Used these to pack my things in my dorm to put in storage for the summer. They’re very sturdy and were so large that I had boxes left over. Great purchase.” Bree Will
3. Tenby Living Unprinted, Clean Newsprint Packing Paper
When storing fragile Christmas decor, make sure you have newsprint packing paper to keep them safe and clean for next year’s use. These clean newsprint packing paper measure 31 x 21.5 inches and are great for wrapping and protecting fragile items at home or in the office. This best seller is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Good quality sheets, and large and sturdy enough to keep everything safe. Smaller items I cut sheets in half. Much better than using inky newspaper, and thicker too, doesn’t tear as easily.” KBinBoston
4. Iris USA, 17 Quart Clear Storage Box, 12 Pack
Whether for storing toys that your kids are not interested in or storing Christmas decor, cutlery, tablescape items, and other entertaining essentials, these 17-quart clear boxes are a great helper for any home. It features a simple, clean design that lets you see right through to identify its contents. It features a snap-tight lid that keeps the contents secure and stackable for maximizing any storage space. These great boxes are made in the USA. Comes in a pack of 12 so you can store everything before New Year’s Day rolls around. Rated 3.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I needed them for storing away several lighter items that don’t get reached out often (meaning not needing to open and close the lids constantly). These worked just perfect for that! I stored away items that looked awkward without containers on my storage rack. My home looks way neater now. My money paid was worth that! I’m pretty happy with my purchase.” GreyDove
5. Sanjiaofen Large Storage Bin, Fabric Collapsible Storage in Wheat
Made of cotton and waterproof PE coating lining, this storage bin is great for keeping dirty tablecloths, table runners, napkins, and other post-Christmas party soiled materials. These bins are equipped with handles for easy and convenient use. It’s also great for laundry, children’s toys, and more. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This lightweight laundry basket is great. I didn’t expect a whole lot in the area of durability because of the low cost, but it has held up better than every other basket my kids have had.” Carrie Maples
Tips on Cleaning Up After Christmas and Detoxing Your Home in 2020
1. Declutter Your Home: Ideas and Tips for Decluttering and Organizing Your Home by Jodie Merritt (Kindle Edition)
Before the New Year rolls around, get your hands on this Kindle Edition of “Declutter Your Home,” a handy guide on how to navigate the world of mass consumerism that drowns us in possessions, some of which we do not need. This book will help you start organizing your home, declutter your house on your own and evaluate your reasons why you find it difficult to declutter. Rated 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This book takes you step by step through each room of your home. For me, it has helped me get past the overwhelming feeling of looking at an overly cluttered space and just start working.” Joseph A. Owen
2. The Truth About Clutter: Why Am I Holding On To This? by Sue Anderson (Kindle Edition)
This amazing book by Sue Anderson goes beyond the act of decluttering by delving deep into the psychology of why we hold on to objects so dearly. It features practical tips and knowledge, personal stories and firsthand accounts of the struggle to declutter. It also gives the reader a chance to personalize his or her own decluttering experience, because Sue Anderson believes that it truly is a journey and not an event. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Insightful observations about why we hold on to things. Not too heavy on case studies—gets to the point and recaps nicely. Offers good tips for moving forward; wish there were more.” DRB
3. Organizing Your House: The best tips and habits to cleaning and decluttering your home, solution for an organized life, the better ideas for useful decoration room by room by Emma Hemmond (Kindle Edition)
This handy guide from Emma Hemmond breaks down your house into rooms that you can organize without the stress. In fact, it’s a complete guide to every part of your house: living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, dining room, attic, laundry room, garage, and more! The book features revolutionary systems and methods to keep your home organized in 2020 and beyond. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I love a good organizing book and this one is great! I know because half my house is looking amazing and I am exhausted. I love how it is numbered by task and then gives you plans along the way. I had just done a heavy cleaning and sorting on my kitchen, so it wasn’t too bad, but the suggestions in the book had me going back and tweaking my own system and after several days I have found my tiny kitchen is better than ever.” Keri Haas
For more great ideas on storage and how to live better in 2020 when you’re done cleaning up after Christmas, make sure to check out these stories.
Holiday Clean Up Essentials, Rated by Those Who Actually Use Them
5 Best Storage Tips to Keep Your Home Organized in 2019
Eco-friendly Reusables to Invest in Right Now
Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services. Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings onto you.