5 Things to Clean Out Before the Holidays

During this time of the year, many people will have family and friends coming in town to stay with them and visit for the holiday season. That's why it's important to make sure your house is ready to accommodate your guests. Clean out these five things to make sure your house is clutter-free and ready to host. 

1.    Books & Old Magazines

Get rid of books you lost interest in or never read anymore. Books are great items to donate to Goodwill or a local school depending on subject matter. If you’re an avid reader, keep your collection looking fresh by only keeping your favorites and books you are currently working on. The same goes for old magazines. Rip out recipes or articles you want to keep, file them, and then recycle. This way, your coffee table and countertops will stay clean and mess free.

2.    Old Medicine & Products

Clean out your medicine cabinets and toiletries every few months. Its best to check expiration dates on products like medications and hygienic products to make sure they are still safe to use. If not, toss them right away! There’s no use in hoarding products that have gone bad. This way, if your guests are feeling under the weather, you'll be prepared and know which types of medications you have. 

3.    Kitchen Containers with No Lids

Get rid of containers that no longer have their matching lids. They will take up much needed space in your cabinets and will have no purpose to serve if you can’t properly stack them in your refrigerator for leftovers.

4.    The Pantry & Refrigerator

Just like old medications and hygienic products, food will go bad in the pantry and refrigerator. For the pantry, it’s a good idea to check expiration dates every month and throw packages away once the contents have been used. For the fridge, a weekly inventory of what’s fresh and what’s not is good to keep produce and meats fresh. It's especially important to keep the fridge cleaned out during the holidays, when every inch of real estate is very valuable. 

5.    Closets

Going into the holiday season, it’s great to clean out your own closet and make donations to help people in need. You can also make room for any new clothes you may purchase or receive as gifts. You may want to utilize storage bins to keep accessories organized. It’s also a great idea to make sure guest bedroom closets are clean to make sure that guests have a welcoming place to hang their clothes and store luggage.