As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to talk about Holiday Home Prep! I know the thought of cleaning can feel like an uphill battle—who really has time for that? But here’s a clever hack: before you dive into scrubbing every surface, grab your heavy-duty cleaning supplies at Target or Walmart, and trust me, you’ll be breezing through your kitchen in no time!
✨ Smart Solutions in 4 Quick Points:
- Supplies on Standby: 🛒 Before diving into cleaning, hit up Target or Walmart. Grab a heavy-duty multi-surface cleaner like Pine-Sol, some microfiber cloths, and plenty of sponges. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
- One Area at a Time: 🚪 Tackle the kitchen chaos by focusing on one spot. Start with the fridge—clear it out, check those expiration dates (ew!), and give it a good scrub. Use baking soda and warm water for stubborn stains. It’s natural magic! ✨
- The Oven Secret: 🔥 Your oven’s been working hard for those holiday feasts! Spray it down with Easy-Off, let it sit, and while you wait, tackle that junk drawer you’ve been avoiding. And if those racks are filthy, soak them in hot water with dish soap and vinegar for an easy clean!
- Organize & Shine: 🗂️ Once everything sparkles, organize like a pro! Use affordable drawer organizers from the Dollar Store, label everything, and give your pantry some love. Toss expired items and group similar things together—your future self will be so grateful when you’re whipping up that Thanksgiving feast! 🎉
Get Your Supplies Ready Without the Stress
So, before you even think about scrubbing every inch of your kitchen, let’s gather what you need. Head to Target or Walmart and grab some heavy-duty cleaning supplies. I’m talking about a good multi-surface cleaner like Pine-Sol or Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. Don’t forget microfiber cloths—they’re a game changer! And sponges? Stock up on those too! You’ll want some scrub brushes for the tough spots. A couple of buckets will also come in handy.
A Game Plan: Tackle One Area at a Time
Now that you have your supplies, it’s time to get organized. You don’t want to feel like you’re drowning in chaos. Break it down into smaller tasks. Start with the refrigerator. Pull everything out, check expiration dates (yikes!), and give those shelves a good wipe-down with your multi-surface cleaner.
Fridge Cleaning Hack
Here’s a little trick: use baking soda mixed with warm water for stubborn stains inside your fridge. It’s natural and super effective! Once it’s clean, consider placing an open box of baking soda inside to keep odors at bay until Thanksgiving.
The Oven: Your Secret Weapon for Thanksgiving Dinner
Let’s not forget the oven—your little workhorse for holiday feasts! If you haven’t cleaned it in ages, don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Use an oven cleaner like Easy-Off. Just spray it down, let it sit while you tackle other areas (like that junk drawer you’ve been avoiding). Set a timer so you don’t forget about it!
How to Organize Your Basement So You Can Find Holiday Decorations in 5 Minutes
Quick Tip for Deep Cleaning
If you’ve got oven racks that look like they’ve seen better days, soak them in hot water mixed with dish soap and a bit of vinegar. After about 30 minutes, they should wipe clean without too much elbow grease.
Sink & Countertops: Make ‘Em Shine!
The kitchen sink is often overlooked but usually gets pretty grimy. Grab some baking soda and mix it with vinegar to create a paste—apply this to any stains or build-up on your sink, scrub with a sponge, and watch the magic happen! And while we’re at it, don’t forget your countertops; they need love too! Use a dedicated countertop cleaner for best results.
Tackle Those Knobs and Handles
Oh! And remember to wipe down all cabinet knobs and handles—they can harbor so much grime! A simple solution of hot soapy water does wonders here.
Pans & Utensils: Time to Shine!
Moving on to pans and utensils: anything that has seen action over the last year probably needs some TLC. Soak those pots and pans in hot water mixed with dish soap while you’re cleaning other areas—it makes scrubbing off baked-on food way easier!
A Handy Gadget Alert: If you don’t own one yet, invest in a good scrubber brush like the ones from Dawn. They save time when dealing with tough messes.
The Finishing Touch: Organize Like a Pro!
Once everything is clean, let’s organize! This is where the fun begins! Use drawer organizers from the Dollar Store. They’re super affordable and perfect for utensils or gadgets. Labeling is key—don’t skip this step! Get some cute labels to stick on containers so everyone knows where things go.
Your Pantry Needs Love Too!
While you’re at it, check out your pantry. Toss anything expired (seriously!) and group similar items together—canned goods here, spices there. It’ll be way easier when you’re cooking up that Thanksgiving feast!
Your Kitchen Will Be Holiday-Ready!
Trust me, breaking this task down into manageable parts will save your sanity as Thanksgiving approaches. By focusing on one area at a time—and getting creative with cleaning hacks—you’ll have your kitchen shining without feeling overwhelmed. Plus? You’ll impress all your guests when they see how fabulous everything looks during the feast!
