Celebrate the holidays hassle free this year
Issue date: 11/30/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
(ARA) - For some, the holidays means spending time with loved ones, traditional family meals and joyful gift-giving. For others, it's the cooking, cleaning and toiling that comes with having holiday guests. Numerous tips and tricks can help you save valuable time when preparing for the upcoming festivities.
A recent study by BISSELL Homecare, Inc. found that, on average, 45 percent of women spend three to seven hours preparing their home for holiday guests, and another 29 percent spend eight or more hours preparing. Organizing and cleaning guru, Donna Smallin, author of ''The One-Minute Cleaner,'' suggests the following tips to help you reduce prep time and actually enjoy the holidays fore a change.
1. Get started early. Make a list of tasks and check them off as you go. Some tasks such as dusting fan blades, polishing silver and ironing table linens can be done well in advance. You can even set your holiday table ahead of time. Plan to have everything done a day or two early so you can get into the holiday spirit and relax with your family and guests.
2. Declutter. Keep in mind that "less is more.'' Now is a good time to donate some of your kids' old toys and games -- and some of your own stuff. When you pull out holiday decorations, add the unused ones to the donations box and toss anything that's worn or broken. Keep a list of what you donate and be sure to get a receipt for year-end tax purposes.
3. Clean where it counts. Focus your efforts on high traffic areas: kitchen, bathrooms, living rooms and family rooms. And don't forget to spruce up the guest room. Clear space in the closet and provide thoughtful amenities such as toiletries and magazines. Stock the guest bathroom with extra toilet paper and towels.
In the family room and other high-traffic areas, nothing freshens up a room like clean carpets and rugs. A great way to clean them yourself is with a deep cleaner such as the new BISSELL PROdry. It as convenient as a vacuum, but the combination of hot water and cleaning solution will make your carpet even cleaner. In the time it takes to bake a batch of your family's favorite holiday cookies, your carpet and rugs will be clean and dry.
A recent study by BISSELL Homecare, Inc. found that, on average, 45 percent of women spend three to seven hours preparing their home for holiday guests, and another 29 percent spend eight or more hours preparing. Organizing and cleaning guru, Donna Smallin, author of ''The One-Minute Cleaner,'' suggests the following tips to help you reduce prep time and actually enjoy the holidays fore a change.
1. Get started early. Make a list of tasks and check them off as you go. Some tasks such as dusting fan blades, polishing silver and ironing table linens can be done well in advance. You can even set your holiday table ahead of time. Plan to have everything done a day or two early so you can get into the holiday spirit and relax with your family and guests.
2. Declutter. Keep in mind that "less is more.'' Now is a good time to donate some of your kids' old toys and games -- and some of your own stuff. When you pull out holiday decorations, add the unused ones to the donations box and toss anything that's worn or broken. Keep a list of what you donate and be sure to get a receipt for year-end tax purposes.
3. Clean where it counts. Focus your efforts on high traffic areas: kitchen, bathrooms, living rooms and family rooms. And don't forget to spruce up the guest room. Clear space in the closet and provide thoughtful amenities such as toiletries and magazines. Stock the guest bathroom with extra toilet paper and towels.
In the family room and other high-traffic areas, nothing freshens up a room like clean carpets and rugs. A great way to clean them yourself is with a deep cleaner such as the new BISSELL PROdry. It as convenient as a vacuum, but the combination of hot water and cleaning solution will make your carpet even cleaner. In the time it takes to bake a batch of your family's favorite holiday cookies, your carpet and rugs will be clean and dry.
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