Book your clean for one or two days before guests arrive and focus on what they notice: the guest bathroom, the guest room, the entry and the kitchen. Clean the oven before holiday cooking, clear space in the fridge and coat closet, and keep the day itself for a quick reset.
When guests are coming for the holidays, nobody needs a perfect house — they need a clean bathroom, a fresh bed, room to put their coat and a kitchen you can cook in. Here's a countdown that puts your effort where guests will actually notice it, and keeps the night before for wrapping, not scrubbing.
Holiday cleaning countdown
- Two weeks before: declutter the entry, living room and guest room. Clear space in the coat closet and the fridge.
- One week before: book your professional clean for one or two days before guests arrive. Wash guest bedding and towels.
- Three days before: clean out the fridge, wipe the shelves and plan where leftovers will go.
- One or two days before: the main clean — kitchen, bathrooms, floors and the guest room.
- The day of: a quick reset — counters cleared, guest bathroom checked, trash out, entry swept.
What guests notice
The guest bathroom
- Toilet, sink and mirror spotless
- Fresh hand towel and a spare
- Extra toilet paper where it's easy to find
- Hand soap topped up
- Trash emptied, with a spare liner
The guest room
- Fresh sheets and an extra blanket
- Clear space in a drawer or closet, with hangers
- A lamp by the bed and a place to charge a phone
- Dusted surfaces and a vacuumed floor — under the bed too
The entry
- Room in the coat closet
- A mat and a place for wet boots
- A clear spot for bags and gifts
Book your pre-holiday cleanBook any day from 7am to 7pm. Holiday weeks fill fast, so book early.
Get my instant price →Get the kitchen ready to cook
Holiday cooking is hard on a kitchen, so start with a clean one. Clean the inside of the oven before you roast anything — built-up spills smoke at high heat. Clear the fridge, degrease the range hood and empty the dishwasher before guests arrive, so you can load it as you go. A deep clean covers the inside of the oven and fridge along with cabinets, baseboards and door frames.
After the guests leave
Strip and wash the guest bedding, put the furniture back, and clean the kitchen and floors. If you hosted a big gathering, a standard clean the day after gets the house back to normal without losing your weekend.
Hosting in a rental or Airbnb?
If you're turning over a guest suite or short-term rental between holiday stays, our Airbnb turnover guide covers what a guest-ready reset should include.
Frequently asked questions
When should I clean before holiday guests arrive?
Do the main clean one or two days before guests arrive, then a quick reset on the day. Book a professional clean a week or more ahead — holiday weeks fill quickly.
What should I clean first before guests come?
The guest bathroom, the kitchen, the guest room and the entry. Those are where guests spend time and what they notice.
Should I clean my oven before holiday cooking?
Yes. Built-up spills can smoke at high roasting temperatures. A deep clean covers the inside of the oven and fridge.
How much does a pre-holiday clean cost?
A Good Maid standard clean starts at $182 and a deep clean at $277 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom home under 1,000 sq ft.
Can I book a clean for the day after a party?
Yes. We book any day of the week from 7am to 7pm, including the day after a gathering.
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