As Christmas gets ever closer, many Brits will finally be succumbing to the festive frivolity and putting their decorations up. However, cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, aka the Queen of Clean, has shared it’s really important to ensure your home is spick and span before you even get your decorations out of the loft.
But, you might be wondering where to start, what’s best to tackle first, and whether you can even be bothered. That’s why Lynsey has made the perfect checklist to help you.
Lynsey said: “It’s that magical time of year again, when the lights come out, the tree takes centre stage, and your home transforms into a winter wonderland.
“But before you dive into the tinsel and fairy lights, there’s one essential step that makes all the difference: preparation. A little pre-decorating clean-up makes your festive touches truly shine.”
Here are Lynsey’s top tips for preparing for your Christmas decorations:
Clear the space
First things first, know where everything’s going. Decide exactly where your tree and main decorations will sit, and move furniture around if needed.
Pack away clutter or non-festive decor so your Christmas pieces can take the spotlight. Think of it as creating a blank, joyful canvas ready to be filled with sparkle and warmth.
Give everything a good dust
There’s nothing worse than twinkling lights highlighting a layer of dust! Grab your duster and tackle shelves, skirting boards, window sills and picture frames.
These are the spots that tend to collect dust all year but stand out once the Christmas lights go on.
Check your electrical points
Before you start stringing lights, make sure you’ve got safe and accessible plug sockets nearby. Test your fairy lights, extension leads, and timers to make sure they’re in perfect working order, safety first, sparkle second!
Vacuum and mop the floors
Give your floors a proper deep clean. Once the tree, gifts, and decorations are in place, it’ll be tricky to reach those corners again. Clean floors don’t just look better, they make your festive setup feel more luxurious and complete.
Polish mirrors and windows
Want that magical glow to bounce around the room? Clean windows, mirrors and any glass surfaces. Fairy lights and candlelight reflect beautifully off gleaming glass, giving your home that extra festive sparkle.
Create space for storage
As your Christmas decorations come out, your everyday items will need somewhere to go. Have a plan for where to store your usual bits and bobs, it keeps things tidy and helps your festive pieces really stand out without feeling cluttered.
Add a touch of scent
Now for the finishing flourish fragrance. Once your space is spotless, light a candle or pop a diffuser with a seasonal scent: cinnamon, pine, or orange and clove.
It instantly transforms the atmosphere and says Christmas has officially arrived!
The final tip
A calm, clean, and clutter-free home is the perfect backdrop for your festive magic. So, before you deck the halls, take a little time to prep, and you’ll enjoy every twinkling moment that much more.
Lynsey Crombie @lynsey_queenofclean is ITV This Morning’s resident home expert and No. 1 UK home expert. Lynsey’s best-selling book ‘The 15 Minute Clean’ is available to buy from AMAZON.