10-Day Christmas Cleaning Plan to Prepare for the Season
Need to get your house in shape in a hurry before the holidays? Download this free 10-Day Christmas cleaning plan and your home will be in holly jolly shape in no time!
The Christmas season is a magical time of year filled with twinkling lights, joyful carols, and time spent with loved ones.
But if your home is cluttered and chaotic, it can add unnecessary stress to the holidays. The good news? With a simple, 10-day plan, you can transform your space into a clean, organized haven just in time for Christmas festivities!
To make it even easier, I’ve created a free printable checklist of this plan so you can stay on track without the overwhelm.
Facing Christmas Overwhelm
As much as I love the Christmas season, I always go into it with some stress. I like to keep my house clean and tidy, and I follow a simple cleaning routine that helps me manage my to-do list.
But the month of December is so busy, and we rush from one activity to another. All the hustle and bustle throws a wrench into the works of my days!
Not to mention all the extra stuff that comes into my home. Of course, there are the big things, like the tree, decor, and gifts that go under the tree.
But there are also Christmas cookies, gift-wrapping supplies, Christmas cards, catalogs…and the list goes on and on. And that’s before my kids go to their grandparents’ houses and open presents!
The secret to dealing with the overwhelm is to start with a quick-win plan before the craziness starts.
Why a Daily Quick-Win Plan?
The holidays are busy enough, so this plan focuses on small, manageable tasks each day. By tackling one area at a time, you’ll see quick results, stay motivated, and feel accomplished—without losing your Christmas cheer.
No one has time to spend hours cleaning and decluttering in the weeks leading up to Christmas. These short tasks won’t take a lot of time, but will make a big difference in your home.
10-Day Christmas Cleaning Plan
This Christmas cleaning plan will help you get your home ready for Christmas. Whether you’re having guests over or just want to come home to a peaceful home after traveling, this plan will work for you!
Day 1: Declutter the Entryway
First impressions count! Clear out shoes, bags, and coats cluttering your entryway. Wipe down surfaces and add a festive touch like a wreath or a holiday doormat.
- Remove shoes, bags, and coats cluttering the space.
- Organize any mail or papers lying around.
- Wipe down surfaces (console table, shelves, etc.).
- Sweep or vacuum the floor.
- Add a festive touch (wreath, mat, or garland).
Day 2: Tidy Up the Living Room
This is where most of your guests will gather, as well as where your family probably spends the most time. You want it be comfortable, and welcoming for everyone.
Remove clutter, fluff pillows, vacuum the floors, and dust surfaces. Bonus: Arrange any holiday décor like stockings or the tree ornaments for a polished look.
- Pick up and put away toys, books, or other clutter.
- Dust shelves, tables, and décor.
- Fluff and arrange pillows and blankets.
- Vacuum the carpet or sweep/mop the floor.
- Arrange holiday decorations for a cozy vibe.
Day 3: Deep Clean the Bathrooms
Scrub sinks, toilets, and mirrors until they sparkle. Replace hand towels with festive ones and set out a seasonal candle for a cozy touch.
If you have guests over, you can do a quick spot-clean in bathrooms they may use.
- Scrub sinks, countertops, and mirrors.
- Clean toilets and wipe down the exterior.
- Replace hand towels with festive ones.
- Empty the trash can.
- Set out a seasonal candle or fresh hand soap.
Day 4: Organize the Kitchen Counters
We spend a lot of time in the kitchen at Christmas time. Because of that, it’s easy for the kitchen to become a cluttered mess. That can make even fun times feel stressful.
Clear off unnecessary items from your counters to create a clean, functional workspace. Wipe down all surfaces and disinfect.
- Remove unnecessary items from counters.
- Wipe down counters and backsplashes.
- Organize small appliances or utensils.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces like handles and knobs.
Day 5: Clean Out the Fridge
Throw away expired items and wipe down shelves. You’ll need the extra space for holiday treats and Christmas dinner leftovers!
With the new year coming up, now is a good time to do a reset. Clean out condiments and ingredients that you bought for only one recipe and never use again.
Get ready to start fresh for a new you in the new year!
- Remove expired food and leftovers.
- Wipe down shelves and drawers.
- Organize remaining items (group like items together).
- Make space for holiday food and drinks.
Day 6: Tidy Up the Bedrooms
Focus on making beds, dusting surfaces, and picking up stray clothes or toys. This will create a cozy retreat for you and your family during the holiday chaos.
You don’t need to do a deep declutter. But if there are obvious things that you can get rid of, now is the time to do it.
- Make all the beds.
- Pick up clothes, toys, or other clutter.
- Dust dressers, nightstands, and shelves.
- Vacuum or sweep floors.
- Add a cozy touch (throw blankets or seasonal pillows).
Related: How to Declutter Toys the Easy Way
Day 7: Refresh the Dining Area
Wipe down the table and chairs, clean placemats, and dust light fixtures. Add a festive centerpiece like candles or a mini Christmas tree.
The table is a great place to add a touch of Christmas charm to the dining room or kitchen. Even if you don’t use placemats all year long, they add a touch of festivity during the Christmas season.
- Wipe down the dining table and chairs.
- Dust light fixtures or chandeliers.
- Clean placemats or table runners.
- Add a festive centerpiece (candles, greenery, etc.).
Day 8: Sweep and Mop Floors
I admit that keeping my floors clean is the hardest chore in my house! I feel like it takes hours to sweep and mop them. (Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.)
If your family is like mine, you spend a lot of time on the floor during Christmas–opening gifts, putting together Lego sets, watching movies, etc. So, I want them to be clean-ish.
Give all floors in your home a good sweep and mop to make them shine. Don’t forget those high-traffic areas like the kitchen and hallway!
- Sweep/vacuum all floors in the home.
- Mop high-traffic areas (kitchen, entryway, bathrooms).
- Spot-clean stubborn stains or scuffs.
Day 9: Dust and Wipe High-Touch Areas
As the big day draws closer, take a few minutes to focus on those areas you don’t notice until you have guests.
Focus on light switches, doorknobs, cabinet handles, and remotes. These often-overlooked spots can harbor dirt and germs.
Will anyone notice? No. But you will!
- Wipe down light switches.
- Disinfect doorknobs and handles.
- Clean cabinet knobs and drawer pulls.
- Sanitize remote controls and electronics.
Day 10: Final Touches
Now, it’s time for the festivities to begin, and you can relax. Take one last look around the house and take care of final touches.
Go through each room with a quick checklist:
- Is the clutter gone?
- Are floors clean?
- Are surfaces free from dust?
Add final festive touches like candles, garlands, or cozy blankets to make everything feel extra inviting.
- Walk through each room and check for clutter.
- Touch up any areas that need extra cleaning.
- Fluff pillows, smooth blankets, and straighten décor.
- Light candles or plug in festive scents.
- Add any final holiday touches (garland, stockings, etc.).
Bonus Tips for Success
- Set a timer. Dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to the task to avoid burnout.
- Play Christmas music. It keeps the mood light and makes cleaning more enjoyable.
- Delegate tasks. Get the whole family involved so the workload feels lighter.
Grab Your Free Printable Christmas Cleaning Plan Checklist
To make this plan even easier to follow, I’ve created a free printable checklist that breaks down each task for you. Hang it on your fridge or keep it on your phone so you can stay on track with ease!
Click here to download your free Christmas Cleaning plan checklist!
With this simple 10-day plan, your home will feel fresh, festive, and ready to welcome the joys of Christmas. Now you can focus on what really matters—making memories with your loved ones!
Let me know in the comments: Which room do you tackle first when cleaning for the holidays?
Merry Christmas and happy cleaning!
I love the day-by-day plan! Through the years I’ve learned that my holidays go a lot smoother if I outsource some of the work, so I’m actually getting a tile cleaning this week so I can focus on cleaning other areas of my house. So grateful I have your plan to look to this year!
That is a great idea! I’m glad the plan is helpful for you!