Is your kitchen as clean as possible ahead of Xmas?

[Corda]

Just trying to get some perspective.

I will happily put it out there that I am a neat freak. I don’t feel comfortable when things are unclean.

My kitchen is 90% perfectly clean. But there are a few deeper clean jobs I want to do. The thing is we will have people staying over and I just don’t feel comfortable cooking their food in an oven with a door that needs a degrease for example. My lot also rustle through cupboards and help themselves to things. I like that they do that as that is cosy to me. But I’d be horrified if they saw anything messy.

If I took a picture of my kitchen most would think it was spotless and that I was being ridiculous. But there are jobs that definitely need doing.

Dh is annoyed that I would rather clean than enjoy Xmas activities. For example we are due to do gingerbread houses but I would rather do them in a
cleaned kitchen. I am not deviating from the plan ie time wise. So not derailing just not “relaxing” as
my dh would like.

I assume I am not that abnormal.

My cleaner was in today to do a thorough deep clean while I meal prepped and everything is ready to go. I wouldn't be able to fully relax and enjoy anything if the house wasn't deep cleaned before this festive period

Are they oven inspectors? Kim and Aggie?

I've literally never stayed at someone's house and looked at the oven door to see how clean it is.

I do a deep clean before Christmas because I'm usually cooking for other people and don't want to give anyone food poisoning; I'm not so bothered about what they think.

My son cooked mince pies yesterday and a gingerbread train today. Luckily I am not cooking Christmas dinner here as I fear it may never recover. Am consoling myself with mince pies.

No. It's just our normal clean, not done anything special anywhere just because it's Christmas.

I doubt a deep clean is necessary to avoid food poisoning. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever done a 'deep' clean personally.

I'll do a thorough clean after I've finished baking tomorrow. It's clean enough to bake in, but it'll be totally clean once I'm done, ahead of hosting for 2 days.

Genuine question, why would you think a deep clean would stop food poisoning? Do you worry about giving yourself food poisoning from the state of your house on a day to day basis?

I totally get why people want a clean house over the festive season, but not to the extent of getting anxious about it or to the extent that they miss out of doing something fun instead.

Clean enough is clean enough. A greasy oven/door makes no difference! - any bacteria will be dead from the heat every time you use the oven. Yes it's much nicer to have a clean oven, but it's not a risk for it to not be absolutely pristine. As long as counters and chopping boards are clean and food storage and hygiene rules are followed, you're all right. No one's going to be licking the skirting boards or eating food off the floor.

No one’s going to be inspecting the inside of your oven. If it’s clean enough for you to cook food for your family, why wouldn’t it be clean enough for your guests? Unless, of course, we’re talking about a thick layer of grease dating back to 1999—then that’s a whole different story! 😂

It looks pretty spotless but I usually ignore the oven and I only clean inside the microwave occasionally. I know it looks clean because I had an EA over to value the house and he kept saying it was very clean. I don't do much though - probably twenty minutes a day on average.

I never clean my kitchen floor if we are having guests because a) no one notices and b) it's always muckier afterwards due to cooking and dogs and guests.

And I didn't even clean my fridge before I put the ocado order away. I might be a bit slovenly, but really OP no one is going to notice your cooker.

I was going to proudly say yes, but having read your full post, I'm thinking that by your standards... no. I am very much not a clean freak

I agree with your husband.

Some of my childhood christmas memories are of sitting with my Dad and siblings watching a movie on Christmas eve, whilst my Mother scrubbed (by hand) the kitchen floor.

It made me sad at the time, that she had chosen that, to be her priority

Mine is at normal clean. I feel absolutely no need to do a deep clean in the two days before Christmas. People who care can go and do their own Christmas.

Nope. No special clean going on here. I am chilling now. I am early 50s and used to run myself ragged with it all.

I am looking forward to making a couple of Delia's yule logs tomorrow and then I will put my feet up.

I was feeling 'blessed' yesterday that I could wallow on the sofa mumsnetting while DH was thoroughly hoovering the whole house. I think he feels more like you.

Also cleaner in today who leaves kitchen spotless - so hopefully all good when I get in from work.

Cleaners done hoovering and beds. Just done deeper clean of kitchen and oven whilst listening to Christmas related podcast. Now feel quite smug so not entirely unenjoyable. Have teens though so no one else wanting attention!

My MIL was like you.

Her kids used to ask her to spend time with them over Christmas but she preferred cleaning,

It was much more important to her to have clean house and "perfect" food than spend time with family,

My kitchen could do with a clean. Anyone who can't rest until it's spotless are welcome. Will provide beverages and cleaning equipment.

i want to see a picture of this kitchen!

I'm with your DH, I'm afraid. You sound very obsessive to me.

My exH has no memories of his parents playing with him or cuddling him or much at all. All he remembers is his dad working and his Mom cleaning. I think that’s sad.

Go and soend Some time with your kids OP.

If it helps, I can relate to the need for things to be 'right' before I can relax. It's got better as I've practiced doing nice things I want to do even when everything isn't exactly the way I'd prefer it to be.

I am normally the same as you, OP – I get really stressed about everything being spick and span before guests come, particularly my parents who are so fastidiously tidy their house is like a show home. But in October we got a Golden Retriever puppy and between the balls of floof, the mud she treads in from the garden and chew toys strewn everywhere, this year I really don't care and it feels lovely to be relaxed about it! I will deep clean the bathroom and whip the hoover round downstairs but beyond that everyone can take us as they find us.