Do you do a Big Clean before Christmas?

[Invasionofthegutsnatchers]

I don't usually. Just do things as they need doing. But today it struck me that the kitchen cupboards were pretty filthy so I've given them a good scrub and cleaned the windows. Need to tackle the oven 😱

Just realised how dull this thread is

@peaceanddove

We're lucky to have an excellent cleaner so house never gets grubby anyway. But I always book her for a few extra hours the last week before Christmas to get everything sparkling.

We do the same :)

I also book her for extra hours just after we take all the decorations down, too

No. Bed linen yes, but otherwise no.

The cleaner at work is obsessed with cleaning all the windows for Christmas though.

Yep! I've tried to do it bit by but this year but all I've managed is a good toy clear out and de-clutterung the living room and conservatory.

I still have all this to do before putting the tree up tomorrow:

Hoover whole house
Mop floors
Polish furniture and window sills
Change cats litter tray
Move dining room table and clean under it
De-clutter kitchen

For some reason every horizontal surface in my house gets covered in piles of crap!!

I don't even do a little clean. In fact, cleaning in December, apart from the kitchen and a cursory wipe round the bathrooms, is very much off. Not only am I working seven days a week, 12-14 hours a day, but DH is either working for me in addition to his full time job, or he's holding the fort with cooking, washing and ironing.

Did a lot of decluttering last month visit to tip and charity depot. Cleaned the carpet. Just got to do the windows and oven now 🙈

Need to cook and freeze after that

Nope

@TooWicked

Yes, well sort of, not myself. We had cleaners in last Saturday, 3 people for 4 hours, they do everything, windows, blinds, move all of the furniture, inside cupboards, etc, and the place is sparking from top to bottom.

How much did that cost, that sounds amazing!

No!

Yes I do, because otherwise we’re trying to blu-tack decorations to dust!

It’s the only big deep clean of the year, unless someone is come to stay. I’m 2/3rd of the way through and my body is exhausted! But next week I get to binge Netflix as a reward and relax before the fun starts. Podcasts are making it fun!

Not usually but I am this year as we've been so busy lately and the house needs a good going over!

I'm doing it in stages though; a couple of rooms at a time

I put Netflix on my phone. Downton Abbey that's helping me get through the jobs carry it in my pinny from room to room. Listening to below stairs making up beds, fires etc they're good company

No. If it's clean enough for us and any guests for the rest of the year then it's definitely clean enough for Christmas when 1) I'm busier than usual and 2) my nieces and nephews make a right mess!

As I've got older I've got over worrying about these things. No-one else will notice! And my house is never that bad anyway.

I have in past but this year my back is so bad I have struggled to do normal clean. I have a cleaner twice a week but can't do the in between cleans. I have not even got Xmas tree up yet as DH is unwell so can't get it done ATM. Feeling very stressed about it all.

@caringcarer

I have in past but this year my back is so bad I have struggled to do normal clean. I have a cleaner twice a week but can't do the in between cleans. I have not even got Xmas tree up yet as DH is unwell so can't get it done ATM. Feeling very stressed about it all.

Went to chiropractor had six sessions wow what a difference. I feel your pain @caringcarer

@justasking111, sadly my spine is slowly crumbling and it is far worse in cold. I had an MRI scan 3 yesterday ago and another about 2 months ago and it is declining rapidly. I wish it was muscular as easier to fix.

I do a big declutter of the kids' room about a month before Christmas to make space for the new Christmas gifts. Sell things of for a few pounds each. This year, I've sold half of what I intended and have made £70 to go towards their Christmas gifts.

My Mum always did a huge spring clean on Christmas Eve while we went out for the day with Dad.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER

Someone once told me that the best Christmas present she ever had, when she was working flat out and had family coming to stay, was her dh paying for a whole team to come and clean absolutely everything - windows, inside cupboards, paintwork, oven, carpets, the lot.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER

i would LOVE that!

It was clearly appreciated by the wife and the DH was doing his best to help. I think that shows consideration and love.

I used to.
Now I've just accepted that I'm drowning in a sea of shit and given up the ghost.
(The ghost of Christmas past)

i have managed to clean outmy bank account. Is the same?

I deep clean after the decorations go away, until then there is tinsel and glitter all over. I do a quick swipe with a duster and vacuum until after Xmas.

@repottingthescabious

i have managed to clean outmy bank account. Is the same?

Jealous of those who have a team of cleaners round to do a deep clean! In laws are coming tomorrow so the plan was to spend most of yesterday cleaning but ended up getting distracted by cleaning and reorganising the kitchen so the rest of the house is not great. Just wondering whether it’s too early to get up and mop the floors.

'Big Clean' upcoming at my house and at my elderly widower dad's.

No - I do the same cleaning I do the rest of the year.