We hosted a small gathering this weekend for our daughter’s 8th birthday party. We celebrated with family who traveled to celebrate her birthday and she couldn’t have been more excited! This year she wanted Mira-themed decorations and cake. Her birthday requests were pretty simple which allowed me to really plan for the arrival of our parents and guests who traveled six hours. While we put a lot of planning into the arrival of our guests (read this article on how to prepare for the perfect guest room), I learned a few years ago that post-party tasks are just as important! Cleaning up after a party is one task that I complete immediately after my guests leave for many reasons.
First, cleaning up after a party allows me to reset my home, which allows my family to quickly settle back into a routine. I have found with children this is important. Also, I learned that during a party there may be spills (especially if there are kids at the party) and slight damage. By cleaning up after a party, I can address the spills and damages quickly.
Let’s jump into the 5 strategies that can help you clean up after a party.
By implementing these tips after a party in your home, your home may become cleaner than it was before the party!
Knowing When To Clean Up
Don’t wait to clean up days after your party.
While the actual time that you clean up after a party will be different for everyone, don’t let too much time linger before you start to clean up your home.
One huge determining factor to consider is the time that the party ends. If your party ends during the day, you may be able to clean your home immediately after.
However, if your party ends late at night, get some rest and begin cleaning the next day.
Tip: If you host a party, try to clear your schedule the following day. This will allow you flexibility and built-in time to clean at your own pace as you may be mentally tired from the party. Although a successful party is fun, it takes a lot of planning, time, and effort.
Stock Up On Cleaning Supplies
Planning for a party will require several trips to the store. Often the week before Party City, Walmart, and Target seem like a second home. While picking up items for your party, be sure to also pick up cleaning supplies. Below are some cleaning supplies that are must-haves. Anita Housekeeping refers to these items as a first aid kit for your party!
- Paper towels or cleaning towels
- Counter cleaner
- Mop cleaner
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Multi-Purpose cleaner
- Stain cleaner
You will also need household staples such as a broom and mop.
If you already have these items in your home, you’re all set.
Clear The Rooms
Before you attempt to clean your home, you have to clear and declutter your home.
After your guests have left and the party has ended the first step is to clear your home of the party supplies and trash.
Party supplies are often reusable which comes in handy if you host parties on a frequent basis. Clean the party supplies if needed and place the reusable party supplies in a box or a bin.
After all of the party supplies have been put away, grab a heavy-duty trash bag!
Go through each room in your home and throw away all trash (plates, cups, wrapping paper, etc).
Our guests are always respectful and don’t intentionally leave trash in our home but there are always cups and small pieces of trash left behind.
Tip: Depending on the type of party, paper products for eating and drinking will allow your after-party cleaning routine to go by faster.
Clean Your Wet Areas
After picking up all of the trash in your home it’s time to address and clean what I like to call the wet areas in your home.
Wet areas are areas in your home that will often become wet. The bathroom is often known as a wet area but I also identify my kitchen as a wet area.
I often start with the kitchen.
First, clear the counters of any party supplies and put away any food that is left over.
Often there is food left over and can be used lunch or dinner for the next day!
Although paper products will cut down your cleaning time, there are some plates and dishes that will need to be cleaned. Clean and put the dishes away or load and start your dishwasher.
Next, clean your counters and sweep.
After you complete these activities, your kitchen should begin to resemble what your kitchen looks like on a regular day.
After cleaning the kitchen move on to the bathrooms. This is an important step as many people probably used this room during the party. Make sure to clean AND disinfect your bathrooms.
After cleaning the bathrooms, sweep the bathroom, and end with mopping both your kitchen and bathroom floors.
Your home is almost clean!
Reset, Return, and Reorganize
If you moved any furniture for the party, return the furniture to its original place. Ask for help if the items are heavy.
If you hosted a birthday party or party in which you received gifts or your kiddos received gifts don’t let the gifts stay in the boxes or bags. This will cause clutter in your home!
Remove the gifts from the gift boxes and bags, finding a new “home” in your home for the gifts.
If the gifts are for your children who already have a vast amount of toys consider rotating their toys. When you rotate your toys you simply divide the toys into groups, changing the groups out throughout the year.
This strategy helps kids from becoming bored with their toys.
Final Thoughts
Hosting a party is always a good time to connect with your family and friends! So many memories have been made at parties that we have hosted.
Pre-planning is an important piece of party planning but post-planning is just as important as well!
After a fun and exciting party, it’s always nice to have your home back to its normal state.
Cleaning up after your party will just do that!
What steps do you take to clean your home up after a party?
Read Next
10 Ways To Keep Your House Clean
SHHH… Secrets For An Organized Home-Free Printable!
Guest Room Essentials That Every Guest Deserves (Free Printable)
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