We all know schedules can get a bit hectic during the holiday season and before you know it, your guests have arrived at the door! There is no better time than now to get your Lake Martin home in order for hosting holiday gatherings this year, no matter how many you plan to have in attendance. The best way to avoid any last minute headaches? Take it one room at a time and the earlier you can begin, the better!
Consider these following five tasks your go-to list for holiday home prep and enjoy the season without any homeowner hassles!
Clean out the closets
Give your guests more room to hang their coats and store their belongings by purging your closets. In doing so, you can also make space for any gifts you receive or need to store before your holiday events. Start with coat closets and move on to your bedrooms as the former can be the easiest to clean out.
Touch up walls and doors
Throughout the year, your Lake Martin Alabama home can acquire smudges, spots and paint chips. Now is the time to touch them up, even before you deck the halls with holiday decor! Small sponge blocks can quickly remove smudges from walls, bathroom tile, flooring and even appliances. The last thing you want in your holiday photos are scuffs in the background!
Clean your appliances
During the holidays, the focus shifts from living spaces to the kitchen and dining room. You’ll likely be cooking up a storm if you’re hosting guests—or at least eating at your table—so spend some time addressing dirty appliances and dusty dining rooms. It is fine to scrub the inside of your oven and stovetop prior to cooking your holiday meal, but do not self-clean until afterward! One of the main causes of oven breakdowns during the holidays is that self-cleaning button.
Clean your chimney
Gathering around the fireplace is a holiday favorite, so make sure yours has been cleaned this year! A local chimney sweep will remove soot and creosote— residue that can cause fires. While you’re on this task, also spring for changing your furnace filter if you haven’t yet. Experts recommend cleaning your furnace every four to six weeks to ensure optimal energy efficiency.
Winterize your entryway
As you welcome guests into your home, their boots and shoes will need somewhere to gather! If you store shoes in the entryway, add mats for your guests to wipe their feet when they come inside. Mats will also keep your floors cleaner longer as the dirt can collect here rather than on your wood or carpet.
The Haynie Team wishes you a happy holiday season and as always, feel free to reach out to us with any questions you have about buying or selling a home on Lake Martin!
Becky Haynie, Associate Broker / Realtor
Lake Martin Realty
www.HomeOnLakeMartin.com
