Holiday Gatherings: Cleaning Tips for Every Room
The holidays are fast approaching — and for many of us, this means opening our home to friends and family. After months of working from home, working out at home, staycations, distance learning, and general cocooning, it's probably safe to say our living spaces could use some freshening up before our guests arrive. In this article, we’ll go over cleaning tips you can use to clean and disinfect those high-traffic areas in each room with the right wet wipe for the job!
The Right Wipe for the Right Job
Before you begin your holiday cleaning and guest prep, you’ll need to make sure you have adequate supplies. While it is possible to find uses for wet wipes in every room of your house, you need to use the right wipe for each task — and each surface — to ensure optimal effectiveness and efficiency.
Disinfecting Wipes
Perfect for cleaning hard, nonporous surfaces such as kitchen counters, toilets, and frequently touched items like doorknobs and light switches, disposable disinfectant wipes like Nice 'N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes are convenient because you don’t need a separate roll of paper towels and a bottle of disinfecting solution to achieve the cleanliness you need. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on how long to keep the area wet for it to be effective. These wipes will be your go-to tool for cleaning and disinfecting your home before your guests arrive — and maintaining your home’s freshness during their stay.
Flushable Wipes
In addition to providing a more comfortable and soothing wiping experience, flushable wet wipes are also more effective at cleaning your bottom than toilet paper alone. Nice 'N CLEAN® SecureFLUSH™ Technology Flushable Wipes are not only safe for well-maintained sewers and septic systems, they’re also biodegradable [1] and break apart 5 times faster than the leading toilet paper. Be sure to provide a supply of these flushable [2] wipes in each of your bathrooms for your guests!
Hand Wipes
While washing with soap and water is always best, hand wipes are great in a pinch if you don’t have easy access to running water, but still need clean hands. Nice 'N CLEAN® Hand Wipes are proven to kill and remove 99% of the most common bacteria on hands while also wiping away dirt and grime. Our plant-based hand wipes come in two formulas: 70% Alcohol and Antibacterial. Both are more effective than hand gels in removing bacteria, dirt, grime, and other impurities from hands. Slip some of these handy wipes in a welcome basket in your guest room, along with some travel-sized body wash, shampoo, towels, and bottled water to help guests feel more at home.
Personal Care and Cosmetic Wipes
These include wipes that are tailor-made for specific uses, such as facial cleansing cloths, acne treatment pads, and makeup-removing wipes. Body wash cloths can be refreshing on a hot summer day, after a sweaty workout, or in lieu of a shower during a camping trip. Having these available in your medicine cabinet in the guest bathroom will be appreciated!
ALSO READ: The Best Wet Wipes for Camping
Baby Wipes
Perhaps the best known of all wet wipes, baby wipes are specially designed with gentle formulas for sensitive and delicate baby skin. From changing dirty diapers to cleaning up after a messy meal, these disposable wipes are versatile and convenient, even long after your little one is potty trained! While formulas and wipe material vary by brand, Nice 'N CLEAN® BABY Wipes are made with purified water and naturally-derived ingredients that help keep baby’s skin healthy. Having some available in your home during the holidays is a great idea in case someone drops by for a visit with their little ones in tow.
Holiday Cleaning Made Easy
Before the cookies are baked, the eggnog is decanted, and the candles are lit, the house must be prepped for holiday fun! Fortunately, there’s a wipe that can do it all! If you guessed disinfecting wipes, then you’re correct!
Please keep in mind:
- Disinfecting wipes are not flushable and should be thrown away immediately after use.
- Disinfecting wipes should never be reused to prevent cross-contamination. Use a fresh wipe for every surface.
- Always allow the surface to air dry thoroughly according to the directions on the package to ensure effectiveness.
- Always read and follow the directions on the package before using disinfecting wipes. They are meant for hard, nonporous surfaces. Do not use them on soft furnishings, such as carpets, curtains, mattresses, and sofa cushions.
- If using on a food-contact surface such as a kitchen counter, rinse with potable water after the disinfecting wipe formula dries.
Disinfecting the Bathroom
Disinfecting wipes are perfect for cleaning your toilet, bathtub, shower walls, bathroom tiles, faucet, sink, and vanity counter. Be sure to use a fresh wipe on each area and wet the entire surface with the disinfecting formula on the wipe. Then allow it to dry according to the package directions for optimal efficacy. Contact times for killing viruses and bacteria vary by brand and generally range from 3 to 10 minutes. For example, Nice 'N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria [3] and viruses [4] in 3 minutes, including the COVID-19 virusɸ.
Once you’ve taken care of the major areas, finish up by using fresh wipes on the light switches, door handles, faucet handles, drawer handles, and towel racks.
For stubborn stains, consider a disinfecting wipe with texture for a more effective clean. Lemon-scented Nice 'N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes have a scrubbing side for removing gunk and grime, and a wiping side for cleaning and deodorizing. Plus, it leaves your bathroom smelling clean and refreshing.
Disinfecting the Kitchen
Use disinfecting wipes to clean kitchen counters (especially after handling raw meat), the stove, backsplash tiles, faucet handles, and the sink. They’re also great for cleaning the handles of the refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and microwave. Your trash can also deserves a thorough cleaning inside and outside regularly.
Again, the key here is to ensure each surface is cleaned with a fresh wipe and is saturated with the disinfecting formula. Make sure you allow all the surfaces to air dry thoroughly according to the wipe directions. Also, after using disinfecting wipes on food-contact surfaces, always be sure to thoroughly rinse them with potable water.
Disinfecting the Kids’ Room or Playroom
Ah, time to enter the domain of our little and lovable germ-spreaders. Following the directions on the wipes package, use disinfecting wipes on nonporous surfaces such as your children’s furniture, storage areas, and toy chests. While you can use disinfecting wipes on nonporous plastic toys, if your child or any of their playmates tend to put toys in their mouth, be sure to rinse the toy with potable water after disinfecting.
LEARN MORE: How to Clean and Disinfect Toys Safely
Disinfecting the Bedrooms
Use disinfecting wipes for wiping down bedroom furniture, light switches, and drawer handles. If you have a TV in your bedroom, give the remote control a wipe down as well as light switches and door handles. Depending on the material of your headboard and bed frame, you can also wipe them down. Again, allow the surfaces to dry thoroughly, and use extra wipes to cover all surfaces if needed.
Disinfecting the Living Room
While it’s not recommended that you use disinfecting wipes on soft furnishings like cushions, rugs, and drapes, there are places where a disinfecting wipe can be effective in cleaning and protecting your loved ones and guests. One of the germiest items in your house is the television remote control. It’s something we recommend disinfecting daily, especially if you like to snack and channel surf at the same time. Other living room areas that you can use disinfecting wipes to clean are tables, lamp bases, light switches, bookcases, and shelving.
FIND OUT: The Top 10 Germiest Spots at Home
Disinfecting the Dining Room
If you’re hosting a holiday meal, this is where the magic happens (besides the kitchen, of course). Before you set out the fancy china and silverware, use disinfecting wipes to clean your dining table, chairs, sideboard, and any other nonporous furniture.
Host a Nice and Clean Holiday Gathering
As more and more people get vaccinated, social gatherings are getting safer. But cleaning is still as important as ever.
Being a good host during the holidays has always been a great (and stressful) responsibility. It doesn’t only involve preparing food and planning fun activities and events; it also involves cleaning and preparing your home to help ensure your guests feel safe and comfortable.
As you prepare to spend time with loved ones this holiday season, celebrate with peace of mind, knowing your home is cleaned with the help of the Nice ’N CLEAN® brand. We’re here to help your family (and friends) stay healthy and well, one wipe at a time.
