7 Ways Pros Make Holiday Hosting Cleanup Easier, According to Experts

Reduce dishes from the start

Serving food in cookware or bakeware can spare hosts from washing extra serving bowls. Alicia Sokolowski, founder of AspenClean, recommends placing a heatproof trivet beneath the dish. One-dish meals can also limit pots and pans. Enrique Gonzalez, founder of Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy, says sheet-pan meals keep much of the mess to a single pan.

Make pans easier to clean

When a recipe permits, line pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make stuck-on food easier to remove. Gonzalez cautions that parchment must be suitable for the oven temperature and should not extend over the pan’s edges.

Prepare the kitchen beforehand

Before guests arrive, unload the dishwasher and empty the trash. Ryen Toft, founder of Simply Luxe Organizing, suggests keeping spare bags folded at the bottom of the can and clearing refrigerator space for leftovers or food guests bring.

Keep paper towels, microfiber cloths, multipurpose spray and antibacterial wipes nearby. Gonzalez says prompt attention to grease, sauces and drinks can prevent messes from drying or seeping into surfaces; choose a cleaner suited to the material.

Protect surfaces and guide guests

Toft recommends a self-serve drop zone, such as a tray or bin near the kitchen for used dishes and a labeled recycling bin. She says this gives guests a place to leave items without wandering into the kitchen.