Cleaners Reveal the Exact Time to Deep Clean Your House Before Thanksgiving

Why clean ahead of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving often brings extra cooking, more people walking through the house and guests spending time indoors. Noah Pinsonnault, a home care and cleaning reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says a thorough clean beforehand can make it easier to keep the home tidy during the holiday.

Alicia Sokolowski, founder of AspenClean, recommends getting the bigger cleaning tasks done early. That leaves hosts free to focus on food and making the home comfortable, while smaller touch-ups can wait until the day before or Thanksgiving itself.

Start with the kitchen

Sokolowski advises beginning with the kitchen, including the refrigerator shelves and drawers, stovetop, backsplash, oven, microwave, sink and tap. Pinsonnault says grease-prone spots such as the range hood and backsplash deserve particular attention. Cleaning out the refrigerator can also make space for ingredients and leftovers, Pinsonnault says.

Refresh shared living areas

In the main living space, sweep, mop and dust. Vacuum couches, wash windows and throw blankets, and straighten areas that feel cluttered. Prioritize rooms guests will use or see soon after arriving, such as the kitchen and guest bathroom. The garage, linen closet and primary bedroom can be left off the deep-cleaning list.