Key Takeaways
- Start one week before guests arrive — spreading preparation over several days prevents last-minute panic.
- Focus on the spaces guests actually use — guest room, guest bathroom, kitchen, living area, and entryway.
- Clean from top to bottom, deep to surface — do the heavy cleaning early in the week and save light touch-ups for the day guests arrive.
- Stock essentials your guests might need — fresh towels, toiletries, phone charger, extra blanket, and clear closet space.
- A welcoming home is not a perfect home — warmth, comfort, and a clean bathroom matter more than spotless baseboards.
Having guests for the holidays is wonderful — and stressful. You want your home to feel warm and welcoming, but the combination of deep cleaning, cooking, shopping, and preparation can feel overwhelming, especially when you are already busy with the regular demands of the season.
The secret to stress-free holiday hosting is starting early and focusing on what matters most. Your guests are not going to inspect your baseboards or check behind the refrigerator. They will notice a clean bathroom, a comfortable bed, fresh towels, and a home that smells good and feels inviting.
This guide gives you a day-by-day timeline for the week before guests arrive, so you can spread the work out and actually enjoy the holidays instead of scrubbing the oven at midnight.
One Week Before: Deep Cleaning Phase
This is when you do the heavy lifting. The tasks this week are the ones that take real time and effort but only need to be done once.
Day 7: Guest Room and Linens
- Wash all guest bedding — sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover, and blankets
- Flip or rotate the guest mattress if needed
- Vacuum the guest room thoroughly, including under the bed and in closet corners
- Dust all surfaces, window sills, and light fixtures
- Clear closet space — move your stored items elsewhere and provide at least 5-6 empty hangers
- Make the bed with fresh linens and add an extra blanket at the foot
- Place a small waste basket in the room
Day 6: Guest Bathroom Deep Clean
- Scrub the shower or tub — grout, glass doors or curtain, fixtures
- Deep clean the toilet inside and out
- Scrub the sink and polish the faucet
- Clean the mirror
- Wash the floor, including behind the toilet and around the base
- Wash or replace the shower curtain liner if it is discolored
- Replace bath mat with a fresh one
- Check the exhaust fan — clean it if it is dusty
Day 5: Kitchen Deep Clean
- Clean the oven (especially if you will be cooking holiday meals)
- Clean the refrigerator — remove old food, wipe shelves, make room for holiday groceries
- Clean the microwave inside and out
- Wipe all countertops and backsplash
- Clean the stovetop and range hood
- Run the dishwasher empty with a cleaning tablet
- Clean the garbage disposal (ice cubes and lemon work well)
Day 4: Living Areas
- Vacuum all upholstered furniture — cushions, under cushions, arms, and backs
- Dust all surfaces, shelves, entertainment centers, and decor
- Clean windows (at least the ones at eye level — guests notice these)
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Fluff or replace throw pillows
- Wash any throw blankets
Three Days Before: Setup and Stocking
Day 3: Stock Guest Essentials
Think about what your guests might need and provide it so they do not have to ask:
- Guest bathroom: Fresh towels (two per guest), a new bar of soap or hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a spare toothbrush, tissues
- Guest room: A phone charger (multi-type), bedside water carafe or glass, reading lamp that works, alarm clock or a note with the Wi-Fi password
- General: Extra toilet paper easily accessible (not hidden), extra blankets, information about the house (thermostat instructions, where things are)
Day 2: Entryway and Common Areas
- Clean and organize the entryway — this is the first thing guests see
- Clear coat closet space for guest jackets and bags
- Set out a shoe rack or mat if you prefer shoes off
- Make sure exterior lights work — guests may arrive after dark
- Vacuum and mop main traffic paths one more time
- Take care of any remaining laundry — you do not want baskets of clothes visible in shared spaces
Day of Arrival: Final Touches
You have already done the hard work. Today is about quick finishing touches that make the house feel fresh and welcoming.
- Do a quick wipe-down of kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces
- Put fresh hand towels in the bathrooms
- Run a quick vacuum over main floors
- Take out the trash
- Light a candle or simmer cinnamon and orange on the stove — scent sets the mood
- Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature (68-70 degrees is a safe bet)
- Put out a small welcome snack — fruit bowl, cookies, or nuts — in the guest room or kitchen
- Make sure there is clear counter space in the kitchen for guests who want to help with meals
The Perfect Guest Room Checklist
| Category | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bed | Clean sheets, pillows, duvet, extra blanket | Provide two pillow firmness options if possible |
| Lighting | Working bedside lamp | Guests need to read or check phones at night |
| Storage | Empty hangers, empty drawer, luggage rack or bench | Somewhere to put a suitcase off the floor |
| Electronics | Phone charger, Wi-Fi password, working outlet near bed | Write the Wi-Fi password on a card |
| Comfort | Water glass or bottle, tissues, waste basket | Small touches that show you thought of them |
| Privacy | Door that closes fully, window coverings that block light | Essential for good sleep |
When to Bring In Professional Help
If the week before guests arrive is already packed with holiday shopping, cooking, and work, consider outsourcing the deep cleaning. A professional cleaning service can handle the Day 4-7 tasks in a single appointment — usually 3-5 hours — and free up your time for the personal touches that make hosting special.
Otesse offers pre-holiday deep cleaning designed specifically for hosts. Our cleaners focus on the spaces guests will use most, and we can typically schedule within a few days. Book early during the holiday season, though — November and December are our busiest months.
Enjoy Your Guests
The goal of all this preparation is not to impress your guests — it is to free yourself from worrying about the house so you can actually enjoy their visit. A clean home, a comfortable guest room, a stocked bathroom, and a welcoming atmosphere are all your guests need. Everything else is a bonus.
Start early, spread the work out, and remember: your guests came to see you, not to judge your grout.
