How to Clean Up After a House Party
Post-party cleanup is a concentrated version of a full home clean — multiple rooms, various types of mess, and the strong desire to get it done as fast as possible. Here's how to work through it efficiently.
Start Immediately (The Night Of)
The most important thing to do the same night, before sleeping:
- Collect all glasses and dishes — don't leave drinks sitting overnight. Wine, beer, and juice left in glasses overnight cause difficult stains on whatever surface they're on, and alcohol residue on wood surfaces can cause damage. Rinse glasses and stack dishes.
- Collect all bottles, cans, and garbage — do a circuit of the home with a garbage bag. Getting the bottles and cans out prevents spills and smells overnight.
- Deal with any spills — blot up liquid spills on carpet or upholstery immediately. Spills left overnight set and are much harder to remove. Apply club soda or cold water and blot, then leave a clean cloth pressed on the spot overnight.
- Open a window — party odours (food, drinks, perfume, body heat) dissipate significantly by morning if you ventilate overnight
The Next Morning
Kitchen First
- Load and run the dishwasher with everything that fits — do first because it takes the longest
- Hand wash anything that doesn't fit
- Clean the sink, countertops, and stovetop
- Wipe the inside of the microwave if used
- Empty the kitchen garbage
Floors and Surfaces
- Vacuum the entire home — crumbs, napkins, and food debris end up everywhere
- Mop hard floors, particularly the kitchen and entry — the most heavily trafficked during a party
- Wipe all surfaces (tables, counters, shelves) with a damp cloth — spills and drink condensation rings are on more surfaces than you think
Bathrooms
Party bathrooms need attention. Quick wipe of toilet, sink, and mirror. Mop or wipe the floor. This is usually faster than you expect — a bathroom used by party guests needs a wipe-down but not a deep clean.
Garbage
- Do a second circuit with a bag to catch anything missed the night before
- Empty all interior garbage cans, replace bags
- Recycling: sort bottles and cans into the blue bin
If the cleanup is beyond what you want to tackle, Maidless offers post-party clean-ups. Book at maidless.ca.