Now that this school semester is almost over, it's important to take a moment to make sure you're organized and prepared for a smooth, stress-free graduation.
As the holiday season approaches, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations and lose track of what needs to be done before giving yourself a well-deserved break. Don't worry because with a little planning you can do everything without any problems. No panic! How to prepare for a stress-free graduation.
Clean and tidy
We all know the temptation to leave cleaning until the last minute, but trust us: nothing is worse than returning to a messy workspace on the first day of school. Imagine opening that drawer and being greeted by empty boxes, old envelopes and... a surprise! -a half-eaten KitKat that has been hidden since Halloween.
Take some time to organize and clean the things you no longer need. Not only will this make your workspace feel fresh and inviting, but you'll also have plenty of space for all the exciting new supplies you're bringing with you for the new year.
Synchronize your schedules
When preparing to relax, make sure your schedule aligns with everyone else's. It is important to note all important deadlines, meetings and appointments in your calendar. However, don't forget about other people's schedules that may impact your school's operations. When will your IT team and suppliers return from vacation?
If you expect to need help from someone who may not be available, it is advisable to have an alternative contact on hand. And if you need to book meetings for the New Year, it's best to do so now! After Christmas, everyone tends to jump straight into a whirlwind of post-holiday tasks, projects, and catch-ups. By securing these appointments in advance, you can ensure you receive the care and support you need without having to compete for everyone's limited availability in January.
Take a walk
Once everything is organized, closed, put away and put away or thrown away, take the opportunity to walk around your school and take notes while it is quiet and organized because as we all know, those hallways will be chaotic again. coming soon!
It's a great opportunity to see things you might not have otherwise noticed during the busy school period. As you walk through the halls, keep an eye out for areas that could use a little attention. Documenting these observations now will help you prioritize tasks for the month of January, especially those related to maintenance. By identifying these issues before students return, you can create a checklist of repairs or improvements that need to be addressed.
Prepare your equipment
If you plan to be out of the office during the holidays, it's important to keep your team updated on how the holiday season is going. Who will be on site to open the school if necessary? Which systems will continue to function?
Before you hit the Out of Office button, make sure your colleagues feel confident and prepared. This will help you avoid annoying phone calls asking for advice on what to do next. The last thing you want on your break is answering questions about where the Christmas decorations are kept!
Finally, take a deep breath – this year you really made it! With all his hard work and commitment, he has laid the foundation for another successful term. Now is the time to relax and enjoy the end of year celebrations to the fullest. So as you close your office door for the last time this quarter, don't forget to reflect on everything you've accomplished in the last year. Happy Holidays!
Let's face it, cleaning isn't always at the top of our list, and in most cases we want to get it done as quickly as possible.
There's always something to do, isn't there? From the top of the kitchen cabinets to the bottom of the pantry. We tend to stick with our tried-and-true methods and combinations of the same old products, but are we really making time-wasting cleaning mistakes?
We spoke to our top cleaning pros to ask them what they think are the biggest cleaning mistakes and how to replace them with effective methods - because let's face it, we should all clean our kitchens more thoroughly in the first place .
1. Not planning far enough in advance
(Image credit: Georgie Wykeham Designs / Tom St Aubyn)
We're all guilty of this: wanting to complete cleaning tasks as quickly as possible. However, if we invest a little time in planning ahead, we become much more efficient and motivated to do the cleaning .
Alessandro Gazzo, cleaning expert at Emily's Maids of Dallas , explains, "Failure to plan your cleaning routine is a cleaning mistake that makes your tasks more difficult. If you don't plan, you'll waste a lot more time because you'll jump from one task to the next, wasting extra time and energy.
What is the best way to proceed? "Spend five minutes mapping out the cleaning tasks, then the schedules for each task and the cleaning products you'll need," says Alessandro.
If you're looking to fit your cleaning tasks into a schedule, we love Paper's Italian Summer Productivity Planner , which comes in four colors and offers daily and monthly options.
2. Use rechargeable vacuum cleaners
(Image credit: Divins Sauvages)
Portable products are tempting, take up less space and are easier to maneuver. But they have a downside, explains Sabrina Fierman, director of Little Elves of New York : "One of the things that bothers our teams the most are rechargeable vacuum cleaners, which lack power and suction, requiring more cleaning time." and wait. »
Sabrina says: "I think the biggest cleaning mistakes are using the wrong products (abrasive cleaners or solutions that are too strong) that scratch or wear down the surfaces immediately or over time, or products that leave streaks and stains that are I particularly like Magic American Grout Cleaner for ceramics and porcelain stoneware .
Alessandro agrees and says that sometimes we make the mistake of applying a product and rubbing it in immediately (unless the instructions say otherwise). "Most cleaning products work chemically and not mechanically. That means you have to give it time and not necessarily rub and rub. You'll waste more time and energy and maybe even just scratch the surface.
Check out Alessandro's three favorite gentle cleansers below.
It's easy to get seduced by the long-lasting product that's supposed to clean "everything" in your home and make your life so much easier, but more often than not, it's a gimmick ( there are many that cleaning experts hate ) and it will get you convince. It doesn't work. T. Do what it says.
As a result, we have a closet full of promising products that are literally gathering dust. "Overcomplicating your pantry or cleaning basket makes the job more difficult," says Alessandro. "Time is wasted changing products, reading instructions, and sometimes even having to use additional supplies like sponges and towels. Limit yourself to all-purpose cleaners and no more than five cleaning products total.
This is a common problem that we are all guilty of: looking into the eyes and at ground level instead of looking up.
Forrest Webber, founder of Bear Brothers Cleaning, explains: "Starting with the floors is like drying yourself under water after a shower. All crumbs, dust and mysterious particles on the upper surfaces fall back. Instead, work from top to bottom: Start with shelves, counters, and the cobwebs in the corners that you pretend you don't see. Let gravity do its work so you only have to cover the floor once. Efficiency to win!'
Check out our three purchases to help you sheathe from ceiling to floor.
When it comes to cleaning, we generally want it done as quickly as possible, which means mistakes can happen.
"Another big mistake is not drying things completely so that the accessories are clean but not ruined by drying with water and leaving stains and streaks," says Sabrina.
To counteract this, give your accessories enough time to dry naturally or help them with a cloth. Glass cloths are a good option because they don't leave marks.
"A worker is only as good as his tools," goes the saying, and that couldn't be truer. It is extremely important that we take the time to clean the tools we use to clean.
"Dirty mops, dusty vacuums and dirty sponges are like using a dirty fork to stir soup: counterproductive and pretty gross," says Forrest. How do I get into the cleaning routine? At the end of your cleaning session, take five minutes to review each item.
"Wash microfiber cloths, rinse mop heads and empty vacuum cleaners regularly. A clean tool is like a happy colleague: productive and drama-free," he adds.
8. Excessive use of air fresheners and perfumes
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
There are perfumes and there are perfumes . Entering a freshly cleaned, elegantly scented home infused with natural scents is certainly invigorating, but waking up to a home that smells overwhelmingly of artificial air fresheners and electrical outlets is another matter that can also lead to health problems with air conditioning .
Forrest explains: "Spraying air fresheners everywhere to mask odors doesn't fool anyone. First, eliminate the source of the odor: clean the trash can, ventilate the room, and use baking soda if necessary. Then spritz on your favorite perfume. It's about getting some fresh air and not hiding the facts.
Light Anthropologie's Volcano candles throughout your home (synonymous with all of their stores) to create a fresh, invigorating scent.
Meet our experts
Alessandro Gazzo
Alessandro Gazzo is a cleaning expert working at Emily's Maids of Dallas who specializes in developing a healthier, greener and more efficient approach to home care. Alessandro has a passion for homemade cleaning products and believes in the power of natural and cost-effective solutions to keep homes spotless.
Sabrina Fierman
For 15 years, lifestyle and cleaning guru Sabrina Fierman has been the practice manager of Little Elves of New York, the leading luxury cleaning service in the New York metropolitan area.
Forrest Webber
Forrest Webber is an entrepreneur and founder of several companies, including Bear Brothers Cleaning and Fireplace Distributor.
Learn how to complete your cleaning tasks successfully and quickly without making the big mistakes we all make.
There's nothing worse than hearing the clink of glasses and laughter in the living room, over a messy kitchen and a huge pile of dishes. And while everyone is having fun, think about the red wine stain on your couch and the sheets in the guest room that still need to be removed. If this sounds familiar, luckily, regular cleaning could transform the way you organize this year.
Whether you plan to host Christmas or invite all the guests yourself, we probably don't need to tell you that hosting during the holidays is both enjoyable and stressful. And while you can seek holiday hosting advice from holiday hosting professionals to make your guests as happy as possible, the reality is that hosts rarely have the opportunity to enjoy the festivities themselves, especially when so much cleanliness goes into the upkeep of their home is inserted. whenever.
However, an interval cleanse may be the answer to your holiday prayers. By cleaning at regular intervals and only when absolutely necessary, you can create a system that gets the job done as quickly as possible without compromising your own enjoyment. And if you follow this Christmas interval cleaning guide, you can save yourself the hassle of organizing this Christmas.
1. Clean the kitchen little and often
(Image credit: Future/Malcolm Menzies)
With the holidays in full swing, you might not even have time to clean a kitchen in 15 minutes . But instead of turning away from the royal speech or a game of family charades and forcing yourself to keep the kitchen area as clean as possible, you can simply clean the kitchen a little and often.
Laura Marsden, cleaning expert at Marigold , explains: "The best way to prevent cleaning jobs from becoming too tedious is to do little and often, and do short 'interval cleans' to avoid large build-ups. Use your free time wisely: When cooking or frying food, wipe down surfaces, mop the floor, or wash the dishes.
And he adds: "Always have a microfiber cloth handy to wipe up any spills or dirt immediately to prevent them from building up and getting worse." This way, you don't have to spend a lot of time cleaning after cooking and can enjoy the festivities .
Even if you have one of the best vacuum cleaners , no one wants to spend their entire Christmas vacation vacuuming after their guests. And it's not necessary. Kirsty Barton, marketing manager at Alternative Flooring, has the best interval cleaning hack so you don't have to vacuum regularly over the holidays.
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She says: "To control how much dirt gets into your home at Christmas, use doormats at entrances. » These doormats will catch most of the dirt and debris from your guests' shoes before they enter your home, and you can even offer them slippers (like these 12 pairs of disposable slippers from Amazon ) to completely eliminate that mess . .
Then you can vacuum at the beginning and end of every vacation instead of every time someone leaves the house or enters the yard.
Christmas dinner is supposed to be a celebration, and a big celebration includes several plates, platters, gravy boats and side dishes, not forgetting wine glasses, champagne glasses and water glasses just in case. This requires a lot of laundry and can keep you away from playing for hours on vacation.
But instead of washing all the dishes at once, Laura Harnett, founder of Seep , suggests cleaning at regular intervals and opting for the small and frequent technique. She says: "Clean your dishes the same day by washing them little and often. »
"I like to take the plate out of the sink and use it to pre-rinse with hot, soapy water to soak greasy trays or dirty dishes. Then use cold water in the sink for final cleaning. If you use a dishwasher , wash the glasses by hand so that they don't get contaminated by larger items as they will need to be washed again anyway, and this saves space in the dishwasher for other items.
So do a little washing up between dishes to stay on top of things, and if you really want to enjoy the day, you can even leave a bowl of hot soapy water in the kitchen sink and ask your guests to wash their dishes. after destroying his twelfth tart.
If you want to avoid a major post-Christmas cleaning, it may also be easier to tidy up and put things away as quickly as possible. This is especially true if you plan on creating the ultimate holiday tables .
Becca Stern, creative director and co-founder of Mustard Made , explains: "Decluttering and putting away while getting organized is a great way to deal with the Christmas chaos that can arise in your home during the holidays. While you may want to use your best plates and champagne flutes for entertaining family and friends, make sure they are quickly cleaned and returned to their cabinets when not in use to keep kitchen surfaces clean and the dining room looking as bright as possible.
If you like to decorate your bathroom right before your guests arrive or want to tackle those stained glass windows you saw out of the corner of your eye at Christmas dinner, you could spend a lot of time running back and forth to your cleaning closet . To make sure you have time for fun, Sam Tamlyn, CEO of Shutterly Fabulous, recommends setting up cleaning stations around the house.
He says, "Having dedicated cleaning supplies stations strategically placed throughout the home, such as disinfectants and microfiber clothing in your living or dining room, will help you quickly address any spills or accidents." »
Natalie Mudd, co-founder and creative director of Knot & Grain , adds that this is especially important if you want to clean your hardwood floors . She explains: "Having an emergency cleaning kit on hand is a smart way to quickly deal with accidents; This saves you the hassle of searching for the right cleaning product and the time you have to spend with your guests.
"When it comes to cleaning up spills on hardwood floors, it's best to act quickly. Dry them immediately to prevent moisture from penetrating and damaging the wood. Absorb the spill with a soft cloth or paper towel and then wipe the area with a damp cloth," he adds.
There are plenty of additional tips for seating at Christmas, but you may also need to furnish your guest room or invest in one of the best air mattresses so your guests have a place to sleep too. And if you're not careful, you could spend hours cleaning these areas while your guests are having fun.
Therefore, you should optimize your cleaning schedule and opt for cleaning at regular intervals. And Ayan Abdi, brand and home expert at Zinus , says it might be worth investing in one of the best sofa beds to achieve this.
"A sofa bed is a great investment for Christmas as it can be quickly put away between days of fun. If you plan to host friends or family in the living room or necessary common areas on Christmas Day, make sure your sofa bed and linens are stored as efficiently and neatly as possible so that the room can be used as a place to relax. '
Opting for a sofa bed with hidden storage is ideal for regular tidying, as you can remove the bedding, store it in the sofa bed's storage compartment and quickly get on with the rest of your vacation.
How to quickly clean in front of unexpected guests?
Especially during the Christmas season, it is not uncommon for guests to be invited to our home. If you have limited time to clean quickly in the event of unexpected guests, it's best to prioritize the areas of your home with the highest traffic and the places you know your guests will use. For example, the hallway, the living room, the bathroom and the guest room if you want to spend the night.
During this quick clean, clear the room of any dirt, dust visible surfaces, vacuum or mop the floor, quickly wipe down your toilet, and spray on bathroom cleaning products. If you don't have time to clean the rest of your house and know your guests won't be using it, simply close the door and keep the clutter out of sight.
When should I start cleaning for Christmas?
If you want to properly clean your house this Christmas, most experts recommend starting at least two weeks before the big day. This will give you time to clean more thoroughly and intensively areas and items such as the oven, refrigerator, guest room, and other areas that don't always receive the same attention.
Then, a few days before Christmas, you should be able to slow down the cleaning and focus on small, regular bursts of cleaning as the festivities progress. This way you can continue to enjoy your accommodation without the additional hassle of cleaning.
