With friends and family coming to visit throughout the festive season, it's your time to shine and

show
off what a lovely home you have.

One of the keys to a stress-free Christmas is preparation, so we've gathered our top 7 ways to get your
home sparkling clean this Christmas, leaving you time to relax with your loved ones.

1. Treat your carpets

It can be all too easy to take your carpets for granted, but it's worth remembering that they deal with an
awful amount of footfall right from the moment they're installed.

No matter how hard you clean your carpets, some dirt and dust will still linger. That's why it's worth
investing in or hiring an industrial carpet cleaner to get your carpets looking brand new. Professional
carpet cleaners normally come with a cleaning agent so that the material is shampooed while the dust is
being sucked up.

Country Scene 80 per cent wool, 10 per cent polyamide, 10 per cent Fibreloc plain twist, £35.99 a sq
metre, Carpetright

2. Clean All Surfaces

Your counter tops will be in constant use over Christmas so ensure you make time to give them a good
clean both before the big day and while you're cooking. It's vital to wipe surfaces after preparing your
Christmas food as uncooked meats can leave germs and bacteria behind.
It's also worth giving your shelves, chairs and furnishings a once-over to remove any stains or build-up of
dust. The same goes for your dining table. A good polish can go a long way.

3. Organise a professional oven clean

In preparation for the gastronomic delights that are going to be created in your kitchen this Christmas,
it's worth hiring a professional to come and give your oven a thorough clean. That way you can focus on
the sumptuous snacks you're going to serve your guests rather than going into battle against the grime
and grease that have built up over the year.

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4. Have a clear out

It may not be the traditional time to have a clear-out but a thorough clean-up can provide much-needed
space for your Christmas tree, presents and guests. It also lets you enter the New Year clutter-free.

Think to yourself, 'Have I used this within the last six months?' If not, consider throwing it out or
donating it to charity. You'll be surprised how much extra room a quick clean-out can give you.

5. Polish the silver

We've all got that nice set of cutlery or dining set that only makes an appearance on special occasions.
Now is their time to shine – literally. Set the time aside to clean and polish your lovely kitchenware and
make your Christmas meal even more memorable.

While you're on a cleaning spree, don't forget to give your reflective surfaces and decorations, like
mirrors and candlesticks, a good polish too.
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6. Get your glad rags ready

You've no doubt organised your presents, guest list and Christmas meal already, but make sure you
leave time to think about what you are going to wear on the big day.

Your home shouldn't be the only one dazzling your guests this Christmas. Plan your outfits for the festive
period and make sure that they are spick and span and ready to show you off. If there's enough time
beforehand, you could always get your party attire dry-cleaned to give you a picture-perfect outfit.

7. Clean your decorations

Christmas decorations spend most of their time hidden away in cupboards or dusty attics waiting for
their five minutes of fame. But there's no point getting your home spick and span for the festive season
and then hanging up dirty and dusty decorations. Put aside some time to give them a good clean before
hanging them up and they'll soon look as good as new.

When going through your Christmas decorations, make sure that everything still works. Fairy lights, for
example, have a certain shelf life and if one bulb goes the whole set sometimes won't work. Test them
before you decorate your tree to see if you need to invest in a new set.