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can you Feel It? The Christmas lights are up, window displays have been turned up to the wow factor, and magical displays are getting us closer to the big day – good festive fixes have been put at the top of the to-do list.
Especially if you’re setting the stage for a holiday host, decking the halls, and making sure your surfaces, tableware, and crystal are as bright and shiny as the twinkling lights on the tree.
To get your home ready for guests, the UK’s leading home expert and TV presenter, Queen of Clean (@lynsey_queenofclean) Lynsey Crombie, shares her top tips to make your festive season preparations quicker, easier and more enjoyable…
1. Shine your cutlery with a bicarb bath
“Give dull silverware a festive shine by soaking it in warm water with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda,” says Crombie. “Leave it in the sink covered with tin foil for 10-15 minutes, rinse and polish and dry… perfect for your Christmas table setting.”
2. Sharpen scissors with tin foil
“There’s no need to buy new scissors before wrapping season! Simply fold a sheet of tin foil and cut it several times.
“It sharpens the blades, keeping your cuts crisp for ribbon and wrapping paper,” she explains.
3. Clean the Wrapping Paper Roll
Crombie suggests keeping the paper wrapped neatly by sliding an empty toilet roll tube over each roll. “This prevents the edges from unraveling, keeps the paper from tearing and saves time when preparing festive gifts.”
4. Lemon and bicarb oven rescue
“Mix lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda into a paste to tackle grease and grime,” the cleaning expert advises.
“Spread it inside the oven, leave for 30 minutes, then wipe it off for a fresh, delicious finish.”
5. Remove candle wax with a cold iron
To lift melted wax off a cloth or tablecloth, she says to place a paper towel over the wax and press gently with a cold iron. “The heat loosens the wax, and the paper absorbs it for mess-free cleaning.”
6. Make your tree shine with a hairdryer
“Before decorating, use a cool-setting hairdryer to blow dust off artificial branches,” suggests Crombie. “This plumps them up and gives your tree that fresh, forest-like look.”
7. Spray festive scents on carpets
“Add a few drops of an essential oil like cinnamon or orange to bicarbonate of soda. Sprinkle on carpets, leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum for a home that smells of Christmas magic.”
Be careful with pets, she says.
8. Garland Freshener with Essential Oils
“Let artificial or dry garlands smell festive by lightly spritzing them with water and a few drops of pine or cinnamon essential oil.”
She says your house will smell like Christmas in just seconds.
9. Deal with stray glitter with a lint roller
As Crombie points out, glitter gets everywhere, but a lint roller picks it up in seconds. “Play it on surfaces, tablecloths and even upholstery to keep your home glitter-free.”
10. Polish Glassware with White Vinegar
“Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and warm water, dip a soft cloth and polish the glassware to a flawless festive shine.
“Perfect for wine glasses and vases… Dry with a lint-free cloth.”
11. Clean up faster with Caddy
Before guests arrive, she says, keep a small cleaning caddy filled with essential items. “Antibacterial spray, cloth, and lint roller—a five-minute blitz in each room will have your home ready for guests in no time.”
12. Refresh your fridge
“Keep a small bowl of bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of citrus essential oil in your fridge,” suggests Crombie. “It neutralizes odors, keeping it fresh with all festive dishes and leftovers.”
Lynsey Crombie’s The 15-Minute Clean: The Fastest Way to a Shiny Home, priced at £12.99, is available to buy from Amazon.
[xdelx]