Step 1: Grab your supplies

The big clean-up can feel like a mammoth task, so let’s ease ourselves in. First off, gather the tools and products you’ll need to get the job done. We recommend a few different cleaning products for different rooms and surfaces, and of course a trusty all-purpose cleaner. I

f you’ll be up against stubborn gunk, it’s a good idea to stock up on our Wonder Scrub, which earned its name for a reason… Perfect for those pesky tea stains courtesy of guests who ignored your “please use a coaster!” requests, and for scrubbing the oven post-roast.

You’ll also need a good supply of bin bags and sponges, plus a mop and hoover.

Tip: if possible, make sure you’ve restocked your cleaning supplies before your party takes place. Add them to your last-minute supermarket run so that once your guests have left you in peace, you can get to work.

Step 2: Compartmentalise the mess

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to do a first sweep of your home. Make sure everything’s where it should be: bring all plates and glasses to the kitchen ready to scrub, and go around with a bin bag getting rid of any old napkins, banners and paper cups.

If you’ve had guests in your living room, push furniture to the corners of the room to allow you to access the floor for a good old mop and hoover. It’s worth the extra hassle: you’ll feel great relaxing in your sparkling clean space a couple of hours later.

If you’ve got a team of helpers, delegate jobs based on ability and age. Small children can also lend a hand, even if they start by just picking up their own toys. It’s a great example to set for when they’re a little older.

Step 3: Tackle room by room

You’re ready for the worst bit: the heavy-duty cleaning. There are two ways of approaching this part of the process. Some of us like to ‘eat the frog’ and dive into the trickiest task first, which usually involves cleaning the kitchen and doing the washing up. Others prefer starting small and leaving the worst til last — whatever floats your boat. Just make sure you’ve got a nice treat lined up for yourself post-clean. Tackle your home room by room, and pay particular attention to the doors and door handles.

Step 4: Make your surfaces shine again

Throwing a summer party can be great fun, but there’s something very satisfying about scrubbing every inch of your home after hosting so many people in your personal space. Now’s the time to stop putting off that deep clean: why not tackle every surface in your home? Grab your all-purpose cleaner and a microfibre cloth, and get to work. This doesn’t take long, but it makes a massive difference to how clean your home feels. Clear surfaces of unidentifiable crumbs and grubby fingerprints, and sort out any clutter.

Step 5: Scrub your floors

If you’re lucky, your guests will take their shoes off, but if you have a garden, it’s not always practical. Add little children running in and out, and it’s a recipe for a muddy disaster. You’ll want to leave the floors until last, and when you do get around to cleaning them, you can follow this simple process:

Start by going over the (hard) floor with a dustpan and brush to collect anything that might clog up your hoover.
Next, vacuum the room, paying particular attention to areas where guests may have been eating (like next to the table), and the corners of the room. Move furniture around as you hoover to ensure you haven’t missed anywhere.
Now it’s time to tackle those mysterious sticky patches. If someone’s spilled some summer punch on the floor, start by sprinkling some baking soda over the affected area, and leave it to soak for an hour or so. In the meantime, you can focus on cleaning another room. Grab a dollop of our wonder scrub, and let it work its magic.
Finally, it’s your mop’s moment to shine. Add some natural cleaning solution to a bucket of water, and mop the floor. Bonus points for a naturally-scented cleaner: it really works wonders to rid your space of that post-party smell, leaving you with a glistening and fragrant home.

Step 6: Don’t forget the finishing touches

You’ve made it — well done! Now for the final touches. Start by airing out your home, and letting the fresh summer breeze freshen things up. Throw your hand towels in the wash, and replace anything guests might have used up, like soap and toilet paper. Light a beeswax candle or pop some fresh flowers in a vase, and voila! You’re ready to relax.

Want more tips and tricks that will help you enjoy cleaning your home? (Yes, really). Head to our Knowledge Base for our favourite hacks.