The holiday season brings warmth, celebration, and long-awaited time with the people who matter most. It also brings a surge of foot traffic, brutal winter weather, and nonstop cooking, all of which have the potential to concoct a nasty holiday cleaning emergency. We see firsthand the impact that the holidays can have on the health, appearance, and safety of a home. That’s why so many homeowners turn to professionals for cleaning and restoration services before, during, and after the holiday rush.

The busiest months of the year introduce unique cleaning demands; and let’s face it, even without the end-of-year hustle and bustle, we never have enough time to keep our living spaces as clean as we want to! Despite our chaotic schedules, it is estimated that a massive 91% of Americans make a significant effort to clean before hosting guests for the holidays, notes the American Cleaning Institute (ACI).

In the winter, snow, salt, and moisture get tracked indoors. Carpets and upholstery absorb oils and spills from guests. Kitchen appliances are working overtime. And because windows stay closed for warmth, odors are trapped and recirculated. It is important to be educated on these seasonal stress points and know who to call if the worst should happen. 

Seasonal Restoration Issues, and Why You Should Think Twice before DIY-ing

High traffic means high risk for property damage. Each winter, our most common calls and complaints from homeowners come from frozen pipes, water damage from Christmas tree stands, grease fires, smoke damage, clogged dryer vents, and ventilation issues.

It is recommended that homeowners invest in a single trusted professional partner for both preventative cleaning and emergency restoration. While many people might have the urge to fix the problem themselves or DIY it, doing so can create additional hazards and, in many cases, an even bigger mess.

While it can save a buck or two if you are skilled enough to fix something on your own, DIY restoration is risky because it opens the door to even more issues. Underestimating damage, lacking specialized tools, and not following safety protocols can lead to structural issues or even more damage. Additionally, trying and failing to fix a frozen pipe or HVAC issue can end up costing more when you have to call in the professionals anyways to redo your work.

As professionals, we have access to a variety of cleaning tech and tools that are not readily available to the public. We provide homeowners with industry-leading cleaning chemistry, equipment, and processes that restore comfort and cleanliness faster, safer and more effectively than DIY solutions. 

Preparing Your Home is Proactivity

A successful cleaning routine is built on taking preventative measures. These could be things such as:

• Performing your deep clean before decorating
• Prioritizing carpets, upholstery, entryways, and guest bathrooms
• Reducing clutter early to create an organized, welcoming environment
• Addressing overlooked areas that impact air quality, such as dirty carpeting, vents and soft surfaces

It’s worth noting that restoration and remediation companies aren’t only to be called in emergencies; we offer lots of preventative services that homeowners can utilize to be proactive in their cleaning. For example, our post-holiday protective applications are especially popular around this time of the year for families who entertained large gatherings. Through our carpet extraction, hard-floor cleaning, and protective coatings, homeowners preserve the life and beauty of their flooring while reducing long-term repair costs. 

Overlooked Cleaning Zones and Why They Matter

Even with diligent proactive cleaning, some areas rarely get the attention they need. Baseboards, ceilings fans, vents, behind appliances, cabinets and curtains are all great examples of places around the house where dirt could be hiding in plain sight. These areas of the home, while often overlooked, significantly influence odor control and indoor air quality. Professional cleaning systems are designed to target these overlooked spaces, ensuring a deeper, healthier feeling throughout your home.

Another “forgotten zone” that spans a much bigger section of your home is the floor. In the wintertime, it is common for our technicians to respond to moisture damage from melted snow and ice, stains on high-traffic carpeting, road salt scratches on wooden floors, and deep-set oils or spills that may be invisible to the naked eye.

Maintaining Fresh Indoor Air with a Full House: How to Remove (Not Mask) an Odor

Fresh indoor air becomes difficult when windows stay closed, the kitchen is running at full speed, and the home is packed full of guests. Invisible to the eye, a persistent or stubborn odor is often indicative of intense buildup of oil, dirt and dead skin cells that have cemented themselves into your rug, carpet or upholstery.

Using ventilation consistently during cooking, like exhaust fans, limits smoke buildup, fire hazards, and prevents the moisture buildup that leads to the signature “musty” smell.

For severe odor or air-quality challenges—like any severe restoration issue—it is recommended to call professionals who can both diagnose and resolve the issue. During this time of the year, our technicians respond to calls that require our industry-standard deodorization, HEPA filtration, and vapor-based treatments that removes, not masks, odors.

Common Cleaning Mistakes seen by Technicians and Professionals

After the holidays, we often see homeowners unknowingly create bigger problems by:

• Scrubbing stains instead of blotting
• Using improper cleaners on hardwood or natural surfaces
• Ignoring ventilation during heavy cooking
• Delaying treatment of spills and odors

As trained specialists, we can ensure surfaces are treated correctly, stains are removed safely, and materials are preserved not damaged.

The Ideal Time for a Post-Holiday Deep Cleaning

Once your guests have headed home, the new year is the perfect time for a pick-me-up for your house to tide you over until Spring Cleaning. A professional deep clean restores coziness, comfort, and gives your home the fresh start it deserves while you relax and ring in the new year.