Welcome to Fall...or as I like to call it, Entertaining Season! The months between September and December always seem like a whirlwind of coming and going, and cleaning and hosting. I like to prepare my house for entertaining in advance, and hit all the areas that may have been neglected over the summer months.
It's a real work horse in the kitchen and it can become dull and spotty before you know it. I use an Extreme Shine Pad to give it a good cleaning and shiny finish. Later, when I'm hosting, I can use it as an ice tub for chilling bottles of bubbly.
With two kids and a husband who are constantly using the microwave, I'm often taken by surprise by the mess that can accumulate inside (even though we have a food cover). To clean it I put a cup of water inside and heat it for about a minute to loosen particles that have hardened over time. Then I use the soft side of my Scotch-Brite Extreme Scrub Spongeto wipe it clean.
Now is the time to check for fingerprints that have found their way onto the beautiful shiny surface of stainless appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves. I've found that wipes do a great job of cleaning my appliances, with very little elbow grease involved.
Now is the time to seal my granite counter tops to ensure they stay protected. After sealing, I wait a day or two and then go over them with a granite polish so the counters shine like new!
I know I SHOULD be dusting every week, but I'm human and sometimes I don't realize the dust is there until it's too late. Using the 3-in-1 Microfiber Kitchen Clothmakes it easy to wipe away the dusty layer so my guests don't write "clean me" in the dust, with their finger tip.
Once the surfaces are clean, I update the living room with more fall friendly decor, changing out pillows, throws, and accessories. I also like to add pretty sunflowers on the table to bring some life and color to the space.
Now all I have to do is send out the invitations and prepare something delicious to eat!
This post has been adapted by Christina Nease from the original, which you may read on http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/prep-your-home-for-holiday-entertaining/