We’re all familiar with that sinking feeling. You know the one, where all the good vibes from throwing that epic summer party begin to disintegrate into the realization that you’re going to have to start cleaning up.

Been there, right?

That moment is the very definition of “dread,” unless, of course you’re in the minority that absolutely loves cleaning. To you we say, “Rock on, you lovers of cleaning, Rock on!”

To the rest who have a distaste for cleaning ranging somewhere on the scale from slight frustration (“I really, really don’t like cleaning up other people’s messes”) to white-hot boiling rage (“I think I may just hurt someone here!”), we understand, and we love each and everyone one of you – and don’t want you to go to jail after throwing that epic summer party.

That would suck.

So, here at The Cleaning Crew, we’ve got your back! Follow these Summer Party Clean Up Tips to take that not so awesome task of party clean up and make it feel just a little more like a party and a lot less like a wake.

Summer Party Clean Up Tips

The Basics:

1. Start Your Party with a Clean Slate

This may seem like a no brainer, but for good summer party clean up mojo, this is the best place to start. You really will have a better experience if your house (and kitchen in particular) is in good shape before-hand. Empty the dishwasher, empty the trash, clean up all the pre-party prep, and make room in your fridge for leftovers.

Piling dirty dishes on top of dirty dishes is a recipe for a whole string of sad faced emojis!

2. Take Your Party Outside

If possible plan most of your activies outside. Garden parties and backyard BBQ’s can be pretty magical, and outdoor surfaces like grass and concrete clean up much easier than carpet or wood floors! Just use the indoors for bathroom visits.

If you have a really large gathering, consider renting a porta-potty (a one day rental is under $200). Better a great big whopping mess in something that gets hauled away than one in your own bathroom!

Pick Up While You Party

Where possible, try to stay on top of the cleaning as the event progresses. Make sure you enjoy your own party, for goodness’ sake!

But the key to cleaning up any party and any spill is being prepared and acting quickly. Keep an active eye (and hopefully you have some help with this) for taking care of anything urgent right away. We recommend having good general purpose DIY cleaner on hand:

1-Tbsp white vinegar
1-Tbsp dish soap
Fill the rest of your standard 32 oz spray bottle with water (filtered is preferred)

In addition, set out specified receptacles for trash and recyclables, clearly labeling each one.

Just so you know, not everyone at your party will follow your wishes to distinguish where trash goes. People (especially kids) sometimes just forget the drink or cookie they just sat down! Don’t sweat it.

Big picture, people.

We generally like to make some kind of announcement before the party gets rolling where guests can find everything like bathrooms, trash cans, etc.

“Hey, you guys! The bathroom’s over there…the trash cans are right here…and the drinks, well, you already know where the drinks are!”

It really helps.

You’ll generally enjoy the day after much more if you finish your clean up before you hit the hay. But if that becomes just too painful or impossible to accomplish, at the very least, take care of all the food items and garbage to avoid pest issues.

Just remember, continuing a clean up effort, even if you’re tired and beat, will be more efficient and take less time than re-starting one in the morning.

Summer Party Clean Up Tips

Advanced:

Ok, so you’ve got the basics of summer party clean up tips. Let’s address a few more common and specific cleaning problems and how to fix them. Onward!

Removing Water Rings

Annoying water rings in your wooden coffee and end tables? Next year, try to have enough coasters for everyone. If you’re feeling crafty, try these supercool DIY coasters. Clever, right? But for now, here are a few solutions for removing white water rings.

Create a gentle abrasive by mixing a teaspoon of salt with a few drops of olive oil. Rub it gently into the ring until the spot is gone. Massage some furniture polish into the surface to finish….. or
Try rubbing a bit of non-gel toothpaste onto a water ring, then buff with a clean cloth. Or substitute full-fat Mayonnaise for the toothpaste; leave it on for at least an hour before wiping clean and buffing.

Lip Color Smudges

“Dahling, you look mahvelous!” But your lipstick can leave an ugly mark on cloth napkins. Start by scraping them clean, then apply a few drops of mineral spirits, working them in with a brush. Rinse with rubbing alcohol and repeat until you’re in the clear.

Launder with an enzyme detergent to dissolve leftover residue.

Removing Wax from Furniture and Carpet

Candles can definitely set the mood, but ruin it just as fast.

If candles drip on your lovely wood furniture, warm the spilled wax with a hairdryer, and wipe it away with a cloth. Any remaining residue can be cleared off with a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water.

Candle wax on carpets? Use this simple and easy trick for saving your carpets:

Cleaning Up Broken Glass

To clean up broken glass without initiating a trip to the ER, arm yourself with rubber gloves. Pick up the biggest pieces of glass first, and, oh, don’t forget to check under the furniture.

We recommend using a vacuum to clear the rest of the area as glass can stick to brooms cause problems for bare feet later. Finish by pressing a slice of bread against the ground to pick up the smallest fragments. Dryer lint can also be used to round up small fragments in hard to reach areas.

Cleaning and Removing Coffee Stains

Don’t despair at the sight of those dark roast stains. Even dried stains can generally be lifted. Follow these Good Housekeeping guidelines:

Fabric

1. Sponge the stain with cool water or soak the item for about 30 minutes in cool water.

2. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

3. Launder. If it’s safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.

Upholstery

1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

OR

1. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.

2. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the stain disappears.

Carpet

1. Blot up as much of the spilled coffee as possible.

2. Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.

3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with plain water or the detergent/ vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.

4. If using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the solution.

Coffee and Cream

If there’s cream (or milk) in the coffee that caused the stain, be sure to use an enzyme laundry detergent when washing the stained item.

Gum Removal

As adults we all know why schools don’t allow gum in class. It’s notoriously difficult to get out of things like carpet and upholstery, some of the most cherished and expensive stuff in our homes. Here’s how to de-gum like a pro:

Cleaning Stainless Steel

Remove baked-on food from appliances with Barkeepers Friend Liquid or Biokleen. Always wipe stainless steel dry in the direction of the grain. If cleanup leaves your stainless steel streaked, rub a little olive oil over it and buff with a soft cloth. Read our deep cleaning spring blog for tips on how to clean your refrigerator.

Reward Yourself

When the dishes are done, the floor is swept, and the house is quiet, it’s time to put your feet up and give yourself a pat on the back in the form of a huge slice of cake or one of these signature summer cocktails.

In fact, might as well make it a double!

So, here’s to Summer Parties! Keep the good summer vibes by being prepared for the after party!

Shine!

Karen & The Cleaning Crew

PS What after party clean up tips have worked for you? Leave a comment below & share the love.

PPS Over your head with house cleaning? We can help with either our One Time Cleaning or Maintenance Cleaning. Call the office for a simple, no-hassle phone quote.

541-601-6236

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