The Ultimate Post-Thanksgiving Cleanup Guide (So You Can Actually Enjoy the Weekend)

Thanksgiving is all about good food, good company, and making memories, until the cleanup hits. Between the pots and pans, the spills, the guest rooms, and the fridge full of leftovers, it’s easy to feel like your home needs a full reset by Friday morning.

If you’re hosting this year, this guide will help you get everything back in order without spending your entire weekend cleaning. And if you’d rather skip the mess altogether, Maid Different is opening December appointments specifically for post-Thanksgiving cleanup.

Let’s get your home feeling fresh again.

1. Start With a Quick Kitchen Reset

The kitchen is always the biggest challenge after a holiday meal. Focus on these areas first:

• Clear counters and load the dishwasher right away. Seeing empty space instantly makes the room feel more manageable.

• Soak pots and pans while you work on other tasks. Warm water + a splash of vinegar breaks down stuck-on food.

• Wipe down stove tops and oven doors, especially if there were spills or grease splatter.

• Disinfect high-touch areas like fridge handles, drawer pulls, and light switches.

Pro Tip: If your oven took the brunt of the cooking, sprinkle baking soda inside and spray lightly with vinegar. Let it sit while you tackle the rest of the house.

2. Tidy the Dining Area

Once the food is put away, tackle the dining space:

• Remove linens (tablecloths, runners, cloth napkins) and pretreat stains like gravy or cranberry sauce.

• Wipe down the table and chairs to remove crumbs, drips, and fingerprints.

• Check for drink rings, especially on wood surfaces, and address them before they settle in.

If you hosted a large group, vacuum under the table and chair legs to collect food debris.

3. Refresh Guest Bathrooms

Guest bathrooms see more traffic than usual during Thanksgiving. Give them a quick refresh:

• Disinfect surfaces

• Wipe mirrors

• Replace used towels

• Empty trash

• Restock toilet paper and soap

This quick reset keeps odors and germs under control.

4. Reset Guest Rooms and Shared Spaces

If you had overnight guests, a little maintenance goes a long way:

• Strip and wash bedding

• Shake out or vacuum rugs

• Dust nightstands and surfaces

• Open windows for 10 minutes to let fresh air circulate

In shared spaces like the living room, fluff pillows, fold throws, and gather any leftover cups, kids’ toys, or holiday clutter.

5. Give Floors a Fast but Effective Refresh

Thanksgiving foot traffic takes a toll. Do a simple two-step reset:

1. Vacuum or sweep main areas (entryways, kitchen, living room).

2. Spot-mop sticky areas—don’t worry about doing a full deep mop unless you want to.

If you have pets or lots of visitors, consider a full-floor reset later in the weekend.

6. Organize the Leftovers (So Your Fridge Doesn’t Suffer)

Leftovers are part of the magic, but they can overwhelm your fridge fast.

• Use clear containers so you can see what’s inside.

• Label items with the date.

• Toss anything older than 3–4 days to prevent odors.

• Group leftovers on one shelf to keep things tidy.

This not only keeps the fridge fresher, but it also makes it easier to pack lunches for the next few days.

7. When You’re Tired of Cleaning… Call Us

If the idea of tackling all of this makes you want to take a nap instead, you’re not alone. Thanksgiving cleanup can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve been cooking, hosting, and entertaining.

Maid Different is accepting December cleanings specifically for households needing a post-holiday reset. Whether it’s your kitchen, your bathrooms, or your entire home, we’d love to help you start the season fresh.

**Thanksgiving should be about connection, not chores. With a little strategy (and maybe a little help), your home can feel like itself again in no time. Save this guide for next year, and remember: the best hosting hack is enjoying the moment, not worrying about the mess.