Holiday Party Prep Guide

Holiday Party Prep Guide
MAKE IT SHINE: Before the holidays arrive, spare some time to attend to those oft-neglected but necessary chores such as polishing the furniture and the silver.
Holiday Party Prep Guide
SILVER CARE: To slow tarnishing, store silver away from heat, sun, and salt--and never wrap it in plastic. Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths have polish incorporated into each cloth. The economy size includes a pair of gloves and a buffing cloth; capecodpolish.com. FURNITURE CARE: To revive furniture new and old, apply a quality product, such as Howard Naturals Wood Cleaner and Polish, then buff gently with a soft cloth to remove built-up dust and grime. Made with all-natural ingredients, the product comes in three pleasant scents; howardnaturals.com. YOUR CLEANING CALENDAR: Make a date to clean house with an easy plan from Linda Cobb, host of "Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean" on the DIY network. Starting two weeks ahead of time, box up clutter. Your house will look tidier and you'll make room for holiday decorations. A week beforehand, look over your linens to ensure they are clean and wrinkle free. Then get the dishes and silver out of storage and clean them. A few days before the event, dust, vacuum, polish furniture, and clean the bathrooms. Now you'll have time to relax and enjoy your guests.
Holiday Party Prep Guide
CARING FOR LINENS: Special-occasion tablecloths and napkins are often delicate and require extra care. Follow these guidelines to keep them beautiful for years to come. CLEANING: Avoid detergents with additives, such as bleach, stain removers, or fabricsoftener. Choose a high-quality, gentle detergent to be safe. Delicate heirloom cloths should be hand washed. STAIN REMOVAL: Pre-treat greasy stains before laundering with a dollop of gentle shampoo. STORAGE: Place clean tablecloths over a padded hangerto prevent creasing. Never store them in plastic, as it can cause fabric to yellow.
Holiday Party Prep Guide
FLOOR CARE: Spills are part of life. But with the right tools on hand, they don't have to bring the party to a screeching halt. Try these products designed for different messes. DOUBLE-DUTY VACUUM: Electrolux's Pronto cordless stick vacuum cleaner can tackle any surface--hardwood floors, carpeting, or area rugs--and carries a detachable hand vac right on board for small cleanups. Its battery takes just 20 minutes to fully charge. electroluxusa.com. QUICKEST FIX: CarpetFlick is the latest gadget from Swiffer. Just attach the double-sided cleaning cartridge to the base and quickly move back and forth over carpet. Dust and hair sticks to the bottom, while heavier debris is flipped inside and trapped. swiffer.com. DEEP CLEANING -- ANYWHERE: Hoover's SteamVacDuo combines the features of an upright with an easy-to-use portable machine. With the handle up, cleaning your entire carpet is fast work. Use the Powered Hand Tool for corners, stairs, and other out-of-the-way places. hoover.com.
Holiday Party Prep Guide
AN AFTER-PARTY SPOT CHECK: With people mingling at the party, bits of food and drink can easily find their way onto your upholstery or carpet, and leave nasty stains. Remember to do a quick run-through once guests have left so that you can spot treat anystains before they set and become a permanent problem. SOLUTIONS TO YOUR CLEANING CONUNDRUMS: What's the best way to remove red-wine stains from my grandmother's tablecloth? Sprinkle salt over the stain right away to keep it from setting. Then try Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover; it often removes the stain on contact. $7.99, drugstore.com. How can I get the melted candle wax out of candleholders without scratching them? Place your favorite candlesticks or tea-light holders in the freezer for a couple ofhours. Once it's been chilled, the hardened wax should slide out relatively effortlessly. My guests' shoes have left scuff marks on the linoleum. What will get these out? First, try rubbing a fabric-softener sheet over the marks. If that fails, use a dry steel-wool pad or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove the pesky black scuff marks. Wet glasses have left my table covered with rings and water marks. Can it be saved?To restore the moisture to the wood, massage a mixture of mayonnaise and salt into the surface. Let the wood absorb it for 24 hours and then wipe away. Clean the table as usual. Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: http://www.countryliving.com/homes/home-maintenance/holiday-Party-Guide-1105