Holiday hosting is all fun and games… until someone has to clear the table or load the dishwasher. In a new poll from the International Housewares Association (IHA), people ranked cleaning up after hosting as the most challenging aspect of at-home entertaining.
This hosting task earned 31% of the pie, followed by preparing everything at the same time (22%), cooking (15%), planning (9%) and keeping the food warm (7%). While you can’t avoid cleaning altogether, there are steps you can take to make the post-party reset much easier.
Use Oven-to-Table Pieces
When your bakeware and cookware look beautiful enough for the table, you can save yourself time during cleanup. “This creates a cozy, family-style meal without dirtying any other serving bowls or dishes,” explains Alicia Sokolowski, professional cleaner and founder of AspenClean. “Just make sure to use a heatproof trivet underneath.”
Make One-Pot Dishes
One-dish meals are also helpful when you’re trying to limit the amount of pots and pans you need to dirty, says Enrique Gonzalez, house cleaning professional and founder of Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy. “Sheet-pan meals are also a great option since they can help contain most of the mess to one pan.”
Line All Your Trays
Whenever a recipe allows, Gonzalez recommends using parchment paper or aluminum foil as a liner. This makes removing stuck-on food much easier. “Just make sure that the parchment paper you’re using is okay for the temperature of your oven and that it isn’t coming up over the edges of the pan,” he advises.
Pre-Clean
Before your event, try to prep as much as you can so cleanup goes more smoothly. Ryen Toft, founder of Simply Luxe Organizing, says this includes unloading the dishwasher and making sure the trashcan is empty (with a few spare bags folded at the bottom of the can). Also clear out the refrigerator to make room for leftovers and any food guests bring.
Have a “Spill Kit” Ready
Keep paper towels, microfiber cloths, multipurpose spray, and antibacterial wipes at the ready in case of any messes. “This makes greasy foods, sauces, and drinks much easier to clean up before they have a chance to dry or seep into the surface,” Gonzalez says. Just be sure to use a cleaner that’s appropriate for the material.
Protect Your Surfaces
On that note, protect surfaces where you can. Place a mat at the entryway to collect wet or muddy shoes, use a tablecloth or placemats that can be easily wiped or laundered, and have coasters accessible to prevent rings on your furniture. You can also place a washable runner or mat beneath food and drink stations to catch spills and crumbs before they reach the floor.
Set Up a Drop Zone
Toft recommends setting up a self-serve drop zone for your guests. For example, a tray or bin by the kitchen for used glasses and plates, and a small labeled bin for recycling. “This means guests clear their own spots without wandering into the kitchen. You'll wake up to one tray to deal with instead of plates on every surface, Toft says.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
