The turkey's ordered, the guest list is growing, and somehow the house looks messier every time you glance at it. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Holiday hosting is a lot of fun, but holiday prep can feel like a second job.
The good news: getting your home guest-ready doesn't have to be a last-minute scramble. With a little planning (and a solid checklist), you can spend less time scrubbing and more time actually enjoying the people you love.
Here's the holiday hosting checklist our Maple Grove cleaning PROs swear by.
The Short Version
Start your holiday prep about two weeks before guests arrive. Tackle the big jobs first, like decluttering, deep cleaning the oven, and cleaning out the fridge. In the final week, focus on the rooms guests will actually use: the entryway, kitchen, dining area, living room, and guest bathroom. Save the day before for a quick surface reset.
If your calendar is already packed, a one-time cleaning in Maple Grove can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the menu.
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, so if you're reading this in mid-November, the two-week countdown starts now!
Your Holiday Prep Timeline
Two Weeks Before Guests Arrive
This is the "big picture" phase. Get the hard stuff out of the way while you still have breathing room.
- Plan your guest list, menu, and seating so you know which rooms need attention.
- Declutter counters, entry tables, and the living room. If it doesn't have a holiday job, find it a new home.
- Book help early. Holiday weeks are busy for cleaning companies, so reach out for a free estimate as soon as you know your dates.
- Deep clean the oven before it becomes the star of the show.
- Wipe down ceiling fans, light fixtures, and baseboards (the places guests notice when they're sitting down).
One Week Out
Now shift your attention to guest comfort.
- Wash guest bedding, extra blankets, and bath towels.
- Stock the guest bathroom with toilet paper, hand soap, a fresh hand towel, and a spare toothbrush or two.
- Clear out the fridge to make space for leftovers, sides, and that third pie someone always brings.
- Test your serving dishes, roasting pan, and extra chairs. Wash anything that's been sitting in storage since last year.
Two to Three Days Out
Time to get the main hosting zones sparkling.
- Clean the kitchen top to bottom: countertops, backsplash, appliance fronts, microwave, and sink.
- Vacuum and wash floors, especially in the kitchen, entryway, and dining area.
- Set up a boot and coat station by the door (more on that below).
- Clean mirrors and glass in the guest bathroom and entry.
The Day Before
Keep it light. This is a reset, not a deep clean.
- Do a quick dust of the living room and dining room.
- Empty every trash can and recycling bin.
- Run and empty the dishwasher so it's ready for round one.
- Set the table if you can. Future you will be grateful.
The Day Of
Give yourself a 15-minute tidy before the doorbell rings.
- Wipe down the guest bathroom sink and toilet.
- Put out fresh hand towels.
- Light a candle, cue the playlist, and take a deep breath. You've got this!
Room-by-Room Holiday Hosting Checklist
Entryway
- Clear shoes, backpacks, and mail off the floor and tables.
- Put down a sturdy, washable mat inside and outside the door.
- Set out a boot tray and a spot for coats.
- Wipe fingerprints off the door, frame, and light switches.
Kitchen
- Disinfect countertops and the backsplash.
- Clean appliance exteriors, the microwave, and cabinet fronts.
- Clean oven and refrigerator interiors.
- Scrub and disinfect the sink.
- Vacuum and wash the floor.
Dining Area
- Dust the table, chairs, and light fixture.
- Wipe down chairs (crumbs from last year's party count!).
- Check linens and napkins for stains.
Living Room
- Vacuum upholstered furniture and fluff cushions and pillows.
- Dust furniture, lamps, picture frames, and baseboards.
- Vacuum carpets and clean hard floors.
- Make room for extra seating and a spot for coats if needed.
Guest Bathroom
- Scrub and disinfect the toilet, tub, shower, and sink.
- Shine fixtures and clean the mirror.
- Restock essentials and hang fresh towels.
- Empty the trash and add a liner.
Guest Bedroom
- Make the bed with fresh linens.
- Clear a dresser drawer and some closet space.
- Dust surfaces and vacuum under the bed.
- Leave a phone charger, Wi-Fi password, and a glass for water.
Minnesota Hosting Tips: Winter Edition
Hosting in Maple Grove comes with a special guest: winter. Between snow, slush, and road salt, your entryway takes a beating the moment family starts arriving.
A few tricks to keep your floors looking holiday-fresh:
- Double up on mats. One outside to catch snow, one inside to catch salt and grit.
- Create a "boots off" zone. A boot tray, a small bench, and a basket of house slippers make the rule feel cozy, not strict.
- Keep a towel handy for salt residue. Wipe up white salt marks on hard floors before they get tracked through the house.
- Plan for coats. A rolling rack or a cleared-out closet keeps a pile of puffy jackets from taking over your bed.
When to Call in the Pros
Let's be honest: between grocery runs, school events, work deadlines, and actual cooking, there aren't enough hours in November. That's where holiday cleaning from MaidPro Maple Grove comes in.
One-time cleaning in Maple Grove is a great fit if you want your home guest-ready without committing to a recurring schedule. There's no contract, and you tell us which areas matter most. Our PROs follow our 49-Point Checklist, which covers kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas, and they bring all their own supplies.
Want to go further? Our add-on services include:
- Oven interior cleaning
- Refrigerator interior cleaning
- Cabinets
- Blinds
- Dishwashing and laundry
One quick heads-up: we don't offer carpet shampooing or window washing, so plan those separately if they're on your list.
Locally owned and operated since 2006, MaidPro Maple Grove serves homes throughout Maple Grove, as well as Osseo, Champlin, Hamel, Rogers, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, and Corcoran. Every PRO is background-checked, trained, bonded, and insured.
Don't Forget the After-Party
Once the last guest heads home and the leftovers are packed, you might be staring down a kitchen that looks like a cooking show blooper reel. We offer post-holiday cleaning, too, so you can book a clean for the day after and enjoy one more slice of pie instead of scrubbing roasting pans.
Hosting more than once this season? Book a pre-holiday clean before Thanksgiving and a post-holiday clean after your December gathering to keep things manageable from November through New Year's.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start cleaning for Thanksgiving?
Start your holiday prep about two weeks before guests arrive. Use the first week for decluttering and bigger jobs like cleaning the oven and refrigerator, and the final days for the kitchen, guest bathroom, entryway, and floors.
What should be on a holiday hosting checklist?
A good holiday hosting checklist covers the entryway, kitchen, dining area, living room, guest bathroom, and guest bedroom. Key tasks include decluttering, disinfecting kitchen and bathroom surfaces, washing guest linens, cleaning out the refrigerator, and setting up a spot for coats and boots.
Does MaidPro offer one-time cleaning in Maple Grove?
Yes. MaidPro Maple Grove offers one-time cleaning with no contract required. It's a popular choice before Thanksgiving and the holidays, and you can tell us which areas need the most attention.
Can MaidPro clean my oven and refrigerator before the holidays?
Yes. Oven interior and refrigerator interior cleaning are available as add-on services, along with cabinets, blinds, dishwashing, and laundry.
Do you offer cleaning after a holiday party?
Yes. MaidPro Maple Grove offers both pre-holiday and post-holiday cleaning, so you can get your home guest-ready before the party and back to normal afterward.
Do I need to be home during my holiday cleaning?
No. As long as we have instructions and a way to get into your home, you don't need to be present.
Do your PROs bring their own cleaning supplies?
Yes. Our PROs bring all the supplies and equipment they need, and our products are safe for pets and kids.
Does MaidPro wash windows or shampoo carpets?
No. MaidPro Maple Grove does not offer carpet shampooing or window washing.
Which areas does MaidPro Maple Grove serve?
We clean homes throughout Maple Grove and in Osseo, Champlin, Hamel, Rogers, Plymouth, Brooklyn Park, and Corcoran.
How much does holiday cleaning cost in Maple Grove?
The cost depends on your home's size, number of bathrooms, pets, condition, and the services you choose. MaidPro Maple Grove provides free, customized estimates.
Get Guest-Ready Without the Stress
Your holiday table deserves your full attention, and so do your guests. Let MaidPro Maple Grove handle the scrubbing, dusting, and mopping so you can focus on the good stuff.
Call (763) 416-9969 or request your free estimate today to book your holiday cleaning in Maple Grove.
