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Easy Cleanup After Thanksgiving Dinner

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? If so, you may be dreading the after-dinner cleanup. Don’t worry we have five easy tricks that you can do to make cleaning up a breeze. By preparing just a little you can enjoy time with your family and friends instead of spending all of your time in the kitchen.

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pans

Turkey in an oven

There is no doubt you will be using your oven a lot. Help yourself out by lining the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil so that any drippings will fall on it and not your oven. This will save you from scrubbing and cleaning your entire oven later. Do the same with your pans. You can line them with foil or parchment paper. Then when you are done you can simply remove it and your pans will not be nearly as dirty.

2. Use a Tablecloth

Place settings in a restaurant

Make sure you use a tablecloth to make table clean up easier. After you clear the dishes all you need to do is roll up your tablecloth to keep crumbs from getting everywhere. Take your tablecloth outside and shake it out. Then when everyone is gone you can toss it in the washing machine. Simple and easy.

3. Have a Soaking Bin

Bubbles

Make dishwashing easy by getting a large tub and filling it with soapy water. Place your dishes in it as soon as you are done with them. Let them sit and soak until after your guests are gone. That way you don’t have to spend precious time washing dishes over quality family time and your dishes will be easier to clean when you do. You can even put the tub out of the way so that no one sees it!

4. Triple Line Garbage Cans

Counter

Double or triple line your garbage cans so that when one gets full, you already have one ready to go. A lot of food and people leads to a lot of trash. This will save you time and hassle of going to get another bag every time it fills up.

5. Clean as You Go 

hand cleaning a counter

Wipe up spills and rinse platters as you are cooking. Don’t leave everything until the end. It will make it so much easier when you are done. Remember you don’t have to take everything on yourself. Kids can help clear the table and help with the clean up too.

Now go enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner without stressing about the cleanup. You will enjoy your day so much more. Remember that ServiceMaster Restoration is available should you need any of our services. We offer 24/7 Emergency Fire and Water Damage Damage Services. No mess is too big for us to handle.