Guide | October 10, 2024

There’s lots to prepare in the run-up to Christmas – presents to wrap, food to buy and plenty of household chores. 

But getting your home guest-ready needn’t be overwhelming, especially with the right tools and a little strategic cleaning. 

Our Dyson engineers share how to maintain a healthy home this holiday season – minus the stress. 

Here’s our 24-day easy cleaning countdown. 

Check your vacuum

Before you begin festive cleaning, check your vacuum is up to the job. Wash the filter in warm water and leave it to dry thoroughly for 24 hours. Empty the bin and clear the cleaner head of any excess debris.

Declutter and make space

To prepare for extra guests, it’s a good idea to have a clear-out. Declutter by recycling old magazines and newspapers that gather dust, removing expired food from the fridge and freezer, and donating unwanted items to charity. 

Vacuum in hard-to-reach places

Use your Dyson vacuum cleaner accessories to clean under furniture, in narrow gaps, and in awkward crevices. Wherever there’s dust, there’s the possibility of dust mites and allergens.

Dust high and low

Our first Global Dust Study revealed that one in three people clean only when they spot visible dust. However, it’s important to remove invisible fine dust that collects in areas such as ceilings, walls, skirting boards, lamps and lampshades.

Dust behind radiators

Used frequently as we look to make our homes warm over winter, radiators are another often overlooked area during cleaning. We recommend using our vacuum Extension hose and Crevice tool to reach behind them.

Vacuum your couch

We spend more time than usual on our couches at Christmas, which can fill the upholstery with skin cells that dust mites feed on. Vacuuming your couch and armchairs removes debris, dust mites, skin flakes and other allergens such as pollen.

Prepare your guest bedroom

Making sure your guests have a restful night’s sleep starts with preparing their bed. Wash duvets and pillows to reduce the amount of dust mites and skin flakes. Washing bedding at 60-90 degrees will help to break down allergens.

Don’t forget your mattress

Dust mites thrive in dark, warm, humid conditions, meaning your mattress can be a hot bed of microscopic life. With festive naps on the horizon, use the Dyson Mattress tool to remove dust, dirt and allergens.

Dust decorations and ornaments

It’s time to bring your Christmas decorations down from the loft. Before hanging them on the tree, give them a well-needed vacuum-assisted dust with the Dyson Soft dusting brush. Its soft bristles gently lift dust from delicate surfaces. It can also be used to clean curtains, blinds and furniture.

Keep pet dander at bay

If your pets are getting cosy over the holidays, stay on top of pet dander. Vacuum fur and microscopic allergens from pet beds with our Hair screw tool. The Pet groom tool can also be used to capture loose hairs as you brush your furry friend.

Pollutants wrapped up

Central heating can disturb microscopic dust and cosy fires mean more particulate matter from burning wood. Vacuum around your fireplace and use an air purifier with HEPA filtration such as the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP04 to reduce pollutants in your home.

Clean winter blankets

Chances are that cosy throw or fleecy blanket you’ve been snuggling up to has accumulated everything from pet hair to food crumbs. Wash it on an appropriate heat and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Swap candles for warm-coloured lighting

Scented candles can create a cosy atmosphere, but they may also release VOCs into your environment.  So, use warm-coloured lighting such as the Dyson Solarcycle Morph floor lamp to relax in the evening – signalling to your body that the night is drawing in.

Prepare your oven for festive feasts

Clean the oven at least a week in advance of cooking your Christmas dinner as oven cleaning products often release harmful VOCs.  Use an air purifier with activated carbon filtration to minimise airborne compounds in your home faster.

Keep your tree happy

Christmas trees thrive in relative humidity levels of around 40%.  Try using a hygienic humidifier to help your tree last longer and drop less needles. Dyson humidifiers have in-built intelligence that adds moisture to the air automatically.

Wash your hard floors

As your home sees more visitors over the festive period, your floors can become noticeably dirtier. Use Dyson WashG1™ wet floor cleaner to powerfully tackle spills, debris and tough stains on hard floors. The machine washes away dirt conventional mops smear around.

Pick up pine needles

Christmas tree needles seem to get everywhere over the holidays. So, with the big day fast approaching, now’s a good time to vacuum them from under the tree. If using an artificial tree, use the Dyson Soft dusting brush to remove excess dust, without disturbing ornaments. 

Get party-ready

Ahead of the most popular weekend of Christmas parties, vacuum carpets, hard floors, rugs and other high-traffic areas. Dyson Gen5detect™vacuum – our most powerful HEPA cordless vacuum cleaner – comes with a Built-in dusting and crevice tool, perfect for on-the-spot cleans before guests arrive. Simply detach the wand with a click, to reveal the tool inside.

Post-party cleaning

Tidying after the night before can be a challenge. But if you’ve just hosted a party, then the Dyson Vis Nav™ robot vacuum is ready to deep clean your home – corners and edges included. Its triple action brush bar and extending side duct captures all kinds of festive mess.

Remove vacuum blockages

Make sure your vacuum doesn’t get wrapped up in Christmas chaos. Dyson vacuums have been engineered for easy maintenance, with parts that can be removed and cleared of any blockages such as tinsel and ribbons.

Capture their crumbs

The festive season can come with a sprinkling of mischief, especially if you’ve got your own little elves to clean up after. Use your vacuum Crevice tool once again to quickly tackle Christmas cake on the sofa, crushed crisps and wrapping paper debris.

Kitchen preparation

Clear kitchen counters and cupboards ready for the ‘big shop’. Deep clean all surfaces with warm water and detergent or cleaning product. A sparkling kitchen can help you to relax and feel more prepared.

Time for bed

Christmas can be hectic so get plenty of rest. If your Dyson air purifier has Night mode, it will monitor and respond to changes in air quality using the quietest settings. So your environment is controlled without disturbing your sleep.

Put your feet up and enjoy

The festivities have begun so aside from cooking, it’s time to relax – you deserve it! Remember that cooking, particularly frying, can release unwanted gases and particulate matter. An air purifier with fully sealed filtration will remove not only these gases, but also any cooking odours.