7 Brilliant Tips for Post-Party Clean-up

This post was sponsored by Color Scents; all opinions are my own.

Hosting a party for family & friends is one of my favorite things of all time. However, the clean-up afterwards can sometimes seem overwhelming. Luckily, by taking some precautions ahead of time & being prepared with the right products, it’s totally possible to streamline your post-party clean-up routine. From setting up a dedicated cleaning caddy to using the NEW Color Scents 13-gallon stretch trash bags, keep reading for my best tips.

1. Set out plenty of coasters!

What’s a party without plenty of delicious beverages, am I right?! To prevent water rings on wood furniture, set out plenty of coasters throughout your home for guests. You can find packages that contain 10-20 coasters at many stores, so coasters are an affordable way to protect your furniture from those pesky stains caused by condensation. If you have particularly special furniture (antiques, moisture-sensitive, etc.), consider placing a tablecloth or runner on the tables for extra protection.

2. Use the right trash bags!

To minimize the mess caused by a party, make wastebaskets accessible for the guests; this will encourage them to throw their trash away rather than leaving random napkins & cups around. Also, be sure to fill your waste baskets with the NEW Color Scents 13-gallon stretch trash bags found at Walmart.

These trash bags feature a subtle color & scent to add a distinctly stylish touch to the everyday wastebasket.

The Color Scents Stretch bag (in the Linen Fresh scent) is a gorgeous NEW silver / gray color, which goes perfectly with my stainless steel trash can. Talk about color coordination! There’s also the Color Scents Stretch bag in Meadow Fresh (this is a NEW scent). Both trash bags are durable and strong with a consistent bag thickness from top to bottom. Plus, the innovative embossed-pattern on the bags makes it easy for the bag to stretch around tough trash, thereby resisting tears and punctures.

What’s one of my pet peeves when it comes to trash bags? It’s when the bag falls into the wastebasket as I’m filling it. Luckily, that’s not a problem with the Color Scents Stretch bags! Outfitted with the Right-Fit® Drawstring, these bags are easily secured to the rim even as the bag is loaded with heavy trash. No more trash bags falling into the wastebasket!

The Color Scents Stretch bags are strong, stretchy & stylish and can easily contain all our family’s trash.

Escape the Ordinary™ for yourself and experience the subtle colors and scents that are unique to Color Scents brand.

By the way, there’s a fabulous promotion going on June/July (2018) on these 13-gallon Color Scents Stretch trash bags. While supplies last, you can take advantage of a $1.00 off instant redeemable coupon found on the packaging in Walmart stores.

3. Empty the dishwasher!

Before the party starts, make sure to run the dishwasher and empty it. This way, you can load dirty dishes & utensils right into the (clean) dishwasher throughout the party. If you don’t have a ready-to-use dishwasher, dirty dishes will accumulate in the sink, causing a bigger clean-up after the party. As the party draws to a close, consider filling your sink with some soapy water. For pots, pans & serving dishes that are too large for the dishwasher, soak them in your sink for an easier clean-up once guests leave.

4. Use disposable party supplies!

One of the easiest ways to minimize clean-up after a party is to use disposable plates, cups and flatware. Choose items that can be recycled for an environmentally-friendly party! Oh, and just because it’s disposable doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant and festive. With the wide variety of designs available at stores nowadays, you don’t have to sacrifice style when you choose disposable party supplies. Don’t forget to add a little extra pizzazz to the tablescape with fun napkins & straws!

5. Remove rugs!

Whenever I have a party in my house, I roll up my rugs and store them in the garage. It makes clean-up so much easier. Since we have hardwood flooring or tile throughout the house, sweeping & mopping after a party is all it takes to clean up. By removing the rugs, I don’t have to worry about spot-treating a valuable rug.

6. Tackle stains

Even if you have taken all the necessary precautions, stains may still occur. Maybe a guest got some tomato sauce on your throw pillow or maybe a child spilled their juice onto a decorative throw. First, blot the excess liquid out of the fabric with a dry paper towel. Then use a homemade stain remover (baking soda & hydrogen peroxide work well) to tackle the stain. If you’re finding spots on furniture, scrub with a gentle cleanser, such as baking soda mixed with water.

7. Set up a cleaning caddy!

When tackling any cleaning job, having a dedicated basket with all your supplies will help you streamline your efforts. Here are some of the tools I keep on hand for quick clean-up: toothbrush, microfiber cloth, squeegee, all-purpose cleaner, antibacterial wipes, scrub brush, etc.

Don’t forget to check out the Color Scents Stretch trash bags in-store or online at Walmart. Now I’d love to hear from you. What is your best tip for cleaning up after a party?

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