Cleanup: 3 Quick and Easy Tips for After Your Gathering

by Jan Kennemer 06/08/2025

Getting together with friends and family can be a very rewarding experience. Good food, great conversations, time well-spent with the ones you love and a chance to show off your home. However, when all the festivities are done, you’re often left with a mess you probably don’t want to contend with.

Here are 3 simple ways to minimize the after-gathering cleanup and help your home stay spotless.

Dishwasher

Depending on whether you’ve opted for reusable cutlery and dishware, your dishwasher could reduce your cleaning time dramatically. Most washers can handle 2-3 sinks-worth of dishes. Another bonus to their overall capacity is the amount of water that you could save using your dishwasher. Not only will you save time, but your wallet may thank you for the added efficiency.

Clean Surfaces

Clean surfaces are another great way to keep yourself out of the cleaning cycle for longer than is absolutely necessary. While some may think you need to follow guests and pick up after them, simply removing things from a few surfaces could help you when the festivities are over.

Moving a few decorative items to another shelf or surface opens space for your guests to use to set their items down. After your event, you have a neat and targeted area that you can tidy with ease. No need to run around hunting for plates, napkins, cutlery and other dishes or drinkware. Then, simply wipe the surfaces and replace your decor.

Disposables

While dishwashers save a lot of time, not all dwellings have them, or they may be out of order for the time being. Disposable plates, utensils, drinkware and napkins are all viable options. Given the advances in every-day consumer products, you have access to eco-friendly choices, if you’d prefer. Bamboo, recycled paper or compostable disposables are great options; and when you’re done, you’ll be able to clean up by simply tossing the disposables away.

Having gatherings is one advantage to your home. You and yours should be able to enjoy it and each other’s company without dreading the cleanup. Try these tips during your next get-together, and watch your cleaning time dwindle.

About the Author

Jan Kennemer

Jan will show you how you can live close to Washington, DC – by public transit and/or highway – and still enjoy all the many amenities and friendliness of a quiet community. Jan is a life-long resident of Arlington, Va. So, she is very familiar with northern Virginia …Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and close-in Fairfax. She knows where to find those little out-of the-way places where you will still get excellent value and a home that meets your needs. As a Realtor® for over 20 years, Jan has developed a customized system for marketing and selling properties which includes the latest technologies combined with tried and true practices. She has received special training in working with first time buyers, repeat buyers and seniors. She is a certified VHDA trainer and is certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES©). Jan is also a certified e-Pro. She gets results you want – the best price in the shortest time. Jan is dedicated to helping clients satisfy their needs and wants while providing them with a strong investment for the future. She is readily available to provide explanations and information. She won’t push you into making an uncomfortable choice. Jan helps you to fully understand the transaction, so that you can always make an informed decision based on facts and figures.