Before the party: make the clean-up easier
A little preparation saves a lot of scrubbing. Roll up valuable rugs, put away anything fragile, and lay out more bins and recycling bags than you think you'll need. Use plastic glasses for outdoor areas. Put a doormat at every entrance and coasters on wooden furniture. Have your stain kit ready – white cloths, washing-up liquid, white vinegar and a carpet spotter – so spills can be blotted on the night.
The night itself
If you can, deal with red wine, curry and similar spills as they happen. Blot, add a little cold water and blot again. Even five minutes' attention prevents most permanent stains. Empty bins before they overflow and clear bottles as they're finished.
The morning after: work in this order
A clear order stops you cleaning the same areas twice:
1. Air and safety
Open the windows to clear stale air. Check for and safely collect any broken glass first, using thick gloves and a dustpan, then vacuum the area. Make sure candles and any outdoor barbecue embers are out.
2. Rubbish and recycling
Walk round with two bags – one for rubbish and one for recycling – and collect everything. Empty half-full cans and glasses into the sink first. Check under sofas, behind curtains and in the garden.
3. Dishes and kitchen
Load the dishwasher, then soak what doesn't fit. Wipe sticky worktops and clear the hob. Empty the kitchen bin and wash it if it's sticky.
4. Stains
Tackle carpet and upholstery stains next, while they're still relatively fresh. Our carpet stain removal guide covers wine, beer, food, grease and wax.
5. Surfaces, floors and bathrooms
Wipe tables and surfaces, clean the bathroom (which usually needs it most), then vacuum and mop the floors last. Sticky floors from spilled drinks may need two mops: one with warm soapy water and one with clean water.
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Common after-party problems
A few problems come up after almost every party:
- Beer on carpet: blot, then a mild washing-up liquid solution with a splash of white vinegar to tackle the smell; rinse and blot
- Candle wax: let it harden, scrape, then lift the rest with brown paper and a warm iron
- Sticky floors: warm water with washing-up liquid, then a clean water rinse
- Smoke smell: air rooms, wash throws and cushion covers, and sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpets before vacuuming
- Rings on wooden tables: see our wooden furniture guide for treating white rings
- Garden debris: rake up cigarette ends and bottle caps from lawns and borders
Booking an after party clean
Many cleaning companies offer after party cleaning as a one-off service, often available at weekends. It's usually priced like a one-off or deep clean – by the hour or as a fixed price depending on the size of the home and the state it's in – with carpet and upholstery stain treatment as an optional extra. Book in advance for busy times such as New Year, Christmas and summer weekends.
Holiday let and Airbnb hosts sometimes need an urgent post-party clean after guests break the rules. Many changeover cleaning companies charge an extra fee for this, which hosts may be able to recover through the booking platform's damage process – take photos first. See Airbnb and holiday let cleaning.
Parties in rented homes
If you rent, check your tenancy agreement for any restrictions, and clean thoroughly afterwards – stains and damage can become deposit deductions at the end of the tenancy. A professional carpet clean is often cheaper than replacing a stained carpet. See our guide to deposit deductions for cleaning.
