After-Party Cleaning Checklist for Your Home

The guests have gone home, the music's off, and you're standing in a lounge room full of cups, crumbs and a mystery stain on the rug. Whether it was a birthday, a Christmas get-together, a footy grand final or a backyard barbecue, after party cleaning is far easier with a plan. A few minutes on the night can save hours the next day. This checklist breaks the job into what to do before bed, what to do the next morning, and a room-by-room clean. It also covers spills and stains, rubbish and recycling, and getting rid of lingering smells.

Before the Party: Set Yourself Up

A little preparation makes the clean-up much quicker. • Put out plenty of bins, including a recycling bin, in the kitchen, outdoor area and near where people gather. • Line bins with extra bags stacked underneath, so you can swap them quickly. • Put away valuables, breakables and anything you don't want touched. • Use doormats at every entry, and consider a rug runner in the hallway. • Cover or move light-coloured furniture if red wine is on the menu. • Keep a spill kit handy: paper towel, a clean white cloth, a spray bottle of water and a little dishwashing liquid. • Start with an empty dishwasher and empty bins.

On the Night: Five Things Before Bed

You don't need to clean everything at midnight, but these five jobs make a big difference. 1. Deal with spills and stains. Fresh spills are much easier to remove. Blot, don't rub. Our guide on how to remove carpet stains covers wine, food, grease and more. 2. Put food away. Refrigerate leftovers promptly. Food left out overnight attracts pests and isn't safe to eat. The NSW Food Authority has guidance on keeping food safe. 3. Get rubbish out of the house. Tie up bags and take them to the outside bins so the house doesn't smell in the morning. 4. Soak or stack dishes. Load the dishwasher and run it. Soak pans with baked-on food. 5. Check for hazards. Pick up broken glass carefully, blow out candles, and make sure the barbecue gas is off.

The Next Morning: A Sensible Order

Work from the messiest, most-used areas outward, and from top to bottom within each room.

1. Open up

Open windows and doors to air the house out. Fresh air goes a long way towards removing stale smells.

2. Do a rubbish sweep

Walk through every room and the outdoor area with two bags, one for rubbish and one for recycling. Collect cups, cans, bottles, napkins and plates. Check under furniture, behind cushions and in the garden.

3. Return things to their places

Put furniture back, return borrowed chairs and tables, and gather items guests left behind.

4. Kitchen

• Unload the dishwasher and run a second load if needed. • Wash pans and serving platters. • Clean benches, the stovetop, the sink and the splashback. • Wipe cupboard doors and handles, especially around the bin and fridge. • Wipe the fridge handle and shelves where drinks were kept. • Clean the barbecue while it's still slightly warm, following the manufacturer's instructions. • Sweep and mop the floor.

5. Living and dining areas

• Wipe tables, coffee tables and other surfaces where drinks were put down. Check for rings on timber. • Vacuum couches and cushions to remove crumbs. • Spot-clean upholstery stains. See our upholstery deep cleaning guide for fabric-specific tips. • Vacuum carpets and rugs thoroughly, then mop hard floors. • Wipe light switches, door handles and remote controls.

6. Bathrooms

Guest bathrooms get heavy use at parties. • Clean and disinfect the toilet, basin and taps. • Wipe mirrors and benches. • Empty bins and restock toilet paper, soap and hand towels. • Mop the floor.

7. Outdoor areas

• Collect rubbish from the yard, deck and garden beds. • Sweep or hose the deck, patio and paths. • Wipe outdoor tables and chairs. • Clean the barbecue if you haven't already. • Check for broken glass in the grass, especially if you have kids or pets.

After a Kids' Party

Children's parties bring their own kind of mess: icing on the walls, glitter in the carpet, balloon scraps and sticky fingerprints at small-person height. • Pick up balloon pieces and small toys straight away, because they're a choking hazard for younger children and pets. • Vacuum glitter and confetti with a crevice tool first, then go over the area again. A lint roller helps on upholstery. • Wipe walls, doors, glass and furniture at child height with a damp microfibre cloth. • Check under tables and chairs for dropped food before it gets trodden in. • Wash plastic tablecloths and reusable party plates in warm soapy water before putting them away.

Tackling Common After-Party Stains

• Red wine: blot immediately, dilute with cool water, then use a small amount of mild detergent solution. Rinse and blot. • Grease and food: scrape off any solids, absorb oil with bicarbonate of soda, then clean with a mild detergent solution. • Candle wax: let it harden, scrape gently, then use the brown paper and warm iron method on suitable fabrics. • Drink rings on timber: wipe up and dry immediately. For marks that don't come off, check the furniture manufacturer's advice before trying anything abrasive. • Sticky floors: mop with warm water and a little detergent, changing the water often. For stains that won't budge, a professional carpet or upholstery clean is often the best fix. See our carpet cleaning service.

Getting Rid of Lingering Smells

• Ventilate the house well. • Empty and wash bins, including the kitchen bin. • Clean the source of any smells, such as spills on carpets or upholstery, rather than using air freshener. • Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on carpets, leave it for a while, and vacuum. • Wash throws, cushion covers and tablecloths.

Rubbish and Recycling

Parties create a lot of waste. Check your local council's recycling rules, because they vary across Sydney. In NSW, many eligible drink containers can be returned through the Return and Earn scheme for a refund. If you've got more rubbish than your bins can hold, check whether your council offers extra collections.

If You Hosted an Airbnb or Holiday Rental Party

If a party happened at a short-stay rental you manage, the clean-up also needs to get the property guest-ready. Our Airbnb cleaning service covers turnover cleans, including after events.

Book a Post-Party Clean

Sometimes the best plan is to let someone else do it. Our house cleaning service can book a one-off clean for the day after your event, so you can enjoy the party and wake up to a clean house. Contact iCleanPro to book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I clean first after a party?

Start with anything that can stain or smell: spills, food and rubbish. Then work through the kitchen, living areas, bathrooms and outdoor areas.

How do I get the smell of alcohol out of carpet?

Blot the spill thoroughly, clean with a mild detergent solution, rinse with plain water and blot dry. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on the area once dry, leave it for a while and vacuum. If the smell persists, a professional carpet clean can help.

Can I book a cleaner for the day after a party?

Yes. Many cleaning companies offer one-off cleans. Book ahead, especially around Christmas and New Year, and let the cleaner know about any stains or areas that need extra attention.

How do I prevent party mess in the first place?

Put out plenty of bins, use doormats, protect light-coloured furniture, and keep a spill kit handy so spills are dealt with straight away.

After-Party Cleaning Checklist: Getting Your Home Back to Normal