Ah, St. Patrick’s Day! A day when the rivers run green, the beer flows aplenty, and everyone discovers some distant Irish ancestry. But when the last reveler stumbles home, and the leprechaun hats look lonely and tossed aside, you must accept that the party’s over. Let’s roll up our sleeves and tackle the 10 things you’ll need to clean up after St. Patrick’s Day.
The Entire Kitchen
If your St. Patrick’s Day party was any good, your whole kitchen should need a good deep cleaning. Start by removing the mysterious sticky spots on the floor and the frosting fingerprints on the fridge. Who knows, you may even rediscover the original color of your kitchen walls!
Countertops
Don’t forget the kitchen countertops! These surfaces have seen it all—spills, stains, and slices of green cake forgotten in the festive frenzy. A gentle cleaner and a soft cloth will handle most countertop stains. However, heavier stains may require more stringent solutions and additional elbow grease. Your countertop was your ally in serving those festive snacks, so remember to show it some love!
Hardwood Floors
Your once-pristine hardwood floors now resemble a dance floor at an Irish pub. First, sweep away the confetti and dust. Once you have a clean surface, use a wood-friendly cleaner to restore your floor’s shine. This step is like giving your floor a rejuvenating spa day and helping it achieve a youthful glow.
Dishes and Glassware
The mountain of dishes in the sink will make you consider using disposable cups and plates next year. But for now, roll up your sleeves and dive in. You can play some lively Irish tunes to make this chore feel like an extension of the party!
Party Decorations
It’s time to take down those shamrock garlands and green balloons. While getting rid of your party decorations may feel like saying goodbye to old friends, there’s no reason to worry. Your decorations will be back next year! We recommend storing reusable decorations carefully for future festivities. You can spend your party budget on food and beer instead.
Food Waste
While we highly recommend eating leftovers the next day, eating the same food for days on end can become monotonous. Once you’ve had your fill of corned beef and cabbage, scrap the remains into the compost bin. You don’t want your St. Patrick’s Day feast to become a science experiment in the fridge.
Trash and Debris
If your house looks like a post-apocalyptic movie instead of a home, you should gather all the party trash and debris and send it packing. A good sweep will ensure your house no longer looks like it hosted an evil leprechaun convention.
Bathrooms
Cleaning the bathroom is arguably the worst thing you’ll need to clean up after St. Patrick’s Day. However, while the task isn’t glamorous, you need to do it. A thorough scrubbing will help your bathroom return to its original state.
Living Room Furniture
No one wants to live in a filthy house, especially the living room area where people spend most of their time. You must fluff those cushions, vacuum the couch, and find a few lost items from last night’s shenanigans. Your living room should be a place of relaxation, not a reminder of the party chaos.
Outdoor Patios
If your celebration was an indoor and outdoor affair, chances are your patio may have seen better days. A quick hose down will do wonders, and your patio will thank you for your hard work. We recommend investing in outdoor furniture that’s durable, long-lasting, and can handle a tough party crowd.
5 Tips for a Quick and Easy Post-Party Cleanup
Throwing a party is all fun and games until you see the aftermath: a battlefield of red solo cups, confetti in every nook and cranny, and mysterious stains. Here are some helpful tips for a quick and easy post-party cleanup.
Prep and Protect
Before your guests enter the door, think like a chess grandmaster and plan three moves ahead. Use disposable tablecloths to protect surfaces (yes, the ugly plastic ones—they’re lifesavers). Set out clearly labeled bins for trash and recycling. The less mess you have to deal with later, the quicker the cleanup!
The Magic of Baskets
Keep a few empty baskets or bins in strategic locations. Once the party’s over, swoop through each room with your magic basket and gather all the loose items. It’s like a treasure hunt, but it’s mostly empty cups and half-eaten snacks instead of treasure. Once you’ve completed the mission, you can throw all these items into a dumpster for trash removal.
Speed Cleaning Stations
This step is where things get creative. Set up mini cleaning stations around your house with wipes, paper towels, and trash bags. Post-party, you can zip around like a cleaning fairy, tackling spills and spots in record time. It’s not as glamorous as being a superhero, but the instant gratification you get from cleaning is more than worth it!
Dishwasher Tetris
If you have a dishwasher, make it your new best friend. Your goal is to fit as many dishes as possible—like a game of Tetris. Plates, glasses, and some plasticware can go in the dishwasher. Just give them a quick rinse before you put them in. The less you must wash by hand, the better.
Recruit a Team
Are you cleaning alone? That’s for mere mortals. Recruit a couple of trusty friends or family members to help. Promise them breakfast or eternal gratitude. With a team, you can divide and conquer the mess quickly. It’s teamwork at its finest, and you’ll finish the job much faster with some company.
How Vine Disposal Can Improve Your Post-Party Cleanup
After your post-party cleanup, your home will return to its pre-party glory. However, if you feel overwhelmed by the task, you can always find a house dumpster rental in Atlanta. Vine Disposal has a range of dumpster sizes perfect for adventurous cleanup jobs. With some help from our team, you’ll have your place looking brand new—until next St. Patrick’s Day, that is!