TIME AT HOME
Do it
Clean up your
FESTIVE TABLE
Make fast work of tidying, leaving more time for family fun
1
CLEAR THE TABLE Once everyone has finished eating and retired to the living room, grab a couple of bin bags and begin clearing the table of used napkins, wrapping paper and crackers. Separate them into bags for paper and cardboard recycling, and one for the bin. Next, take all cutlery, tableware and glasses back to the kitchen and tidy away any candles or decorations, leaving your tablecloth clear of everything other than crumbs.
Decorations, from £3; lights, £8; tableware, from £3.50, all Sainsbury’s Home. Garland, £15; cutlery, £20; dining chairs, £100 for two, all Argos
2
BLAST ANY STAINS The quicker you’re able to tackle any stains on your tablecloth and napkins, the more likely they are to come up sparkling clean. Use tepid (not hot) water with washing-up liquid and dab at the stains to dilute them. Alternatively, use a specialised stain remover. Pop the dirty linens straight in the washing machine if possible.
3
CLEAN CROCKERY AND COOKWARE Soak up any oil from your roasting dishes using a couple of sheets of kitchen roll. Meanwhile, load the dishwasher with your crockery. If you’re washing by hand, clean glasses first, then follow with the rest of the tableware, leaving the grubbiest items until last. Return to your roasting tins and bin the oily paper. Soak the dishes in washing-up liquid and hot water for half an hour, before finally giving them a thorough wash.
4
FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT
SOAK THE SILVER Using the family silver for the special occasion? Give it a rinse to remove any pieces of food, then place the lot in a foil-lined baking tin. Pour over a mixture of warmed vinegar and a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda. Leave for several hours until any tarnish transfers to the foil, then rinse with cold water.
HAVE A SPARE TABLECLOTH AND SET OF NAPKINS ON HAND SO YOU DON’T NEED TO WASH AND DRY THE SAME SET READY FOR BOXING DAY BANISH GERMS
Flash extra-large anti-bacterial wipes, £2.85, Waitrose & Partners
The kit you need Bosch BCS612GB Series 6 Unlimited ProHome cordless vacuum, £269, Bosch
5
WIPE DOWN FURNITURE After the Christmas feast, it’s unlikely your dining furniture will have escaped without a splatter or two. Grab a pack of anti-bacterial wet wipes and give your table and chairs a quick once-over to remove any greasy fingerprints and grubby marks. Remember to give door handles a quick wipe down, too, just in case of lurking germs.
CONVENIENT & CORDLESS
SPILLS SAVIOUR EASY SCRUB
OXO soap squirting palm brush, £5.50, Dunelm
Wine No More! stain remover, £7.99 for 250ml, Lakeland
JANUARY 2021 | 107
