The festive season has an unmistakable feel to it. It seems to add a sparkle to everything. Christmas decorations are everywhere, festive playlists are on repeat, year-end functions fill diaries, restaurants buzz, and shops take on that end-of-year energy as shoppers hunt for the perfect gift.
December also coincides with the summer holidays, when hotels, resorts, lodges and B&Bs welcome scores of holidaymakers. It’s busy, bright, slightly chaotic and peak season for the hospitality and retail sectors.
This means plenty is happening behind the scenes too. And as establishments prepare, there’s one question worth asking before the surge begins: will your cleaning routine keep up?
“The holiday season puts extra pressure on every part of a business, and cleaning is no exception,” says Jeffrey Madkins, Marketing Manager at Unilever Professional. “When rooms are turning over faster, restaurants are busier, and there’s more customer traffic through the door, the challenge is maintaining the same cleaning standards at a quicker pace. That’s when a little preparation can make the demands of the season a lot easier to manage.”
Set the Stage
Some cleaning tasks demand more time, equipment or effort and fall outside an operation’s everyday routine. So, it makes sense to tackle them before occupancy, reservations and foot traffic increase.
“Think of it as starting December with a top-to-bottom clean, then maintaining that standard once the rush is on, without having to cut corners,” Madkins adds.
Every establishment is different, but big jobs may involve deep cleaning carpets, drapes, soft furnishings, mattresses and upholstery, as well as grout, drains and showerheads. For retailers, focus areas could include change rooms, stockrooms, restrooms and displays. And in professional kitchens, degreasing equipment and extraction areas, sanitising drains, washing walls and ceilings, and descaling dishwashers might be on the list of priority tasks.
It’s also a good time for establishments to schedule seasonal cleaning of air vents, HVAC servicing where necessary and pest control checks.
“Once the heavy lifting is done, the focus should shift to keeping day-to-day cleaning operations running smoothly as business picks up,” Madkins notes.
He highlights four questions businesses should ask to spot potential gaps and strengthen their readiness:
1. Do you have enough hands on deck?
More customers mean more cleaning. Review expected occupancy, bookings, and traffic, and decide whether your usual team can handle the extra load.
If not, temporary staff may be worth considering. Bringing in extra help and training them may cost more, but it can be worth it compared with reputational damage or inconsistent standards from overworked staff.
2. Does your cleaning schedule need to change?
Bathrooms, floors and high-touch surfaces will need even more cleaning. Housekeeping and restaurant teams may also face shorter turnarounds between guests.
Use appropriate cleaning products and equipment to help teams work efficiently and maintain hygiene standards during busy periods.
3. Are roles clear?
Well-defined responsibilities are particularly important during busy shifts and handovers, when assumptions about who is doing what can lead to missed tasks. Simple checklists help keep everyone accountable, while quick spot checks can catch issues before they escalate.
4. Is there enough stock?
Nobody wants to discover they’re out of an essential cleaning product when needed most. Allow for heavier use of bin liners, cloths, mop heads, gloves, cleaning, laundry and paper products, plus extra stock in case deliveries are delayed, or demand runs higher than expected.
Cleanliness is something many guests actively look for. Tripadvisor¹ research found that 57% of accommodation seekers look for cleanliness and hygiene information in reviews. And today, one dirty bathroom, poorly serviced room or pest sighting in a restaurant can travel much further than the premises itself, thanks to a quick photo and an even quicker online review.
“The Christmas holidays might bring a little chaos, but it doesn’t have to mean compromising on standards,” Madkins concludes. “Businesses that plan ahead are better positioned to maintain cleanliness, protect their reputation and deliver the experience customers expect, even at their busiest.”
