“All right, show’s over… go home.” Those were my neighbor’s parting remarks as he headed for the kitchen door following a night of “grilling and chilling.” (Don’t ask why, we stopped trying to figure him out a while back). Our annual Memorial Day Barbecue Blow-out is officially over. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the clean up.
We had planned to keep the mess to a minimum by hosting the party outdoors. However, Mother Nature had her own plan and it didn’t include our guests enjoying dinner al fresco. Long story short, the party moved indoors and my strategy for cleaning up after a night of lamb chops and laughs must be revised to include tidying up an entire house instead of just the patio. If your post holiday party clean is not complete, perhaps you can make use of these easy clean up tips (ones I will soon be employing):
Where to begin? My husband and I start in outer rooms and work our way to the kitchen, the epicenter of the mess. Grab plastic garbage bags and fill them with everything that was left behind. If you are hosting a party outdoors, remember that food left out for more than 2 hours should be tossed; if temperatures exceed 90 degrees, toss it after an hour.
Some people swear by disposable plates when hosting a big party. I wouldn’t consider a dozen people a large group, so in this case we used “real” plates, glasses, and utensils. If you chose to do the same, I suggest designating a specific area on your kitchen counter or island where dishes can be stacked neatly throughout the party. You don’t want to pile them in the sink when the party is still in full swing. I also place a small plastic Rubbermaid container next to the pile-up area. This is where I toss the utensils before they can be accidentally dropped into the garbage disposal or in the trash can.
Always begin the party with an empty dishwasher (especially if you are not using disposable plates and utensils). Fill the dishwasher with as many dishes as you can fit in and start it when it’s fully loaded.
We don’t serve red wine (which eliminates the worry and work involved in cleaning stains from the carpet or furniture should an accident happen). However, we love to make frozen drinks. The daiquiris were a hit, but now the blender needs some serious clean up. To do so, I simply pour in a little dishwashing liquid and fill with warm water. Cover and blend on low for a few minutes, the renegade strawberries wipe away easily with a sponge.
Ask for help. This is a fabulous idea, but I generally reserve it for family gatherings. Getting help from family members is natural. At my parent’s home a family get-together usually ends with my mother washing dishes, my brother drying, my dad cleaning the grill, my grandmother packing up the leftovers… you get the idea. Family members pitching in to complete the task of cleaning up is not unusual. On the other hand, if your guests include co-workers, friends and other business associates, you may not feel as comfortable asking or accepting assistance. As tempting as it may be, you may want to refrain from asking your husband’s supervisor to help scrub pots or load the dishwasher.
In the end, do what you can within reason to keep your home tidy throughout the party and you will be forgiven for a few cluttered countertops in the kitchen. Remember, your guests are in your home to spend time with you, not to watch you clean up in their presence. You have plenty of time to get rid of the mess after they leave.