With the festive countdown well underway, a leading professional cleaner has unveiled six crucial tasks to tackle now for a home that feels truly fresh and sparkly on Christmas Day. The expert advice comes from Lynsey Crombie, better known to the public as Lynsey Queen of Clean, the resident cleaning guru on ITV's This Morning.
The expert's blueprint for a festive-ready home
In a recent TikTok video shared on December 19, 2025, the best-selling author and product line owner broke down her efficient strategy to combat festive pressures. Lynsey Crombie emphasised that while Christmas brings joy, the added burden of preparing the home can be overwhelming. Her method focuses on smart, simple changes that yield significant results.
Six game-changing cleaning tips from a pro
Lynsey's video, where she is seen cleaning her own home, outlines a clear six-point plan designed for maximum impact with sensible effort.
1. Colour-Code Your Cloths: Her first tip is deceptively simple. She advocates assigning specific coloured cloths to different areas: "Pink for sink, blue for loo." This basic system prevents cross-contamination and streamlines the cleaning process.
2. Clear Plugholes Correctly: Addressing a common mistake, Lynsey advises against the popular bicarb and vinegar combo for smelly drains. Instead, she recommends using bicarbonate of soda with water alone to flush away odours and tackle light blockages effectively.
3. Shine Stainless Steel with Vinegar: While warning against its use in drains, Lynsey champions white vinegar for specific tasks. She reserves it for achieving a perfect, streak-free shine on stainless steel appliances and high-gloss kitchen cupboards.
4. Dust High, Vacuum Low: Order is crucial for efficiency. Lynsey's golden rule is to always start by dusting from the top down, as "dust falls like snow." When vacuuming, she directs going in all four cardinal directions to agitate carpet fibres deeply. For an extra-fresh finish, she follows up with a steam clean on hard floors.
5. Adopt a Two-Step Kitchen Clean: For the kitchen, the heart of festive preparations, she prescribes a two-stage routine. First, clean surfaces with warm, soapy water to remove grime. Second, disinfect them using a fresh cloth for a truly deep clean.
6. Empty Your Vacuum at Two-Thirds Full: Her final festive hack focuses on appliance care. To maintain optimal suction and performance, she advises emptying your vacuum's dust canister once it reaches two-thirds capacity, rather than waiting for it to overflow.
Small changes for a big festive sparkle
Lynsey Crombie summarised her philosophy in the video's caption, stating: "Small changes = big sparkle!" Her tips, designed to be implemented in the run-up to December 25th, aim to reduce pre-Christmas stress and ensure homes are not just clean, but feel genuinely welcoming and refreshed for the celebrations. By following this professional guidance, households across the UK can look forward to a more relaxed and sparkling Christmas Day.
