How to Clean Up Thanksgiving Dinner

Cleaning up after Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is full of family, friends, and food. However, with all the fun comes a mess. Here’s how to take some steps before the meal starts and after to prevent some of your Thanksgiving mess.

1. Empty fridge

Before beginning Thanksgiving preparations, clean out your fridge. Get rid of any empty bottles or expired products. This makes room for any ingredients you need for your meal and any leftovers you will have.

2. Clean as you go

Clean up as you go so that everything isn’t piled up by the end of the night. Wash and put away pots and pans as you cook. Before your guests arrive, run and empty the dishwasher. As dinner goes on, continue to load the dishwasher to reduce the amount of clutter.

Before everyone comes over, empty the trashcan and put in a new bag. Put a few bags in the bottom of the can so you don’t have to search for new bags in the middle of the party.

3. Use foil

Line the bottom of your oven with a large sheet of foil. Any drippings or food that falls off the pan will be caught by the foil, and you won’t have to clean your oven afterwards. You can also line your baking pans with foil to avoid any baked-on food.

4. Use parchment paper

When making your baked goods, cut a piece of parchment paper to line the inside of your baking pans. It works the same way as the foil does, keeping food from baking onto the pan and making it difficult to clean.

5. Tablecloths

Once you are done with dinner, roll the tablecloth up and bring it outside. Shake out all the food crumbs left on the tablecloth and throw it into your laundry room. Wash it after your guests have left.