First things first: when washing the bird, avoid scrubbing or vigorous washing; instead, rinse the inside cavity. Using salt and white vinegar is recommended as a wash solution. Clean the outside with cold water, then sanitize the sink and nearby counter surfaces afterwards. Happy Thanksgiving and healthy food prep to everyone preparing for the celebratory feast!

Here’s why this step is important: washing raw turkey can splatter and spread harmful bacteria throughout your kitchen, contaminating counters, utensils, and other foods. Handle raw turkey separately, away from other foods and even spices, which can be brought over near the washed turkey once it is cleaned and dried on Thanksgiving Day. 

Furthermore, to prevent cross-contamination and ensure a happy and healthy Thanksgiving:

• Wash your hands with warm, soapy water before and after handling raw turkey or any raw meat.
• Separate surfaces by using a separate cutting board for raw turkey and keeping it away from cooked food and produce.
• Thoroughly clean any surfaces that come into contact with any raw meat.

Pro Hosting Tips That Will Instantly Show a Visible Difference in Your Home for a Happy Thanksgiving

• Clean to remove fingerprints and smudges from walls, doors, and decorative wall trims. For washable painted surfaces, use Ask Cindy’s recommended Clorox disinfecting wipes for quick cleaning.
• Dust furnishings with Ask Cindy’s plush microfiber towels for a quick, thorough cleanup and a long-lasting, dust-free finish.
• Perform quick cleanups in common areas, the kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and guest bedrooms.

Fun Time! 

During the holiday gathering, fun activities like telling jokes, singing karaoke, playing Jenga, and my all-time favorite, playing Family Feud, contribute to the enjoyment. Laughter and smiles create lifelong memories. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving filled with joy!

 Cleanup Steps for a Fresh Start:

• Wipe down the stovetop, wall backsplash, and countertops. Soaking your roasting pans and pots overnight in a water-and-Dawn dish soap solution makes cleaning easier.
• Tidy up the kitchen and all used bathrooms.
• Vacuum floors and use the Apartment Sized Velcro Microfiber Wet Mopping System.
• You can also use the Ask Cindy’s Velcro Microfiber Wet/Dry Mopping System, which quickly adheres to an attached floor base for quick cleaning.

In other words, planning for a busy holiday gathering at your home can impress everyone with memorable, stress-free moments of happiness. Equally important, it will give hosts an air of calm and confident readiness for any holiday event, which is a winning approach. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!