Diwali is just a few weeks away and I could not help but think about all the preparations that need to go up to the final countdown to the festival. To help you get through this we have put together a short guide with tips and hacks.
Diwali is always filled with lots of nostalgia like the smell of your favorite sweets, the decorations, the earthen diyas, and meeting friends and family but most of all the Diwali cleaning that we all helped our parents do, reminds us that Diwali is coming.
Cleaning with multipurpose, eco-friendly & chemical-free solutions
Our cleaning solution recipes are going to help you feel the nostalgia without burning a hole in your pocket by buying lots of supplies. While multipurpose cleaners are available in stores, they are not healthy and chemical-free, and most come with a cautionary warning.
To get started with my Diwali cleaning I always start by preparing my cleaning solutions in advance and start cleaning from outside to insides, and from top to bottom. This flow for cleaning helps me avoid cleaning multiple times and making the process much less tedious. I have listed my multipurpose, eco-friendly & chemical-free cleaning solution recipes here for you to download. So download, make them, and clean away!
The key is to start with windows, fans, ceiling, walls, and then head to the inside of cabinets, drawers, countertops, etc. once all this is done you can then start cleaning the floor and those neglected corners.
Linen diaries
If you love to play the host during the festive season it is important to ensure all your bed and bathroom linen have been washed and stored away. You can vacuum your rugs and sofas after sprinkling some baking soda, which will ensure that any foul smells are gone. Dry clean your curtains and cushion covers and use them to up the festive cheer.
Quick tip- Add a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda and you will have your rugs smelling fresh and fragrant.
I usually start by making 3-4 boxes and classify these into – to throw, to keep, to donate, to keep but needs fixing.This immediately minimizes overthinking and hoarding and all those (what if I need it then etc.) arguments your brain makes with you. Be ruthless!
I also follow very cool folding and organizing hacks by Marie Kondo as these tips are some real space-saving gems.
Once you have placed your sorted items back in the closet, place some camphor hangings which are eco-friendly and make your cabinets smell amazing. You can also hang baking soda mixed with some essential oils wrapped in cloth too.
Decorating with Lights
Decorating your home with lights is a must on Diwali and while we do use all the lights for the exterior of the house, it is to note that the interiors are as important.
During
Diwali my go-to lights are the rice lights or the fairy lights, they are my
favorite because they can be used in many ways and one of the best ways to
use them is to hang them or entwine them to vertical structures like entryway
partitions or mandir pillars, etc.
You can also add them to line your furniture or just add them to your floral centerpieces for your dinner or coffee table. Use them inside bottles or Jars and make the look even more interesting.
Rangoli and floral decor
I know that most of us find making a rangoli daunting and I hear you. For those who want to decorate their entrances with Rangoli but don't have the time or skill for it. Try making the easy to paint and fill with petals rangoli, super easy and fast!
If avoiding a floor rangoli altogether it might be a great idea to decorate the entrance with floral door hangings like flower mala and handmade torans. If I ever do last-minute Diwali decor, floral malas are my go-to, they can be hung on the windows, walls, and on the main door too. You can ball them up and hang them to look like side door hangings too. Lastly, the easiest thing you can do is to make them into any form or shape and lay them on the entrance floor!
I wish you all a wonderful Diwali in advance and hope this checklist helps you in getting your home Diwali ready this season and may the new year bring good health, prosperity, and peace to all.
Mayuri Nagar
( India )