The lights are off, the guests have gone home, and the house looks like the festival happened in every corner. There are wax drips near the doorway, oil rings from the diyas, rangoli powder in the cracks of the tiles, and sticky patches left behind by mithai and chai. It is a happy kind of mess, but it needs sorting out.
This post Diwali cleaning guide helps you reset your home step by step, without scrubbing everything at once.
Start With the Entrance and Doorstep
The entrance has taken the most action, with diyas, rangoli, footfall and sometimes crackers.
Let any diya wax harden completely before touching it
Lift wax gently with a blunt plastic edge, never a sharp knife, so tiles and marble do not get scratched
Sweep rangoli colours and petals dry first, then mop
Wipe the door frame and threshold, where oil and soot often collect
A No Dust Broom is useful for gathering fine rangoli powder and ash without sending it back into the air.
How to Remove Diya Oil and Wax Marks From Floors
Oil and wax are the two most common festival marks on tile and marble.
For fresh oil: blot it first, then sprinkle a little flour or talcum powder to soak up the rest, and wipe after a few minutes
For wax left behind: after lifting the hardened piece, wipe the area with a warm, damp cloth to remove the thin film
For old marks: repeat the process patiently instead of scrubbing hard, especially on marble
For the follow up mop, the Turbo Spin Mop lets you control how wet the floor gets, which is helpful on polished surfaces. The Floor T-Mop works well for larger open areas like terraces and verandas.
Deal With Cracker Residue and Soot
If your family burst crackers on the balcony, terrace or porch, you will see black marks and grey ash.
Sweep dry residue into one spot before using any water
Dispose of used cracker waste carefully, and make sure nothing is still warm
Wipe balcony railings and window ledges, where soot settles
Mop the area once the dry sweep is finished
Clean Up the Sticky Spots From Sweets and Snacks
Festive days mean mithai, namkeen and endless cups of chai, so tables and floors are often sticky.
Wipe the dining table, centre table and side tables first
Check under the sofa and around seating for crumbs and dried spills
Use a damp cloth on sugary spots, since a dry wipe only spreads them
Clean the Sponge Wipe or cloth regularly while you work so you are not moving dirt around
Tackle the Kitchen and Heavy Utensils
After days of festive cooking, the kitchen usually has a pile of oily vessels and greasy surfaces.
Soak heavy vessels first so food softens before scrubbing
Use a Stainless Steel Scrubber for tough, greasy steel utensils
Use a Scrub Pad for plates, glasses and lighter vessels
Wipe the stove top, counters and cabinet handles, where oil and sugar collect
You can find more options in the Dish Washing and Wiping range.
Pack Away Decorations the Right Way
Cleaning is easier when the decor is out of the way.
Remove dried flowers, torans and petals from doors and tables
Wipe lanterns, frames and decorative pieces before storing them
Keep fairy lights untangled and dry in a labelled box
Sort reusable items from things to be thrown out
A Simple Two Day Reset Plan
You do not need to do it all in one afternoon.
Day 1: entrance, living room and decor, plus the kitchen
Day 2: bedrooms, balcony, and a final damp mop of all floors
Take It Easy After the Celebrations
A little organised cleaning is all it takes to bring your home back to its calm, everyday self. Explore the full Gala product range to find tools that make cleaning up after any festival easier.