Onam is one of the most joyful and grand celebrations in Kerala, and at the heart of it is the Onam Sadya: a traditional feast served on a banana leaf with over two dozen dishes. Preparing a Sadya at home is an act of love, but it also means hours in the kitchen and a home full of guests. Keeping your kitchen and floors clean during this time can feel like a challenge, but with a little planning, it is very manageable.
Here is how to keep your home fresh and clean through all the Onam preparations and celebrations.
Clean the Kitchen Thoroughly Before Cooking Begins
The Onam Sadya involves a long list of dishes, from Avial and Thoran to Payasam and Pickle. The cooking starts early and the kitchen stays busy for hours. Before any of this begins, do a thorough clean of your kitchen. Wipe down all counters, clean the stovetop, and clear out any unnecessary items from the workspace. Use Gala Dishwashing and Wiping products to clean all the vessels, pots, and serving dishes you plan to use. A clean kitchen at the start makes cooking smoother and keeps the space manageable even as things get busy.
Keep a Cloth and Wiper Handy During Cooking
When you are making multiple dishes at once, spills are inevitable. Coconut milk, tamarind water, and oil can all splash onto the counter or floor. Instead of letting these sit and become sticky, keep a cloth and a Gala Wiper within reach. Wiping up spills as they happen takes ten seconds and saves you from a much harder clean later.
Manage the Dining Area Before Guests Arrive
Onam Sadya is traditionally served on the floor on banana leaves, or at a low table in many homes. Make sure the dining area is swept and mopped well before your guests are seated. Use the Gala No Dust Broom to sweep the floor clean of any dust or debris, then follow up with the Gala Turbo Spin Mop for a damp mop that leaves the floor fresh and clean. The 180 degree rotating head makes it easy to get into corners and along walls without any extra effort.
Handle Post-Sadya Cleanup Smartly
After the Sadya, there will be used banana leaves, spilled gravy, and sticky residue on the floor. Start by clearing away the banana leaves and any leftover food first. Then sweep the floor to remove crumbs and dry debris. Follow up with a thorough mop using the Gala Turbo Spin Mop to lift any sticky or wet residue from the floor surface. For tougher spots, a little warm water in the mop bucket helps loosen the stickiness quickly.
Wash the Dishes Systematically
With so many dishes served during the Sadya, the dishwashing pile can be daunting. Work through it in batches and use quality dishwashing products from the Gala Dishwashing and Wiping range to get through greasy vessels, serving bowls, and ladles without a struggle. A good scrubber makes a real difference when cleaning traditional brass or steel vessels that are often used during Onam.
Freshen Up the Home After Guests Leave
Once the celebration wraps up, give the living room and entrance a quick sweep and mop. Open windows to refresh the air. Wipe down any surfaces that guests used and reset cushions and covers. A quick twenty-minute tidy-up after guests leave means you wake up to a clean home the next morning.
Celebrate Onam with Less Stress
A well-cleaned and well-organised home makes the Onam Sadya experience even more joyful. When your kitchen is prepped, your floors are clean, and your tools are at hand, you can focus more on the food, the family, and the celebration itself. Explore the full range of Gala Cleaning Tools and make your Onam preparations easier this year.