The last guest has walked out the door, the music has faded, and the last of the confetti has settled.
Now you’re faced with a mountainous task before you — cleaning up after an event. Whether it was a wedding or a corporate function, the prospect seems overwhelming.
But don’t let the mess dampen your post-event glow! This guide will equip you with 10 easy-to-follow tips that will speed up your after-event cleaning process. Your venue will be right back to where it was in no time at all.
If you’re cleaning up after a small event, then skipping this step is fine. But if not, crafting a cleaning checklist helps.
Start by listing every area that needs cleaning, from the main event space and restrooms, to outdoor areas and parking lots. Break down each area into specific tasks like trash removal, floor cleaning, and surface disinfection.
Here’s a sample after-event cleaning checklist that you can use as a template. Feel free to edit, remove, or add items as you see fit, depending on the scope and size of the venue:
Venue/Area | Task | Person/Team Responsible | Timeline | Completed |
Main Event Space | Trash and debris removal (floors, tables, chairs) | Cleaning crew/volunteers | During & after event | |
Floor cleaning (sweeping, vacuuming, mopping) | Cleaning crew | After event | ||
Table and chair cleaning and storage | Cleaning crew/volunteers | After event | ||
Stage or platform cleaning (if applicable) | Cleaning crew | After event | ||
Removal of decorations, signage, and equipment | Event staff/volunteers | After event | ||
Cleaning of audio/visual equipment (if applicable) | Audio/visual technicians | After event | ||
Restrooms | Toilet and urinal cleaning and disinfection | Cleaning crew | During & after event | |
Sink and countertop cleaning and disinfection | Cleaning crew | During & after event | ||
Mirror cleaning | Cleaning crew | During & after event | ||
Replenishing soap, paper towels, and toilet paper | Cleaning crew | During event | ||
Kitchen/Catering Area | Cleaning and sanitizing of all food preparation surfaces | Catering staff/cleaning crew | During & after event | |
Washing and storing dishes, utensils, and cookware | Catering staff | After event | ||
Cleaning and disinfecting appliances | Catering staff/cleaning crew | After event | ||
Trash and recycling removal | Catering staff/cleaning crew | During & after event | ||
Outdoor Areas | Trash and debris removal (lawns, patios, parking lots) | Cleaning crew/volunteers | After event | |
Cleaning of outdoor furniture | Cleaning crew | After event | ||
Sweeping or hosing down of walkways and patios | Cleaning crew | After event | ||
Other Areas (as applicable) | Cleaning of coat check areas, VIP/green rooms, vendor booths/stalls | Cleaning crew/volunteers | After event | |
Supplies and Equipment | Ensure all necessary supplies are available (trash bags, cleaning solutions, equipment, etc.) | Cleaning crew/event coordinator | Before event | |
Personnel | Determine the number of people needed and assign responsibilities | Event coordinator | Before event | |
Timeline | Establish a start and end time for cleanup, estimate time for each task, schedule breaks | Event coordinator | Before event | |
Contingency Plan | Prepare for unexpected messes or spills, have emergency contact information handy | Event coordinator | Before event |
2. Start Early with a Clean Sweep during the Event
Don’t wait until the last guest has left to start cleaning up! Tackling small cleaning tasks throughout the event reduces the workload later and prevents messes from escalating.
Here are a few cleaning tasks you can focus on during the event:
- Throwing away single-use plates and utensils into a trash bag
- Taking away reusable plates, cups, and dishes to a designated dishwashing area
- Wiping down tables and counters after each use
- Emptying trash and recycling bins as they fill up
- Refilling soap and paper towel dispensers in restrooms
- Quickly addressing spills or messes to prevent staining
- Collecting and disposing of any dropped food or drink items
- Removing any stray decorations or signage that have fallen or become dislodged
- Tidying up food service areas, including replenishing napkins, utensils, and condiments
Add more to the list as needed. Remember, discretion is key. Focus on cleaning areas that have cleared out or are less crowded, and avoid making a fuss that could disrupt your guests’ enjoyment. After all, the goal is to enhance the event experience, not detract from it.
3. Declutter and Sort: Time to Face the Aftermath
Time to tackle the biggest cleaning job: a venue strewn with debris, decorations, and remnants of the festivities.
Don’t let the post-even chaos overwhelm you though. Decluttering and sorting methodically allows you to quickly restore order.
Here’s your action plan:
- Start by collecting all the obvious trash, like empty cups, plates, napkins, and food wrappers.
- Consolidate the waste with a large garbage bag — this also makes it easier to transport.
- Organize different areas for different types of waste — general trash, recyclables, and compostables (as applies).
- Disassemble and store temporary structures, decorations, or signage. Keep them somewhere safe instead of throwing them away completely.
- If you have leftover food or supplies that are still in good condition, consider donating them to a local food bank or charity in your area. Waste reduction and waste disposal go hand in hand, after all.
- If any valuables were left behind by guests, collect them and store them in a secure location. Notify the owners and immediately arrange for their return.
4. Clearing Out the Event Venue
Make room for deep cleaning post-event by tackling the big stuff first. You’ll need to coordinate with the venue staff or a dedicated team to ensure heavy items like tables, chairs, and equipment are moved safely and efficiently.
Clearing these out first will create more room to maneuver and make subsequent cleaning tasks more efficient. Depending on the venue’s policy, tables might need to be disassembled and chairs stacked.
If your event featured a stage or platform, coordinate with venue staff to have it cleared of any equipment, decorations, or signage. Similarly, rented items like linens, tableware, or furniture should be gathered and prepared for return. Remember to inspect for any damages and report them to the rental company.
If a catering service was involved, coordinate with them to remove their equipment, leftover food, and any other supplies. If you handled catering yourself, ensure that all reusable items are cleaned and stored appropriately.
5. Clean Surfaces Thoroughly
Time for surface cleaning. This step is crucial for eliminating germs, bacteria, and any lingering stickiness or stains that might have accumulated during the event.
Your surface cleaning gameplan:
Gather cleaning supplies
Get an all-purpose cleaner, a disinfectant, glass cleaner, and stainless steel polish. Don’t forget microfiber cloths, sponges, and scrub brushes for tackling stubborn grime.
Wipe down tables and chairs
Wipe down easy-to-clean furniture with damp cloth and appropriate cleaner. Pay special attention to food spills, sticky residue, and fingerprints. For upholstered chairs, use a fabric cleaner or upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces
Clean door handles, light switches, handrails, and other frequently touched surfaces. These are hotspots for germs. Disinfect them thoroughly with a disinfectant spray or wipes.
Leave the disinfectant to sit on the surface for the recommended contact time for maximum effectiveness.
Clean windows and mirrors
Use a streak-free glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to wipe down windows and mirrors. A squeegee can be helpful in removing excess water and preventing streaks.
Polish stainless steel
If your venue has stainless steel appliances, fixtures, or surfaces, use a stainless steel polish to remove fingerprints and smudges and restore their shine.
Don’t forget the floors
Sweep or vacuum floors to remove debris before mopping. Use a disinfectant solution for hard floors and a carpet cleaner for carpets or rugs.
Address specific areas
If your event involved food preparation or service, make sure thoroughly clean and sanitize all flood contact surfaces like countertops, cutting boards, sinks, and appliances
6. Sweep and Mop Floors
Time to tackle dirty flooring. Whether it’s a ballroom littered with confetti or a conference room sticky with spilled drinks, thorough, and deep floor cleaning is the final touch the brings the entire venue back to its pre-event look.
Here’s the step-by-step guide to effective floor cleaning
- Step 1: Prepare the surface by sweeping or vacuuming the entire floor area. This helps remove loose debris like confetti, food crumbs, and dirt.
- Step 2: If you encounter stubborn stains or sticky spills, address them properly with a suitable cleaner. Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth or sponge, working from the outside in to avoid spreading it further.
- Step 3: For vinyl or concrete, fill a bucket with a cleaning solution appropriate for the flooring type. Wring out the mop thoroughly to avoid soaking the floor, and mop in sections. Rinse the mop head frequently in a bucket of clean water.
- Step 4: Vacuum carpets or rugs thoroughly to remove embedded dirt or debris. For heavily soiled areas, consider using a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service.
- Step 5: Wipe down baseboards and edges with a damp cloth to remove dust and scuff marks.
Hire Professional Cleaning Services to Make Your After Event Cleanup a Breeze
Cleaning up after an event doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By planning ahead, starting early, and following these simple tips, you can ensure a spotless venue.
But if the thought of tackling the post-event cleanup still feels overwhelming, don’t worry — you don’t have to do it alone. Craddock’s Cleaning Services offers professional post-event cleaning in Dallas-Fort Worth.
We take the hassle out of cleanup and leave you with a sparkling venue. Blazing fast turnaround. Sparkling clean guarantee. That’s the Craddock’s promise.
Request your FREE quote today and we will get in touch with you in 24 hours or less.