How to Keep Gratitude at the Heart of Your Thanksgiving: 3 Simple Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday
6 minute read
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to pause, reflect on your blessings, and share a bountiful meal with loved ones. However, the planning, the cooking, and, let’s be honest, the clean up, can often turn this celebration of gratitude into a source of stress. If you are hosting this year, relax! Read on for our pre- and post-clean up tips to ensure your Thanksgiving is a celebration you can truly enjoy.
At ECOS, we believe a clean home is not just a gift to the planet, but to your peace of mind. Our mission is to create cleaning products which use several plant-derived ingredients that work effectively and are a safer choice for your family and the planet.
That’s why we’re sharing 3 simple tips to help you keep your spirit of gratitude intact, from preparation to the last clean dish, with the help of our plant-powered, eco-conscious products. This way, you can be a present and relaxed host.
1. Set the Stage: The Host’s Pre-Party Prep
A last-minute deep clean only adds anxiety. Before your guests arrive, a strategic cleaning session can completely change the atmosphere—and your stress level. The secret is to simplify and focus on key areas: the kitchen and the guest bathroom.
- Degrease the Heart of the Home (The Kitchen): The kitchen is the center of the action. A sparkling countertop and an oven ready for the turkey are essential.
- The ECOS Tip: Use our ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner – Orange. Its plant-powered formula is designed to dissolve grease and grime without the need for harsh ingredients like ammonia or phosphates. Simply spray, wipe, and enjoy the natural citrus scent. Because it is U.S. EPA Safer Choice certified, it’s an option you can trust in the kitchen —exactly what you need when preparing the feast.
- Focus on the Guest Bathroom: This is your home’s calling card during the party.
- The ECOS Tip: Our ECOS Toilet Cleaner – Cedar works with the power of cedar to refresh and clean effectively, unlike cleaners with intense chemical odors. A shiny toilet and a subtle, pleasing scent ensure your guests feel cared for and comfortable.
- Streak-Free Glass in Minutes: Sparkling windows and mirrors add light and a feeling of freshness.
- The ECOS Tip: Our ECOS Window Cleaner – Vinegar is your best ally. Formulated with vinegar for a streak-free shine, it contains no ammonia or dyes, making it a safer choice for your family and pets. Lightly spray and wipe; you’ll see the autumn sun shine through your windows.
- The ECOS Tip: Our ECOS Window Cleaner – Vinegar is your best ally. Formulated with vinegar for a streak-free shine, it contains no ammonia or dyes, making it a safer choice for your family and pets. Lightly spray and wipe; you’ll see the autumn sun shine through your windows.
2. Focus on Connection, Not Perfection
The true spirit of Thanksgiving lies in the company. Don’t let the quest for the “perfect party” overshadow the joy of the moment. Remember: your main role is to welcome and enjoy! Perfection is boring; warmth is unforgettable.
- Make the Table Shine: While the food is the star, the dishes and cutlery set the tone. Sparkling plates and glasses are a sign of welcome.
- The ECOS Tip: If you’re handwashing dishes, our ECOS Foaming Dish Soap creates a rich lather with several coconut-derived ingredients that cuts grease without irritating your hands. It’s a formulation that promotes responsible cleaning, made without dyes and phosphates. Your dishes will be spotless and ready to be the canvas for your dinner.
- The ECOS Tip: If you’re handwashing dishes, our ECOS Foaming Dish Soap creates a rich lather with several coconut-derived ingredients that cuts grease without irritating your hands. It’s a formulation that promotes responsible cleaning, made without dyes and phosphates. Your dishes will be spotless and ready to be the canvas for your dinner.
- Embrace Imperfection (and Stains): A relaxed host is contagious. If someone spills cranberry sauce, don’t let it ruin your night.
- The ECOS Tip: For those inevitable food stains on tablecloths or napkins, keep our ECOS OxoBrite® Multi-Purpose Stain Remover – Free & Clear handy. Its formula tackles tough stains, offering a more mindful alternative to traditional bleach. Apply a small amount directly before washing to save your linens.
- Ask for and Accept Help: Did a guest ask if they can help? Say yes! Delegating simple tasks like setting the table or watching the oven frees up time for you to enjoy.
- Allow Yourself to Be Present: A dropped napkin, a smudge of cranberry sauce on the tablecloth, a splash of wine on a shirt… these are all part of the party’s anecdotes. Remember the ECOS philosophy: sustainability doesn’t just mean caring for the planet; it’s also about your well-being. Don’t beat yourself up over small mishaps.
- Tackling post-dinner stains immediately is key:
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- The ECOS Tip: For those inevitable food stains on clothing or table cloths, reach for our ECOS Laundry Detergent Ultra-Concentrated. Its plant-powered formula, attacks tough stains without phosphates or optical brighteners. Apply a little product directly onto the stain, gently rub, and toss it in the wash. It’s a simple step that can save your favorite tablecloth.
- The ECOS Tip: For those inevitable food stains on clothing or table cloths, reach for our ECOS Laundry Detergent Ultra-Concentrated. Its plant-powered formula, attacks tough stains without phosphates or optical brighteners. Apply a little product directly onto the stain, gently rub, and toss it in the wash. It’s a simple step that can save your favorite tablecloth.
3. Make Post-Party Clean Up an Act of Sustainable Gratitude
The end of the party does not mean the end of gratitude. By cleaning mindfully, you extend your thanks to the environment.
- The Day-After Laundry: After a weekend of hosting, guest sheets and soiled linens can pile up. Choosing the right laundry detergent is crucial.
- The ECOS Tip: Use our ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent. Made with several plant-derived ingredients and fragrances from essential oils (like Lavender), our detergent is effective even in cold water. By choosing a brand that is Carbon and Water Neutral and holds TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification, you are making a decision that supports your family’s wellbeing and the planet’s.
- The ECOS Tip: Use our ECOS Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent. Made with several plant-derived ingredients and fragrances from essential oils (like Lavender), our detergent is effective even in cold water. By choosing a brand that is Carbon and Water Neutral and holds TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification, you are making a decision that supports your family’s wellbeing and the planet’s.
After the celebration, the pile of dishes can look intimidating, but viewing it as the result of a wonderful meal can change your perspective.
- Embrace the Power of Plants for Your Dishes: Don’t put off the dishes. A clean dishwasher the next morning is the key to a stress-free awakening.
- The ECOS Tip: Use our ECOS Dishwasher Gel for your machine and use ECOS Foaming Dish Soap – Lemon for large pots and pans that don’t fit (available in scents like Lemon or Free & Clear). Our cleaning formulas create a robust foam that cuts through grease and food residue, leaving your dishes sparkling. Because they are made without dyes or phosphates, using them becomes an act of gratitude toward the environment. For the rest of your dishes, use our liquid ECOS Dish Soap, which is effective on grease while still being gentle on your hands.
- Thank Your Appliances: While you clean, take a moment to appreciate your working kitchen that made the feast possible. Clean up the crumbs and spills in the oven and microwave.
By integrating these small changes into your routine and choosing products that are safer choices for your family and the planet, you ensure that the true meaning of Thanksgiving—gratitude—remains at the center of your celebration.
From the entire ECOS family, we wish you a happy and peaceful holiday!