WHILE some of us are still fighting over when it’s appropriate to play Mariah Carey, one viral TikToker has already settled the debate on Christmas decorating – and she’s sharing the deep-clean routine that makes her home festive-ready.
Meet Ottie Hedges, a content creator whose “Christmas clean” video is rapidly gaining traction, clocking up over 82.6k views since being shared on 13 November.
The reason for the festive title? For Ottie, the decorations simply cannot go up until her “chalet” is “completely spotless.”
“I can’t put anything new up unless my home is completely spotless,” she shares in the voiceover on her TikTok account @mrsottiehedges.
If your rule for festive decorating is to simply dust around the tinsel, Ottie’s thorough process might just inspire you to tackle a true deep clean first.
Ottie’s approach is all about achieving a truly blank canvas before any holiday cheer is introduced – and her deep-clean routines go far beyond a quick tidy.
The Full Strip
Ottie first starts off by stripping her bedding, after realising her room needed a serious reset, pulling the bed out to clean every forgotten corner.
She then proves just how much of a deep clean she does, by taking time to wash down her walls and ceiling.
And in a highly relatable moment, Ottie confessed she finally put on gloves, not just for hygiene, but because her nail technician had threatened to “ban” her if she saw her cleaning bare-handed one more time.
Sparkling Finish
Beyond sheer elbow grease, Ottie also shared a few quick tips and product alternatives.
To combat commenters who might suggest she uses the same cloth everywhere, Ottie confirmed she uses several different clothes from Costco – they’re all the same colour, but each is dedicated to a specific task.
Countertop Hack
After admitting she had previously stained her worktops with bleach, Ottie now opts for a safer, gentler solution for her living room, which is Fairy Liquid and water.
She follows this up by using a “French cloth” to polish the surfaces, saying this is the key to making them look “nice and shiny.”
While the floors and windows were tackled off-camera, Ottie did admit to one cleaning task she truly loathes: cleaning the lights.
Get Cosy Early
The intensive clean-up wasn’t just about sparkling surfaces; it was about setting the stage for the festive cosiness.
Addressing her decision to decorate early, Ottie shared the simple logic she and her husband settled on and that it’s “never too early,” if you love Christmas.
Ottie is going for a traditional theme, citing a style that evokes “red gold green traditional vibes” and a “Ralph Lauren” aesthetic.
Her initial clean provided the perfect foundation for her first few touches.
Ottie’s video gained 131 comments, as many people rushed to share their praise for the video.
One wrote: “That looks so lovely.”
A second added: “I love watching your cleaning videos.”
While a third said: “You have such a lovely home.”
Others were simply “obsessed,” as some related to her cleaning hacks with a social media user saying: “Same thing whenever I get a gift.
“The whole house gets cleaned before I decide where it goes. Usually a bag of donations comes from it as well.”
10 Grossest Areas People Forget to Clean
By Danielle Mason, who has 20 years of experience
Under and Behind the Fridge
Crumbs, dust, and spills accumulate over time, attracting pests and creating bad odours.
Shower Curtain & Liner
These collect mildew and soap scum but are often overlooked. Wash or replace them regularly to keep your bathroom fresh.
Toothbrush Holder
One of the germiest places in the bathroom, filled with bacteria and toothpaste residue. Rinse and disinfect it weekly.
Dishwasher Filter
Food particles and grease build up, leading to unpleasant smells and reduced efficiency. Remove and clean the filter every few weeks.
Washing Machine Seal
The rubber gasket traps mould, mildew, and detergent buildup. Wipe it down with white vinegar and leave the door open to air dry.
Light Switches and Remote Controls
Touched daily but rarely cleaned, making them germ hotspots. Wipe them down with disinfectant regularly.
Under the Sofa Cushions
Crumbs, dust, and even lost items hide in the cracks. Remove the cushions and vacuum thoroughly.
Kitchen Sink & Plughole
Food residue builds up, causing bad odours. Pour boiling water, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar down the drain to freshen it.
Ceiling Fans
Dust piles up on the blades and gets redistributed into the air when turned on. Use a microfibre cloth or pillowcase to clean them easily.
Doormats
They trap dirt and bacteria from shoes but are rarely washed or vacuumed. Shake them out weekly and deep clean them every month.
Head to her Instagram pages for more cleaning information @missmasoncleaning @daniellemasonuk
