Cleaning House Before Guests Arrive

Instead of trying to clean the entire house, homeowners should pay attention to some small details to get ready for guests. Photo: Rodnae Productions/Pexels.

Imagine you are at home on a leisurely weekend afternoon. Your group of friends calls to inform you that they will be coming over in a few hours, bringing a surprise gift that you can’t refuse.

The gathering will be so much fun, but your house looks like a “battlefield.” Dirty clothes are scattered on the floor, dirty dishes pile up in the sink, causing you to panic in despair.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you may need some quick cleaning tips from The Every Girl.

Identify the reason

First, you need to change your mindset about cleaning. Instead of thinking “I have to clean the house because guests are coming,” aim for a positive goal. The vision of a clean and praised house will motivate you.

“I often remind myself that a party is only truly enjoyable when the house is as clean as possible. In reality, the cleaning process will be quick and efficient if you do it with a relaxed and enthusiastic attitude. Don’t force yourself if you don’t really want to do this,” said Linda Samuels, editor of Oh, So Organized!.

Collect dirty clothes

According to Katrina Green, an expert at Badass Homelife, this is a simple but important task in the cleaning process.

You should focus on collecting clothes in common areas like the living room or kitchen and take them to the laundry area. Don’t forget to check the bathroom or backyard, as you can’t predict how absent-minded you are. Guests will be cautious if they accidentally see a sweaty sports shorts anywhere in the house

“This process only takes a few minutes, but it’s easy to ‘rescue’ you from embarrassing situations. You don’t need to wash, dry, and fold all the clothes. Just make sure they are out of sight of others,” Green added.

Pay attention to the bathroom

It’s a fact that guests will use your toilet at least once during the party. Make sure it’s clean and fragrant before everyone rings the bell.

Arlene Williams, a representative of Bona Fide Cleaning Company, recommends homeowners to thoroughly scrub the toilet, sink, and floor. In addition, you need to refill the toilet paper box and soap dispenser.

Don’t forget to clean the trash can and hang a few towels for everyone to dry their hands.

“You can keep some personal hygiene products like cotton swabs or tampons in the cabinet. This action helps guests ‘put out the fire’ and creates an image of a thoughtful host. If possible, monitor the toilet situation throughout the party. You don’t want someone to get stuck or the floor to get dirty, right?” Williams added.

Focus on visible areas

Experts in the field of homes believe that homeowners should focus on certain areas, including the entrance, mailbox, kitchen countertop, or coat hooks in the hallway.

According to them, guests will easily notice these areas first when entering the house.

“You may want to clean up bit by bit. However, my trick is to gather all the mess into a box or laundry basket. Then, I will put them back in their original positions. This method saves me at least 30 minutes for each ‘sweep’ before welcoming relatives and friends,” shared expert Kristin Roser.

Prepare snacks

It may sound unrelated, but this is a way to buy more time for cleaning. After a long journey, guests will be distracted when they see cool drinks.

Carbonated drinks or fruit juices are good choices for this case. In addition, you should also have some cookies or snacks for them to enjoy.

While everyone is gathering in the kitchen, quickly hide plastic bags, empty bottles, or anything that causes clutter. This time frame also allows you to accomplish other tasks if needed.

Avoid total cleaning

In emergency situations, you should set aside the plan for a thorough house cleaning. According to Jenna Haefelin, a representative of SPIFF organization, homeowners should have specific visions for each task.

“You should only think about deep cleaning if you want to show guests the entire living space. But obviously, that has never been your goal. So, skip cleaning the bedroom or folding clothes. All you need to do is close the door, that’s it,” Haefelin affirmed.