Chances are that when guests are coming, you want your home to look its best. Most of us do not keep our homes pristine all of the time, and even the most organised people will likely want to give their home a once-over before guests are due to visit.
Whether you have an hour or a week to prepare for guests coming, there are things you can do to at least give the impression of a clean home. Use our checklist to ensure you use your time effectively and prioritise tasks based on how much time you have.
Clear the entrance
Ensure the entryway is clear of any obstructions or clutter, then sweep and clean the entrance, both inside and outside. This will help to give a great first impression to guests.
Organise living areas
Consider where your guests are likely to gather and focus on these rooms. Grab a box or laundry basket and fill it with anything that is not in its right place. If you have time, put things in their proper place, otherwise, keep it out of sight until after the guests have left.
Straighten up the furniture, fluff pillows, and fold throws. Keep a microfibre duster to hand to quickly dust surfaces as you move around the room.
Tidy the kitchen
Guests will likely end up in the kitchen at some point so you may want to focus some time on decluttering and cleaning in there.
Make sure all of the dirty dishes are either in the dishwasher or washed, and empty the bins into the outside bin, before guests arrive.
Clear away as much clutter as possible and use anti-bacterial wipes to clean the surfaces and appliances, and rinse the sink.
Clean the bathroom
There is a good chance that your guests will need to use the toilet whilst in your home. Make sure that your toilet is clean, and that there is plenty of toilet paper and soap.
If your guests are staying over, spend some time cleaning the bathroom they will be using. Clear any personal items from the counters by putting them in a drawer or cabinet, and ensure that they have clean towels.
If you do not have time to do a deep clean, simply rinse the bath or shower, run an anti-bacterial wipe over the counters and sinks, and clean the mirror and toilet.
Prepare the bedroom
If guests are staying the night, you will need to prepare the bedroom. Ensure it is tidy and free of clutter, even if it means just hiding out of sight for the time being.
Always put clean bedding on the beds and make sure they have room for their luggage and space to hang or store their clothes.
Clean or vacuum the floors
If you have time, run around the home with a sweeping brush and mop or a vacuum to clean your floors. It can make a big difference but is not an essential job if you are short on time.
Make it smell nice
Everyone is used to the smell of their own home and to others it may not necessarily be a pleasant smell. Freshen the air by opening some windows to help draw out unpleasant odours such as from cooking or pets.
Air fresheners, candles, wax melts, and diffusers can be used to ensure that your home smells nice within minutes.
Hire a professional
If you want to make a really good impression, or if you simply do not have the time, you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaner to clean your home for you.
Time For You specialises in providing properly screened and vetted domestic cleaners to private households to provide you, our client, with more time for you. Find a cleaner near you by simply entering your postcode, and let us take care of the cleaning, so you do not have to.
Time For You is the premier international house cleaning service company with hundreds of local business owners who clean tens of thousands of homes around the world every week.
