Having guests over or hosting a gathering can be exciting, but also stressful when it comes to getting your home ready. As someone who loves to entertain, I’ve learned some helpful cleaning tips and tricks over the years for making my home presentable and guest-ready for any occasion. Here are my best practices for cleaning and preparing for life’s special events and hosted festivities.
Getting Started with a Deep Clean
Before inviting people into your home, it’s wise to do a thorough deep clean throughout. This lays a solid foundation so you can then focus on event-specific tasks.
Main Areas to Deep Clean
When doing a whole-home deep clean in preparation for guests, be sure to focus on these key areas:
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Kitchen – Clean inside cabinets, appliances, floors, countertops, sink, and empty the fridge of anything expired.
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Bathrooms – Scrub showers/tubs, toilets, floors, counters, mirrors, and restock toiletries.
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Living Spaces – Dust furniture, vacuum, mop floors, wipe down surfaces, and declutter.
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Bedrooms – Change linens, tidy closets/under beds, and declutter flat surfaces.
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Outdoor Areas – Sweep porches/patios, tidy up the yard, and clear walkways.
Helpful Cleaning Tips
- Use checklists to stay organized and not miss areas.
- Declutter as you clean – donate, trash, or relocate items.
- For deeper cleaning, use DIY natural cleaning solutions. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon work well.
- Try to clean top to bottom in each room.
- Open windows during the day to air out the home.
- Play upbeat music to make cleaning more enjoyable.
Event-Specific Cleaning and Prep
Once a thorough deep clean is complete, you can shift focus to tidying and preparations specific to the type of event or guests.
Overnight House Guests
When people are staying over, focus on these hosting preparations:
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Bedrooms – Ensure guest beds are made neatly with fresh linens. Have extra blankets, towels, and decor pillows readily available for a warm welcome.
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Bathrooms – Provide shower supplies and toiletries like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc. Set out fresh hand and bath towels.
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Kitchen – Clear some fridge and pantry space for guests to use. Have snacks, coffee, and beverages on hand.
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Shared Spaces – Set out fresh flowers, scented candles, or essential oil diffusers to make the home cozy. Offer baskets with blankets, slippers, books, or magazines for their comfort and entertainment.
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Outdoor Areas – Make sure walkways and entrances are clear of debris, snow, or ice for safe access. Have seating areas and patio cleaned for use.
Dinner Parties
To host friends and family for dinner parties:
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Clear table tops and dining areas to set places with dishes, glassware, napkins, and table decor.
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Leave kitchen counters empty besides the cooking essentials to allow prep space.
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Set out trivets, oven mitts, and utensils for serving ease.
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Stock up on ice, chilled beverages, wine glasses, and coffee supplies.
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Purchase ingredients for menu items ahead of time. Look up new recipes to try!
Large Gatherings and Celebrations
Hosting large groups requires even more planning and preparation:
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Tidy up the main party areas – deck/patio, family room, etc. Then block off unused bedrooms and private spaces.
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Set up additional seating like folding chairs and consider renting tables or tents if needed.
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Make sure sound system, smart TVs, gaming consoles are ready for group entertainment.
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Stock up on party supplies – plastic cups, paper plates, etc can reduce clean up later.
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Create playlists or queue up music for the duration of the event.
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Plan for extra parking spaces and create signs or directions if needed.
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Charge camera/phone and clearing storage to photograph the memories made!
No matter the occasion, the key is tackling cleaning and preparations in advance so that I can relax and be fully present with my guests when the time comes. By making my home guest-ready, I’m able to focus on hosting and having quality time together.
