Clean the Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the most important rooms to clean before guests arrive. Make sure all surfaces are scrubbed and sanitized.
I like to use a multi-surface cleaner like Lysol to quickly clean the toilet, sink, counter tops, and tub/shower. For extra freshness, wipe surfaces down with white vinegar after cleaning.
To save time, I focus on what guests see most – the toilet, sink, mirrors, and shower/tub. I make sure those areas sparkle! For the toilet, I swish the bowl with a toilet wand and toilet cleaner. I scrub the seat, lid, handle, and base. Then I spray down the rest of the toilet with multi-surface cleaner.
For the sink, I wipe down the faucet, handles, basin, counters, and mirror. I also quickly organize any items around the sink and dispose of trash.
Cleaning the tub and shower is important. I spray down the walls, faucets, and base. Then I scrub with a wet towel or sponge. I squeegee the glass shower doors and wipe them down too.
For fresh smells, I light a candle or diffuse some essential oils like lemon or eucalyptus. I also hang up fresh hand towels and a clean bath mat.
Declutter All Rooms
It’s amazing how much clutter can accumulate quickly! When guests are coming, I declutter every room they will see.
For the living room, I tidy up magazines, books, pillows, and blankets. I fluff and arrange throw pillows and make sure seating areas are clear. All electronics are neatly organized.
In the kitchen, I organize appliances, clear countertops, and clean the sink. Dirty dishes are loaded into the dishwasher. Trash and recycling are taken out.
For dining areas, I wipe down tables and make sure chairs are neatly pushed in. Placemats, tablecloths, napkins, and centerpieces are arranged nicely.
I also declutter the front entryway. Coats, shoes, and bags are put away in closets. I arrange baskets or trays for organizing small items like keys and gloves. The floor is vacuumed or swept.
If guests will use a guest room, I make the bed with fresh linens. Nightstands are cleaned off and lamps/lighting tested. A box of tissues, water glass, and fresh towels are nice touches.
Taking just 10-15 minutes in each room makes a huge difference! Decluttering reduces visual clutter and makes the whole house feel clean.
Freshen Up the Floors
Right before guests come over, I like to vacuum or mop floors. Cleaning floors makes the whole home feel fresh and tidy.
For carpets, I vacuum the traffic areas and give carpeting a quick once-over. If there are any new or obvious stains, I spot clean those. I make sure to get under furniture edges and into corners.
For hard floors, I sweep first, then mop. Depending on the material, I use either a steam mop on tile/vinyl or quick cleaner for hardwood. I pay special attention to entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms.
If I’m short on time, I’ll just spot clean problem areas. With a damp towel or mop, I wipe down edges, corners, and high traffic routes. This takes just a couple minutes but makes floors look significantly better.
I like to finish by vacuuming rugs throughout the home. This removes embedded dirt from underneath. Rugs look crisp and clean for guests.
Tidy and Disinfect All Touchpoints
When guests visit, they inevitably touch various household surfaces like light switches, door handles, remotes, railings, and more. That’s why I make sure these high touch areas are cleaned and sanitized before their arrival.
I keep a spray bottle of disinfectant handy. Good options are Lysol, Clorox, or other cleaners containing bleach or alcohol. I mist high touch points liberally, then wipe down with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Areas I focus on disinfecting include:
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Door handles and knobs
- Cabinet handles and drawers
- Railings and banisters
- Remote controls
- Tabletops and chairs
- Phones, tablets, keyboards
For extra protection, I disinfect high traffic areas like entryways and bathrooms. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
I also tidy up clutter on tables, counters, dressers, etc. This removes visual distractions and makes disinfecting easier.
A quick disinfecting touchup takes about 10-15 minutes but makes a big difference in cleanliness. It protects my guests and family from unwanted germs.
Take Out the Trash
One of the fastest ways to freshen up a home is by taking out all the trash and recycling. Full garbage cans leave odors and make rooms look messy.
I walk through the entire house with a trash bag. I empty every small bin from bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, etc. For bigger bins, I remove the bag liner and replace with a fresh one.
All full trash bags go straight outside to the bins. If it’s trash day, I roll bins to the curb.
For recycling, I collect stray bottles/cans from around the house. I empty the main recycling bin and take that outside too. Having clean, empty wastebaskets makes the whole house cleaner and nicer for guests.
Add Some Air Freshness
The final touch to guest-ready cleanliness is air freshness. I like to eliminate odors and offer pleasant scents before company arrives.
My go-to for quick freshness is opening windows to circulate fresh outdoor air. I’ll open windows for 15-20 minutes, or longer if possible.
I also like to place bowls of white vinegar around the home. Vinegar absorbs odors wonderfully.
Essential oil diffusers are great for perfuming the air. I’ll diffuse lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender oils to greet guests with clean scents.
If cooking odors linger, I’ll boil cinnamon sticks or rosemary on the stove. As they simmer, they perfume the whole house.
For a fast air freshener spray, I’ll mix vodka, water, and 10-15 drops essential oil in a spray bottle. I’ll spritz this in rooms as needed.
With some quick cleaning hacks, I can get my home guest-ready in a hurry. What matters most is focusing on the high visibility areas used by guests. I try to tidy and sanitize as much as possible in a short time. It may not be a deep clean, but these fast fixes make all the difference in last minute prep.
