Having unexpected guests arrive at my home when it is messy or dirty is one of my biggest nightmares. I never want friends or family dropping by unannounced to find dirty dishes in the sink, clutter all over, and a generally unkempt house. However, with a good plan and some key cleaning tips, I can get my home guest-ready in record time, even with short notice.
Assess the Mess and Make a Plan
The first thing I do when I find out guests are coming over unexpectedly is take stock of which areas of my home most need cleaning. I do a quick walkthrough and make a list of the rooms, surfaces, and spots that require attention. This allows me to prioritize what to tackle first when time is limited.
Some key areas I focus on are:
- Kitchen – especially sink, counters, appliances, and floor
- Bathrooms – toilets, mirrors, counters
- Living spaces – pick up clutter, vacuum, tidy furniture
- Entryway – clean floor, decor, hang up coats
Once I’ve assessed the mess, I make a plan of attack. I decide what I can realistically get done in the time I have before my guests arrive. For last minute cleanings, I stick to the essentials in my priority areas to get my home presentable.
Work Top to Bottom, Back to Front
With an unexpected rush cleaning, order matters. I’ve found it most efficient to work from top to bottom in each room, and from the back of the house to the front.
This means starting with:
- Light fixtures – dusting overhead lights and ceiling fans
- Walls – spot cleaning any dirty marks by light switches or doors
- Windows – wiping window sills and glass
- Furniture – dusting tops of shelves, TVs, etc
- Floors – vacuuming and mopping floors
I also start in the back in places like bedrooms and bathrooms, then move forward to living spaces and the kitchen. This prevents me from re-cleaning floors after doing the kitchen.
Use Speed Cleaning Supplies and Methods
Having the right cleaning products and tools makes a big difference when I’m in a time crunch. Here are some of my go-to supplies for fast cleaning:
- Microfiber cloths – Great for dusting and cleaning many surfaces quickly
- Vacuum – I use my cordless stick vacuum for quick pick ups
- Multi-surface spray – One spray bottle for counters, fixtures, mirrors, etc
- Dish soap – For washing dishes, counters, sinks, etc
- Baking soda – Helps scrub sinks, appliances, counters
I also utilize some speed cleaning methods when in a rush:
- Clean in sections – Focus on one area at a time
- Set a timer – Work rapidly in short bursts
- Put out candles – Candles make a space smell clean fast
- Keep moving – Don’t pause until finished
Enlist Help from Others in the House
When I’m really pressed for time, I pull in my partner or kids to help get the home guest-ready faster. Giving each person a room or cleaning task allows us to divide and conquer.
Some ways I delegate when speed cleaning as a team:
- Ask someone to clear clutter and tidy furniture
- Have someone load and start running the dishwasher
- Assign a bathroom for someone to scrub and sanitize
- Request help dusting and vacuuming the living room
Getting help not only goes faster, but it also teaches others good last minute cleaning skills!
Know When to Cut Corners
When guests are on the way, I don’t stress about getting my home pristine. Prioritizing the most important areas and tasks in the time I have helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Some corners I may cut when time constrained:
- Close closet doors instead of organizing inside
- Spot clean walls instead of washing all walls
- Vacuum only main living areas, not bedrooms
- Wipe kitchen counters instead of deep cleaning appliances
- Straighten items on shelves rather than dusting every surface
As long as public spaces are tidy and clean, imperfect areas can wait!
Make Beds, Light Candles, Turn on Music
In the final minutes before guests arrive, I shift my focus to doing three things that create an inviting atmosphere:
- Make beds – even just straightening the bedding
- Light candles – adds warmth and clean scent
- Turn on music – creates positive energy
These finishing touches help make the house feel clean, peaceful and ready for company after my speed cleaning session!
A last minute cleaning when unexpected guests are en route can feel stressful. But breaking the work into swift but effective steps makes it completely manageable. Assessing the mess, cleaning and delegating strategically, and focusing on what matters most helps me get my home guest-ready with lightning speed when needed. With some practice powering through these key steps, I can tidy up without a scramble. A clean home for surprise visitors is entirely possible, even on a hectic day!
