Having guests over can be stressful, especially if your home is messy or dirty. When company is coming, you want your home to feel welcoming and tidy. But who has time for deep cleaning before the doorbell rings? Don’t stress – here are some quick clean hacks to make your home guest-ready in a flash.
Give Floors A Fast Refresh
Floors take the most abuse in high traffic areas and can start to look dull and dirty over time. When guests are coming, you don’t have time for a full floor cleaning. Instead, try these quick fixes:
Sweep And Vacuum
Give carpets, rugs, and hard floors a quick vacuum or sweep. This will remove surface dirt, dust, and pet hair. Pay special attention to entryways, under furniture, and corners.
Spot Clean
Use a damp microfiber cloth to spot clean any visible stains or spills on hard floors. For carpets, blot stains with a damp white cloth or use a portable spot cleaner. This takes just minutes but makes a big visual impact.
Freshen With Essential Oils
Add a few drops of lemon or eucalyptus oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Mist carpets and rugs lightly to refresh them with a clean scent. The moisture also helps fibers look fluffier.
Target Kitchen Clutter
The kitchen can collect clutter easily. Give this space a quick tidy-up for guests by:
Clear Countertops
Remove everything from the counters except an attractive fruit bowl or flowers. Hide small appliances in cabinets and put dishes away. A clear countertop looks cleaner and roomier.
Clean Appliances
Wipe down the outside of appliances with an all-purpose cleaner. Pay extra attention to handles and doors which collect fingerprints and smudges.
Declutter Surfaces
Remove piles of mail, notes, and other paper clutter. Give counters one final wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
Refresh The Bathrooms
Bathrooms harbor germs and odors. Make yours look and smell cleaner fast with:
Quick Clean Toilet
Use a toilet wand or brush to scrub the bowl. Wipe the seat, tank, base, and the outside thoroughly. Flush away any grime.
Clear Clutter
Put away everything on the counters except pretty soap dispensers and candles. Remove any dirty towels and clutter to make the room look tidy.
Disinfect Surfaces
Spritz sinks, faucets, counters, and mirrors with an all-purpose disinfecting cleaner. Let it sit briefly, then wipe away germs.
Eliminate Odors
Set out a scented candle, room spray, or essential oil diffuser. Citrus, eucalyptus, and floral scents help mask odors and make bathrooms smell fresh. You can also hang fresh eucalyptus or citrus peels in the shower.
Make Beds Like A Pro
A messy, unmade bed can make a room look disorganized. But who has time to completely redo sheets and comforters right before company arrives? Instead, do this fast bed freshening:
Smooth Out Sheets
Quickly smooth wrinkles from sheets and tuck them neatly under mattresses. Extra points if you fold shams and pillows nicely for a polished hotel look.
Refresh Top Layers
Plump up comforters, blankets, and pillows to fluff them up. You can also lightly mist the top layers with fabric refresher spray.
Add Decor Touches
Add some decorative pillows, a folded throw blanket, or cute stuffed animals. Little touches make beds look cared for.
Handle Unexpected Spills Like A Pro
Despite your best efforts, unexpected spills or stains can still happen right before guests walk in. Here are some go-to stain solutions:
Water-based stains: blot immediately with a cloth or paper towel. Avoid rubbing, which can spread the stain.
Oil-based stains: sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda. Let sit 15 minutes, then vacuum up the powder. It will absorb grease.
Red wine: dab white wine on the stain to dissolve it, then blot with club soda. The carbonation lifts the wine.
Coffee or tea stains: blot quickly with a damp cloth, then spray with white vinegar and water. The acid cuts the stain.
Candle wax: let harden, then scrape gently with a plastic card. Avoid damaging fabrics.
Being prepared with emergency stain solutions helps you handle spills quickly when guests are already over. Keep stain fighting supplies handy.
Make A Good First Impression
Follow these tips to make a great impression the moment guests walk in:
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Declutter entryways – Remove shoes, coats, bags so it looks clean.
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Light candles – Scented candles make your home smell inviting.
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Turn on lights – Illuminate rooms and walkways to be welcoming.
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Play music – Create ambiance with upbeat background tunes.
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Greet guests warmly – Come to the door with a smile. A gracious hello sets the mood.
When your home looks and smells clean, tidy, and bright, it extends a feeling of hospitality to your guests from the moment they arrive. These quick fixes help you make a welcoming impression, even with last-minute prep time.
In summary, you don’t need hours to whip your home into guest-ready shape. Target high traffic spots, tackle clutter, freshen fabrics, banish odors, handle spills, and make a good first impression. With these speedy hacks, you can relax and enjoy time with your company. Your home will feel clean and inviting in a flash!
