Unexpected guests can send you into a panic; you haven’t had time to clean all week and the house is a mess! However, unexpected guests usually give at least a couple of hours’ notice, and fortunately, that’s all the time you need to carry out a last-minute messy home makeover, and here’s how:
- Get everyone onboard
You’ll get the clean-up done a lot quicker if you enlist the help of other members of the household. Assign them tasks according to their ability (and willingness to help!) and set them to work armed with paper towels, disposable cleaning wipes, an all-purpose spray and a duster.
- Get focused
Think about where your guests will spend most of their time and focus on cleaning those areas as best you can, within the time you have. Unless they’re sleeping with you for a night or two, they’ll typically be in the kitchen, family bathroom and lounge.
- Think about their first impression
What guests see when they first enter your home, might be what they walk away remembering, so tidy up your entranceway, making sure the entry mat is clean and shoes are stored tidily.
- Get your bathroom shipshape
While bathrooms should be one of the cleanest rooms in the house, the opposite is quite often true, especially when your household is a busy one. Spend a few minutes (or as long as you can spare) making sure the toilet and sink are clean and that the room smells fresh and clean. Change the towels and if you have one, light a scented candle or tealight. If your guests aren’t staying overnight, you’ve no need to worry about a grubby tub or shower.
- Blitz the kitchen
Overflowing trash cans not only look unsightly, but can quickly make the whole home smell, so your first job should always be to take out the trash. If there are dishes in the sink, either wash them and put them away, or simply stash them in the dishwasher. Give all surfaces a quick wipe over with an all-purpose spray, and change your dishtowels.
- Tidy up the family room
Get the kids to pick up their toys and games and stash them away, tidy up the cushions and give all surfaces a quick dusting down. Again, a scented candle can do wonders to make a room smell welcoming, and if you have time, run the vacuum cleaner over the floor and furniture.
To make sure unexpected guests never send you into a panic, hire a professional cleaner to regularly clean your home and keep it shipshape no matter who might drop by, and when.
