Fake A Clean Home For Company On Short Notice In A Few Simple Steps

Having to receive guests last minute can be stressful if your home isn't clean. It's normal to immediately get overwhelmed when you think of all the things that are out of place and how you don't have enough time to vacuum and scrub every surface. Luckily, you don't have to do all that. Focus on the most visible spots, put away clutter, and you'll be able to fake a clean home successfully.

The best thing to do with your limited time is to focus on the most important tasks. These will be the ones that make an immediate difference visually and are quick and easy to do. One helpful system you can use when focusing on relevant spots is to identify trash, laundry, and dishes, and then the things that have a place and those that don't. After making a little more sense of the chaos, you can act according to the category as you tidy up.

Your main objective is to create a welcoming atmosphere for your guests, so your effort should go into preparing the areas that your guests will see and making them feel as comfortable as possible. First, figure out where you will be hosting your company. It will likely be in the main areas, such as the living room and kitchen. Note that there are other places that guests might pop into or pass, so these will be relevant as well. Two examples are the entryway and the guest bathroom or whichever bathroom they will use if needed.

Next, follow the system outlined above to take things to the trash can, the laundry bag, and the kitchen. Then move things to their proper place. When that's done, vacuum the floors, wipe down surfaces with a cleaning liquid and cloth, and take out the trash if it's full. Clean the toilet bowl in the guest bathroom if necessary and make sure there is toilet paper available.

As you address the main spots, the aim should be to eliminate visual clutter because seeing things scattered around will always make a space feel messy and dirty. Round up all random items like shoes, wallets, appliances, and papers from the floors and countertops and put them out of sight. One household accessory that helps with this is a catch-all tray for your counter to store stray items. It is great for keeping the top of your bedroom dresser clutter-free and can also be used for the entryway table, kitchen counter, and living room coffee table.

Clutter-free spaces and well-arranged furniture will go unnoticed if there is an unpleasant smell, so try to freshen up the smell of your home as well. Open up the windows for some fresh air, even if it's for five minutes, and put out a pleasant scent. Spray an air freshener or light a scented candle or an incense stick in the living room and bathroom specifically.