Your Friends are Where?
Your friends just texted to let you know they’re in the neighborhood and want to stop by. “Perfect,” you think to yourself. “My place is totally company-ready.” I’m just kidding, no one says that. More often than not, work, school, and other obligations take up all of our time and energy, and a tidy house becomes our last priority. But don’t panic. Here’s how to speed clean so it looks like you’re on top of it.
Speed Cleaning – Where Do I Even Start?
When guests drop by, they’re there to see you, not do a home inspection. (Unless it’s your mom. She might. Sorry.) However, if you’re like me, you want to give at least the impression you’re not a slob. So where do you begin? Don’t worry about a deep clean. The goal is to hit the highlights.
First, identify which rooms will be used. If no one is going into your bedroom, you can keep the door closed. You’re going to need a spot to hide all your junk, and behind closed doors is your best option. Then, open a window or two in your main living space to clear out any stale air. If you have a cat, give that box a quick scoop. If you don’t have any open flame restrictions, maybe get a scented candle or wax warmer going.
Operation Stuff & Stash
Start with clearing the clutter, focusing on the rooms you’ll be using. Of course, in a perfect world, you’d have time to put everything away, but the odds are pretty good that’s not happening.
Grab a laundry basket (or two) and fill it up. If it’s full of dirty laundry, use a trash bag instead. Be ruthless: grab anything that doesn’t belong, like mail, random charging cables, hair brushes, sports gear, etc. You can store it in your room or a closet.
Bathroom Blitz
Next, concentrate on the bathroom. Wipe down the sink and toilet. We’re not looking for ultra-sanitary conditions here; it just needs not to be gross. Put any laundry in the laundry area or in a basket to join your bedroom stash. If you have guest towels, throw a clean one on the hook.
Living Spaces
Now that the bathroom is presentable, you can move on to your main living spaces. You’re probably going to be spending the most time here; make it comfortable and cozy. Straighten up blankets. Toss trash and take dishes to the sink. Tidy up tables and give them a quick wipe-down if there are remnants of last night’s dinner.
The Home Stretch
Since most of our entertaining usually involves food, no one is expecting a spotless kitchen. You’ll have a little more grace here. If you don’t have time to wash the dishes, at least get them in the sink or dishwasher. Then give the counters a quick swipe with a damp cloth.
Finally, if you still have a couple of minutes, give all the floors a quick sweep or vacuum and take out the trash.
Give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy your visit! Do you have any speed cleaning secrets? Let me know in the comments.
Speed Cleaning Check List
