“You can’t just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood. What mood is that? Last-minute panic.” – Bill Watterson, American cartoonist, creator of Calvin and Hobbes
It’s happened to many of us: we’re relaxing on the sofa, binging on a bowl of popcorn, and watching our favourite series on Netflix. Suddenly, we get a text from family or friends telling us they’re dropping in soon,
EEK! Few things make me jump high like those texts. I keep my home pretty clean and orderly, but there’s a difference between it being “clean” for me and “guest-ready.” I’m grateful that people love coming by, but that also means getting my place ready quickly!
There’s no time to do a complete clean when last-minute guests are coming, so I do a few things to make my home as welcoming and comfortable as possible.
Focus on priority areas
The first thing I do is decide which rooms my guests will most likely be spending time in and focus on tidying these areas first. This will likely be the kitchen, hall or guest bathroom, living room, and back deck or balcony. My bedroom, ensuite bathroom, and other areas are put to the side for the time being.
If the company is sleeping over, I add the guest bedroom to the priority list. I make sure to change all of the sheets and pillows and roll fresh, clean towels to place on the bed—just like hotels do. For an extra bit of fun, I leave a mint or chocolate on the pillow!
Do a quick pick up
A comfortable home is an uncluttered home, so I make sure that clutter is quickly picked up and put away, especially if it’s on the floor. Blankets can be draped over the couch, and throw pillows should be placed in its corners. Other items, such as books, food, or magazines, can be put away. My bowl of popcorn? That stays out for sharing!
Wipe down surfaces
Furniture, tables, and countertops can all be wiped quickly to remove dust, crumbs, and dirt for a shiny, clean look. If time is really tight, just wipe down the surfaces you know you’ll be using and that are in your guests’ line of sight. That high shelf on your bookcase can wait until your regular cleaning day.
Clean and sanitize the kitchen
After wiping down surfaces in the kitchen, I run a quick dry and wet Swiffer on the floor to capture any crumbs and make the floor sparkle. I then put any kitchen utensils or clutter in the drawers or hidden away for me to retrieve later. If dirty dishes are in the sink, I put them in the dishwasher if it’s empty.
Prepare the bathroom
There is no need (or time!) for a deep bathroom cleaning with the clock ticking down to your guests’ arrival. Grab a few sanitizing wipes to clean up the sink, counter, and toilet and give the toilet bowl a quick once-over. Put a clean, fresh towel on the rack and make sure there is plenty of toilet paper left on the roll. You can also shake the bathmat outside to remove any loose particles or quickly run the vacuum over it.
Vacuum everywhere
Don’t put that vacuum away just yet! Quickly run it through the rooms on your priority list. Vacuuming might be the longest task to complete, but it makes a massive difference in your home’s appearance. I just put on my headphones and groove to my favourite tunes to make the work that much more fun!
Turn on your essential oil diffuser
Diffusing something in your diffusers can help your home smell yummy. Be sure to consider any allergies or sensitivities your guests might have to certain scents so they feel comfortable.
The real secret to preparing your home for unexpected guests
“Stop your worrying, panicking and stressing. Breathe. Remember, you made it this far through difficulties that seemed impossible. Remember how many times you were saved at the very last minute — this time is no different.” – Bryant H. McGill, American human potential thought leader and online influencer
There was a time when last-minute guests would cause me to panic and run around cleaning in a frenzy. Of course, that approach just made the situation worse! Then, I discovered the secret of getting ready for unexpected company – always be prepared!
By spending just 20 minutes every day tending to my home, it is never more than 30 minutes away from being ready for drop-in visitors. Daily cleaning is the best way to be ready for the unexpected and allows me to look forward to hosting and being hospitable to the people I care about the most.
So remember – be prepared, don’t panic, and have fun. See you next time!
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