You’ve done it again—called friends over, but completely forgotten that tonight is the night! Your house is a wreck, and you have less than an hour before company arrives. You certainly don’t want your guests to cringe on seeing the piles of dirty laundry, dishes in the sink or dust all over the counter! But today of all days, your maid has just called in sick, and you have no option but to clean up yourself.
What’s the quickest and easiest way to fake your way to a tidy apartment? Read on to find out.
#1. Open the Windows
Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and just the simple act of opening all the windows will let all the musty air out and let sunlight and fresh air stream in. While you’re at it, let the fans run at full speed as well.
#2. Pick Up Trash
Take a quick walk around the house with a waste bin and a damp cloth in hand. Get rid of any waste papers, plastic covers, empty bottles or cans, wads of tissue or remnants of food that’s lying around. If there are any spills, wipe them right away (that’s what the damp cloth is for)! If your trash bins need to be emptied, now is the time to do it. And take the trash all the way down; you don’t want your guests to be greeted by a big pile of garbage just outside your front door!
#3. Tackle the Laundry
Do you have trousers sitting in a puddle on the floor where you discarded them? Or discarded tees on your bed? What about piles of clean clothes waiting patiently to be folded and put away? Tackle these next. Put dirty clothes in one laundry basket, clean clothes into another, and tuck them all away into a hidden corner! You can always cover each pile with a neatly folded sheet, so that anyone who takes a look will think that everything is in order.
#4. Tidy Up the Books
If you’re a bookworm or a student, you’re sure to be having books that seem to wander around the house on their own! Grab a wicker basket and corral books, papers and what have you, and then park them on a side table. Pretty bags, baskets and trays are a must-have in every home—the moment books and other odds and ends are stashed in a basket, they look like they belong!
#5. Wipe Down Surfaces
You don’t have time to do a deep clean, so focus only on what your guests will be able to see. Wipe down the top of the coffee table and side tables, the dining table and any mirrors and paintings on the wall. Use a damp microfiber cloth that will also catch the dust.
#6. Clean the Floors
There’s no need to vacuum unless you have the time! A quick sweep-and-mop routine should do the job. Spot clean any stains and scuffs with a damp cloth first, and then go over the main paths in the rooms that your guests will visit. If your rugs are very dusty, just take them to the balcony and give them a good shake-down.
#7. Sanitise the Powder Room
If there’s one room that your guests are sure to visit, it’s the powder room! Make sure it is spotless, as it really is a deal breaker. No one, absolutely no one, likes an unsanitary loo!
Disinfect the sink and commode, wash and dry the floors and light up some essential oils in a diffuser so that the air smells fresh. Run the exhaust fan to dispel all the musty air. Next, check to see if the toilet paper roll needs a refill. Empty out the waste bin as well. Wipe all spots and splashes off the mirror, and finally, set out clean, fresh towels and new soap for your guests to use.
#8. Speed-Clean the Kitchen
Are there dirty dishes in the sink? Quickly load the dishwasher and run a quick wash cycle. If you don’t have a dishwasher, and don’t have the time to wash up, then just stash all the dirty dishes out of the way, in the utility for instance. (Just make sure that you don’t forget they are there!)
Next, remove all clutter from the countertop and put things back where they belong. Wipe down the counters and stove to remove crumbs and spills. Hang out a clean hand towel when you’re all done.
#9. Straighten Up the Living Room
The living room is where your friends will probably be spending the most time, so take extra care when you tidy up here. Fluff the cushions on the couch, and put down a pretty throw to cover any stains in the upholstery. Straighten the pictures on the wall and line up all the magazines neatly. If you have any plants in your living room, mist the leaves and water the pots.
#10. Spruce Up the Bedrooms
Unless your guests are staying overnight, they may not be spending much time in the bedrooms, so you can afford to leave them till the end! First, straighten up the bed covers and plump up the pillows. Do a quick clean of your dresser and work table, and corral small items into a wicker tray. If you have a mirror in the room, run a microfibre cloth over it to remove spots.
And here’s a cheat— if you’re really in a tight spot, you can just stash anything extra in the bedroom and lock the doors!
And You’re All Done!
Your home is all set—now all you have to do is grab a quick shower before your guests arrive! Time to turn the lights down low, light up some essential oils, and play music that your guests will love.
Open the door for your friends….and have a lovely evening!
Home décor from HomeLane is designed to optimise storage and minimise clutter in your home, keeping it in tip-top condition for unexpected guests. Stay clutter-free and well organised at all times, with home interior solutions from HomeLane.
