The imminent arrival of visitors, particularly family members with a reputation for making blunt comments about housework is definitely a cause for anxiety. But even if they’ll be here in the next quarter of an hour, there’s still time to create a warm welcome.
1. Open windows to clear the air
The first item on your quick clean to-do list is to air your living space. Throw open windows and doors, even just for ten minutes, and get the stale air out and fresh air in.
2. Prioritise the rooms your guests will use
The next step is to visualise your guest’s visit. For example, they will come in through the front door, hang up their coats, go from the hall to the living room and then sit down. They might want to use the toilet at some point.
This visualisation will help you to prioritise your cleaning work. You only need to deal with the rooms that they will spend time in – for example, the hall, the living room and the bathroom.
3. Close doors
Shut the door on rooms your guests won’t spend time in. As well as hiding less than tidy rooms, this will give you a place to temporarily stash clutter. You can also shut cupboard doors to relieve visual clutter.
4. Tidy the entryway
Give your guests a warm welcome by straightening stray footwear and hanging coats. Bin junk mail and sweep or vacuum. You could free up hanging space for guests’ coats by putting a few of your own coats in one of your closed off rooms. The same goes for any clutter like sports equipment or recycling. See our post on tidying your hall for more ideas.
5. Sort out the living room
Put the rug and coffee table straight. Plump cushions, and fold blankets. Books and media go on shelves or in whatever storage you have, or stack them neatly on the coffee table. Throws are a quick fix for mess you can’t deal with immediately, and tablecloths can cover an unsightly surface.
- Buff up the bathroom
Clean the loo and the sink and mop any puddles. Bundle damp towels and stray clothing into the laundry basket. Put out a clean hand towel and soap. Straighten the mat and use the shower curtain to conceal any clutter in the bath. The eye is drawn to shiny things, so give glass or metal surfaces a swift polish for an easy win. No need to use any cleaning products for this: a damp microfibre cloth will do the work for you.
A warm welcome
With at least part of your home guest-ready, you can proudly welcome the fussiest of relatives and fend off any pointed remarks.
Doing a quick clean ahead of an unexpected visit can be a real eye-opener. Looking at your home with new eyes can highlight a lack of storage space, or even clutter that is making your home harder to manage than it needs to be. If more cupboard space would improve your home life, maybe self-storage could help you. Check out our blogpost to see how much self-storage costs each month.
