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You get a call, and you hear, “We will be there in 30 minutes!” and then panic sets in as you look around the house! It’s not clean enough for guest, so now is the time for speed cleaning. But what should you clean before guests arrive, so you’re not embarrassed?
It always amazes me how much I can clean 10 minutes before guests arrive! It’s like adrenaline kicks in, and I clean like a mad woman!
If you forgot about the dinner party or unexpected guest, the tips and strategies listed below will help get your home ready for guest quickly!
Just remember you are cleaning quickly, so everything you pick up probably won’t land in its rightful location. The point is to get it out of the way, and after they leave, you can go back to cleaning like normal and putting items in their proper location.
Table of Contents
SPEED CLEAN BEFORE GUESTS ARRIVE
PRIORITIZE
When the company shows up, they spend the majority of their time in three rooms: the kitchen, the family or living room, and the bathroom. These are the areas you should focus on first.
Start by grabbing a laundry basket and putting everything that is clutter or doesn’t belong in the basket. Put the basket in a closet or a closed room. You can deal with its contents at a later date. Next, grab a garbage bag and do the same thing.
If you have family members to help you, delegate a task to get the house clean even faster.
Related: How To Declutter Your Home Fast
CLOSE DOORS
Everybody knows that a closed door means the room is off limits. So go around the house and close all the doors to the rooms you don’t have time to clean and tidy. You can deal with the kids messy rooms when you have more time and after guests leave. If you’re having a large group of people over, take the time to clean the upstairs bathroom. People will be looking to use it when they have to go!
Related: How To Clean Your House Fast
ENTRYWAY
Have more time? Put shoes away, pick up the backpacks and put them away, hang coats up and make the entry way of your home look presentable and ready for guests. This is the first thing they will see as they come in, so make sure it looks clean and fresh.
Related: How To Speed Clean The Kitchen When You Only Have 15 Minutes
BATHROOM
This is a must and like I stated above this includes all bathrooms if you’re having a large group of people over your home. If it’s a small group, cleaning the guest bathroom should be sufficient.
Spend the time to clear the counters, the back of the toilet, and anything else that is lying around like dirty clothes and towels.
Wipe the counters, sink, and toilet with a cleaning rag. Spray and wipe the mirror and shine the faucets too.
Close the shower curtain, put out fresh hand towels, light a candle or turn on an essential oil diffuser and you’re done.
Related: Small and Simple Daily Tasks To Keep Your Bathroom Clean
LIVING/FAMILY ROOM
Like I said it’s most important you focus the limited to you have before guests arrive by cleaning the areas where you’ll spend the majority of your time. You’ve already filled your basket with all the clutter lying around. Now it’s time to dust and vacuum. Wipe down the surfaces and vacuum the area. Plump pillows and fold throw blankets. If you have the time grab some cut flowers and put them on the coffee table. Light a candle, so the room smells fresh.
KITCHEN
A dirty kitchen can be a real turn off especially if you are serving food. Make sure your counters are clean, and that you’ve wiped them down. Put all dishes in the dishwasher and run a quick load. Clean out your sink and shine the faucet. If you have time give the fronts of your appliances a cleaning and top of your stove. Clean the table and put a fresh table cloth on it (if you use them). Vacuum and quickly mop the floor. Put out clean dish towels.
Related: The 8 Dirtiest Places In Your Kitchen
MAKE IT SMELL GOOD
Open up the windows and air out your house! Often we get immune to the smell of our living environment, but our guests notice the funky smell. Regularly opening up the windows to air out your house is a good idea even in colder months.
But, before the guests arrive, open the windows and give your house a good airing out. Then light a candle, have a diffuser running or even throw a few cinnamon sticks in a pot of water simmering on the stove. No matter what you choose, make sure your home smells good.
OPEN CURTAINS AND TURN ON LIGHTS
Having a home that has beautiful natural light shining in seems a bit brighter and more welcoming! Have you ever walked into a home and it is dark and not just that inviting or pleasing. You will be amazed at how turning the lights on or opening windows will change the whole atmosphere of your room.
CONCLUSION
No need to panic when you know the company is on its way. Before guests arrive, clear the clutter, focus on the rooms you’ll spend the most time in, make sure you wipe down surfaces and that bathrooms are fresh looking too.
I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.
