Company Coming? Decide Which Rooms to Clean!
I love hosting friends and family, but there’s not much else that floods my heart with a moment of dread as when I’m lounging around my home and see someone unexpectedly pull in my driveway.
Perhaps someday, when my home is cleaned up all the time, the surprise won’t be so jolting. But for now, with the everyday clutter that comes with kids and pets and a busy life, not much else can send me running to attempt to pick things up in an instant with a rush of terror.
Sometimes you invite guests to come over months in advance, but other times you have just a few minutes to get your home ready to welcome people into your home.
Depending on your comfort level, you might relate to me and feel a surge of panic when you find out guests are stopping by and you know you’re not ready. Or, you might be happy to welcome others to your home no matter how messy or clean it looks.
When guests let you know that they’re coming over at a moment’s notice, you may wonder what rooms you should pick up. Here’s an ultra-quick way to decide which rooms to clean:
How to Decide Which Rooms to Clean
Factor 1: Which room is closest to the door you’ll use?
Think about where you’ll greet your guest. Do you typically bring company in your kitchen door? Is your front door closest to your living room? Or do you have a spacious foyer where you can talk with guests?
Whatever room is by the entrance you’ll use, focus on straightening up that space. Notice that you don’t have to worry about cleaning that room if you’re rushed for time. Simply pick things up to make the room presentable.
Factor 2: What time of day will your company arrive?
If your guests are arriving close to a mealtime, you may want to invite them into your kitchen either to talk with you as you cook or so that you have a comfortable spot to offer them a bite to eat or something to drink. In that case, focus on cleaning up your kitchen before your guest arrives.
However, if your kitchen is a wreck with piles of dirty dishes and your guests show up in the middle of the day, keep them out of your kitchen and keep them in another room of your home, with comfortable seating. Spend a few minutes picking up the other room and forget about touching anything in your kitchen.
Factor 3: How long will your guests visit?
If you think your guests will stay for longer than fifteen minutes, take some time to clean up the bathroom your guests might need to use. Very quickly, spritz some cleaning spray on your toilet seat and bowl, in your bathroom sink, and on any bathroom countertop. Wipe everything clean, and try to clean up any clutter off your bathroom countertop and surfaces. Make sure you have a clean hand towel and some soap at the sink, and trust that good enough will need to be good enough.
If you have a guest bathroom in your home, make sure it’s always fairly clean and stocked with extra toilet paper, soap, and a fresh hand towel. This will make welcoming expected and unexpected guests a lot easier.
Fortunately, your entire home does not need to be spic and span when company’s coming over.
If you need to get ready in a pinch or jump into some spontaneous hospitality, simply decide which room to use and tidy up that space. Spend just a few minutes cleaning … and enjoy welcoming guests to your home!
Need more advice? Read: 5 Super Quick Ways to Get Ready for Company on a Moment’s Notice.
What is your typical reaction to spur-of-the-moment guests? How do you get your home ready at the last minute?
Images courtesy of Lightstock.
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