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CartHere’s How to Get Your Home Ready for Company
Inviting friends and family over for special occasions, whether holidays or dinner parties, is one of life’s pleasures. While your loved ones are there to see you and not your house, creating a clean, welcoming atmosphere will help you relax and have a good time. Here’s some tips to help you get your home company ready.
Keep a Weekly Cleaning Schedule
Few things are more stressful than a last-minute cleaning frenzy right before guests show up. Even worse is when you have unexpected guests pop in when your home is not to your liking. A weekly cleaning schedule helps ensure your home is ready for guests at a moment’s notice.
Try following this weekly schedule to stay on top of things:
Monday:
Deep clean your bathrooms including showers, toilets, and mirrors or glass
Clean windows throughout the house
Do a few loads of laundry
Tuesday:
Dust and polish furniture
Vacuum the sofa and other upholstery
Wednesday:
Change sheets on all beds and freshen up fabrics
Clean your appliances with the appropriate appliance cleaners
Thursday:
Give your bathrooms a good wipe down to keep Monday’s deep clean looking fresh
Wipe down your kitchen cabinetry
Do a few loads of laundry
Friday:
Organize your home office, throw away junk paper, and empty out waste baskets
Vacuum tile floors throughout your home
Saturday/Sunday:
Clean the Main Bathroom
At some point, one or more of your guests will enter your main bathroom. For this reason, it’s important to keep it looking (and smelling) its best. Give it a quick wipe down using a rag or disinfectant wipe. When deep cleaning, scrub the toilet and clean the tub and shower using a shower cleaner. You may also need a separate tile and grout cleaner to remove accumulated grime on the shower tiles. Finally, wipe down the mirror and tidy up anything that might be out of place such as towels on the floor, and check that your soap dispenser is full.
Clean the Kitchen
Another area your guests are almost sure to wind up is the kitchen. Not only is this a common area for conversation, but it’s also where meals will be prepared. For this reason, it should be neat and clean when guests arrive. Top priority is doing the dishes and wiping down the counters. If you have time, give your appliances a once-over as well. Taking out the trash is also a must: it will reduce odours and lets you start with an empty can for easier cleanup after a meal.
Add Some Scent
It’s common to become “nose blind” against stale odours that can permeate your home, but your guests will notice them as soon as they enter. Again, empty the kitchen and bathroom trash cans. Deodorize wet or musty areas by wiping them down with an antibacterial cleaning solution or use deodorizing powders and sprays. Keep air freshener handy in the bathroom, and spray a little into any room that might have odours. Scented candles can also add a warm scent to the air.
Snacks, Treats & Other Food
Nothing makes drop-in guests feel more welcome than being greeted with coffee and snacks Keep a few pre-made appetizers in the freezer, along with crackers, nuts, dips and spreads. You can also lay out some cookies and candy on your counter or in the living room. If people stay longer than expected, a slow cooker offers a quick, convenient way to prepare dinner while you entertain your guests.
Dinnerware & Serving Trays
If you really want to make a great impression, having stylish serving trays, bowls and other dishes is a great first step. Matching dinnerware and cutlery creates a cultured, cohesive appearance, while new bar and stemware ensures all drinks are served in their proper glasses.
Last Minute Prep
Sometimes you only have an hour or two to tidy up before last minute guests arrive. Not to worry! You can focus on a few key areas that will make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time:
Sweep or vacuum the floors
Swish a toilet brush around the toilet and tidy the bathroom
Use a feather duster on all surfaces
Make the beds
Mop the floors
Wipe down the tub and shower
Throw clutter like papers, clothes or shoes into plastic containers and hide them in a closet
Wipe down mirrors and other surfaces that tend to get smudged
Winter Guests
Winter means extra care should be taken to ensure the safety of guests. Do your snow clearing in advance, making sure to shovel your driveway, front steps, and any walkways. Throw down some ice melting salts to help keep them clear. Check your roofline for snow drifts and use a roof rake if needed.
Stayovers
Occasionally, guests may stay over night. Whether this is planned ahead of time or last minute, it’s a good idea to keep your guest bedroom and bathroom stocked, clean, and ready to go at a moment’s notice:
Keep clean towels where they’re easy to find
Have extra personal care items stocked up, such as facial tissues, shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, lotion and dental hygiene products
Keep basic first-aid and pain relief items within reach, such as bandages, pain reliever, and antacids
Maintain a clean guest bed, or have clean sheets and bedding available if you’re using a sofa or pull-out bed/air mattress
If guests will be staying more than one night, ensure they have somewhere to keep their personal items, such as a dresser, basket, or closet
Entertaining company should be a happy experience, not a headache. By taking these easy steps in advance and keeping a few key items on hand, you can ensure your home is ready for guests at a moment’s notice.
