Quick Clean-Up Tips for Unexpected Guests

Having unexpected guests can turn out to be a pleasant surprise and a source of stress at the same time. Having great company is great, but what if you don’t feel like your house looks presentable? Even if your home isn’t really guest-ready, there are some simple tricks you can do to make it seem better. 

As long as you focus on the key areas, you can clean up your house pretty quickly. All you need is to have a clear plan and to know where to start. Here are some of the best ways to clean your home moments before your unexpected guests arrive. 

Focus on High-Traffic Areas 

Whenever there is an issue with time, it’s crucial to set priorities. Hence, if your guests have just called to tell you they’ll be there in just half an hour, don’t panic. All you have to do is see which areas of the house are more important now than the rest. 

For instance, you should focus on high-traffic areas. Concentrate your efforts on areas such as the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. These are the places where the guests are most likely to go to and their cleanliness will make the biggest impact. As long as these areas and tidy, your home will seem clean, even if isn’t spotless entirely.

Start with the Living Room 

Before you get to work, make a list of what you want to do and put cleaning the living room on the first spot. Start by decluttering – remove anything that doesn’t belong there. Remove magazines, remote controls, and toys, for instance. 

You can use a laundry basket and store anything you don’t want in the living room there, for the time being. Then, make sure to use a microfiber cloth to dust surfaces, especially paying attention to tables and shelves. 

In the end, make the seating area look neater by fluffing the pillows and folding blankets. All of these will take just a couple of minutes, but they’ll make a huge difference. 

Work Your Way through the Kitchen 

Next, ensure to clean your kitchen as well. A tidy kitchen is a sign of cleanliness in general. Here, you can start by clearing countertops and removing food, dishes, and even small appliances. 

Again, use a cloth to wipe down the surfaces and get rid of possible crumbs and stains. Immediately, the area will look cleaner and more organised. If you have some dirty dishes in the sink, put them away in the dishwasher. 

On the other hand, if you don’t have a dishwasher or time to wash now, make sure to stack the dirty dishes neatly in the sink and cover them with a towel. Empty the trash bin to prevent unpleasant odours from lingering in the room. 

Clean the Bathroom 

Another critical area in your house might be your bathroom. That is why, when unexpected guests call, you should head to the bathroom as well. Wipe down the sink, faucet, and countertop first. The best way to make this effective is by using disinfecting wipes. 

This will help for now, but keeping your bathroom clean is extremely important for your personal hygiene. A deep clean from time to time will save you a hassle like this one. With professional house cleaning Melbourne, you can have a spotless bathroom at all times. 

Another thing you can do, even in such a rush, is to put on the fresh hand towels. Finally, you can also check if there’s enough toilet paper and if the soap dispenser is filled. If not, add anything that’s missing. 

Speed Cleaning Tricks 

When in rush, you could always turn to some of the most popular speed-cleaning tricks. For instance, quickly vacuum all of the high-traffic areas that we have already mentioned. This will pick up visible dirt and debris and give your floors a much better look.

If possible, save time by using a multi-purpose cleaner that can tackle different surfaces. That way, you’ll save time and money, if you don’t need multiple cleaning products. 

If you don’t have a minute to lose, you don’t have to clean the mess thoroughly. For instance, you don’t have to take everything to its place immediately. Instead, you can collect everything misplaced and hide it in a room or a closet. Later, when the guests leave, you can sort it all out. 

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere 

If you’re finished with cleaning the living room, kitchen, and bathroom, and you still have some time left before the guests arrive, you can do a lot more! There are plenty of simple touches that will quickly create a more welcoming and inviting atmosphere. 

For instance, you could light some candles or use air fresheners to create a pleasant ambience. Make sure to use mild fragrances, as strong smells can be a bit overwhelming. 

You can also adjust the lighting to create a cosier environment. A simple way to do this is by using lamps. Even some background musing will provide a soothing backdrop for conversation while making the home seem more inviting and intimate. 

Set Up a Guest Station 

If the time allows, you can go a step further. You can set up a small guest station. Pick the cleanest corner of the house and get it ready for the guests. 

Bottled water with some snacks such as nuts and cookies will immediately show your hospitality and good manners. If you have it, you can take out some hand sanitiser with tissues as well. 

Write your Wi-Fi password on a note and leave it by the snacks. These are all simple gestures, but they will mean a lot to your guests and they will make your home look even more presentable!

Conclusion 

Unexpected guests are known to be a bit of a trouble. However, even if your house isn’t spotless, you can make it seem so within minutes. All you need is to focus on high-traffic areas and keep in mind that your goal is to make the guests feel comfortable and not to have a perfect home!