How to Clean Your House When You’ve Got Company Coming in Ten Minutes

Ten Minutes Is Still Enough Time to Clean Up Before Guests Arrive

Contributor

By Cherie Burbach
eHow Contributing Writer

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(6 Ratings)

You get the call that your long lost pal is in town, and typically, didn’t give you any notice that they’re on their way to your house. While you’re excited to see them again, you’re also secretly freaked out (and annoyed) that they didn’t give you more time to at least clean up. Not to worry, even if you’ve only got ten minutes, you’ve still got time to make your living space presentable. Here are a few tips on what to do with each precious minute.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Start with the bathroom. When your pals are in other rooms of your house, they’ll probably be focused on you and the conversation. In the bathroom, however, they’ve got more time to look around. Since guests will probably have to use this room upon their arrival, it’s best to spiff it up first.
Step 2

Think “visibly clean.” After all, you’re trying to make things look nice, not sanitize the house. Grab the glass cleaner and some paper towels, and go to town. Start with the bathroom and make the mirror, faucets, and toilet look nice. Unless your guests are staying overnight, don’t worry about the tub and shower. Empty the garbage and stash any miscellaneous toiletries that happen to be lying around in the closet.
Step 3

Pick up the living room. Put kid’s toys in their rooms or in a big basket. Don’t worry if their rooms aren’t spick and span, you’re concentrating on your guests for now.
Step 4

Head to the kitchen and place dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher. Turn off the lights over the sink and stove. If the floor is dirty, take a broom and sweep it off. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect, guests won’t be examining your floor.
Step 5

If your own bedroom is a mess, just close the door. If there are only a few items laying around, put them in the closet.
Step 6

Get out some cookies, crackers, or snack items. Place them in a nice bowl and put them out in the living room where you’ll be conversing. When guests have food and drink they’ll be less likely to snoop all over your house.
Step 7

When guests arrive, take their coats and place them on the bed or hang them yourself. Don’t give them a reason to march all over your house.
Step 8

Don’t volunteer to give them “a tour” of the house the first moment they arrive. If your friends ask for one, shrug it off by saying, “Another time. I’d rather catch up, I haven’t seen you in so long.”
Step 9

Spend your visit by focusing on your guest. Ask them lots of questions and find out about their lives. The point is to catch up instead of worry about the state of your house. Ultimately, they want to see you… not your house.

Comments

lschofield said

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on 2/8/2008 I try to do something like this every weeknight, company or not. Then, when company really does arrive it's not so stressful. Swiffer mops are great for floors. Clean spill as they happen. I do dishes immediately every day, that way they never need scrubbing. Weekends are usually for deep cleaning. That way, if you DO take a weekend off and you've been good on the other weeks its not the end of the world!

EvntDesgn said

on 2/4/2008 I've got two more helpful tips! #1- Hide dirty pots or pans in the oven- just be sure to order takeout! #2- Dim the lights a hint and light some scented candles- everything looks better in candlelight and your home will smell great!