5 Tips For Cleaning When You're Short on Time
Between kids, pets, and spouses it's inevitable that an hour before company arrives for your holiday party is when you'll start cleaning (and getting dressed, sometimes simultaneously). So when you're short on time, how do you get that Martha Stewart look without an army of maids and helpers?
Don't stress! Here are our favorite tips to prioritize your cleaning list and be ready when that first guest inevitably arrives 10 minutes early.
Dining room-easy win
Whether you'll be using the dining room as part of your entertainment space or not, it's an easy win when it comes to cleaning! Make sure you dust, arrange chairs, and hide any clutter in curio cabinets, buffet stands, and move anything that doesn't belong to the dining room out. A quick run with the vacuum and you're done. Because who doesn't love fresh vacuum tracks? (Or avoid vacuuming yourself by using a Roomba- our clients love them!)
Kitchen- hide and seek
Dirty dishes all over? And some of them need to be hand washed, too. Hide dirty dishes in the dishwasher (and oven, if you must, but don't forget them before your next use!). Next, wipe down counters and vacuum floors. That's it, you're done!
Living room- tidy the toys
Whether you have kids or not, the living room has someone's toys in it...take five minutes to tidy the space and use your existing bins, baskets, and furniture storage (ottomans, TV stands, benches, etc.) to hide any mess or clutter. Do a quick dust and vacuum- especially if your pets enjoy lounging on the couch.
Guest bathroom- shine
If your family regularly uses the guest bathroom, be sure to wipe down surfaces and shine the mirror. Vacuum the floor and watch for runaway hairpins! Pro tip: light a floral or clean cotton candle or keep some Poo Pourri on hand. Your guests will thank you- silently, but they'll thank you!
Bedroom- optional
If you're not allowing guests in the bedroom, use it as your quick fix for clutter items you don't have time to put away. Hide pet beds (pets, too, if your guests are allergic or uncomfortable around animals), toys, overflow of magazines, crafting supplies, and anything else you have out on a regular basis but your guests don't need to see. If your home isn't large, a little clutter looks enormous fast!
If you are allowing guests into the bedroom (to drop off coats, use the master bathroom, or just see your amazing shoe collection) be sure to at minimum make the bed. It's the centerpiece of your bedroom and this tip goes a long way to making the entire room appear tidy. Have a cluttered nightstand? Use your drawers! Have space under the bed? Now's the time to put that bed skirt to work! Hide extra blankets, that gross pillow you love so much, and any wayward books under the bed.
Don't forget to toss your laundry into the hamper!
Enjoy the party and promise yourself a couple of solid hours the next day to clean up, disinfect and organize.
