This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Clorox for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
You’re at home in your less-than-clean house and the dreaded call comes over the line: “Hi, it’s (insert name of friend/relative here). I’ll be in the neighborhood and though I would drop by:
– to say HI”
– to drop off the book I borrowed.”
– to have a cup of coffee”
Whatever the variation of that phone conversation, it means you will have company in your messy house in less than an hour. Don’t panic!! If you have 20 minutes to spare (and have read our tips ahead of time), you can make your house presentable in a hurry.
- Shut Doors
Your guests will most likely be only in your front room, your bathroom and possibly the kitchen. Concentrate on those areas and close the doors on other rooms in your house.
- Use Your Helpers
If you have family at home, its time to enlist them. Give each member a job or a room and tell them what to do – time of of the essence! Even the little ones can help to pick up toys or clutter.
- Declutter!
Clutter on the floors and tabletops makes everything look messy. You don’t have to move everything to its “permanent home”, but grab a laundry basket and go around loading everything into it and stash it away in a closet or unused room.
- Clean the Bathroom
A very important room to address is definitely the bathroom! Take everything off your counters and give them a good wipe down with Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Micro-Scrubbers, available at Target. They are quick and easy to use (no spraying and then using a separate rag or towel.) Plus, not only do they wipe out germs, dirt and grease, but the textured surface helps scour away stubborn messes. Drop a bleach tablet in your toilet bowl to disinfect it and wipe own the rest of the bowl with more Clorox Micro-Scrubbers. Also make sure there is plenty of toilet paper to avoid awkward situations for your guests.
- Make the Kitchen Presentable
Dirty dishes? Fill your dishwasher as full as it will go, and hide the rest. Fill your kitchen sink with water and dish detergent and put the rest of your dirty dishes under those suds. They’re just soaking! Finish off the kitchen by giving the counters a quick wipe down with Clorox Micro-Scrubbers. The absorbent, thick wipes can tackle kitchen messes including grease and they also kill 99.9% of germs that can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, including 99.9% of viruses* and bacteria.
- Mmm…What’s that (good) Smell?
While you’re in the kitchen, use an old home-selling trick to make your house smell amazing in an instant. Bake cookies! This will probably only work if you have a pack of cookie dough in your fridge that you can put on a cookie sheet and throw in the oven. Not only will the house smell great, but you’ll have a fresh-baked treat for your guests to distract them from any lingering messiness!
- Attack the Floors
Dirty floors can make the whole house look dirty. Grab the vacuum or a broom and tackle the most troublesome spots. Again, it doesn’t have to be a perfect job, it just needs to look good!
- Shine a little light (and then turn it off again)
Dust is another thing that makes the house look dirty. Turn off your artificial lights and open up the shades or curtains. Natural light will let you see all of the areas where dust is hiding in your living room. It’s time to break out the Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Micro-Scrubbers again since they are perfect for a variety of surfaces, including finished hardwood. Once you’re done, you can close the curtains again to take the spotlight off any other cleaning you might have missed!
- Calm down!
Take a deep breath and don’t stress out. Your family is your family and your friends are your friends. If they notice a little bit of a mess it won’t be the end of the world.
*Human Coronavirus, Influenza A2 Virus; †Staphylococcus aureus; ‡Escherichia coli O157:H7; §Salmonella enterica;
Kiwi says
Pop up guest are the worst! Yes the bathroom is the most important part of the house because someoene always has to go to the bathroom!
mary says
Oh I’m going to try this routine. I am always last minute cleaning but feel like I get nowhere. Thanks
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This is a very good article with some very good advice.
I use those clean wipes and am a big fan of them!
Lighting a scented candle is another little tip to add.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I am going to try this tomorrow. I like to put on some good music when i clean. Thanks for the great tips.
Donna says
I always make sure my kitchen and bathrooms are clean… if they are, I’m fine with a little messed up. 🙂 I keep Clorox wipes in my kitchen and all 3 baths at all time – they are a necessity!
Diana Elizabeth says
I love Clorox wipes – I keep them in a cabinet in nearly every bathroom and under the kitchen sink – so convenient!
Toni says
De cluttering is the worst part I think. And without that there is no way to clean. Great post.
Theresa says
I am an expert at cleaning real quick when company is coming. It’s when I do my best housework lol. I do love how convenient those Clorox wipes are for quick cleaning jobs!
Marcie W. says
You should see my stockpile of Clorox wipes! They are great for quickly wiping down counters and the kids can easily use them too!
Pam says
These are great tips, especially enlisting help. You can do a lot on twenty minutes.
Catherine S says
My mother in-law loves to drop by on short notice. I need to pick up some Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Micro-Scrubbers.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This post is awesome! If there’s one thing I hate more than anything else, it’s cleaning. If I can do it well AND quickly, I’m all over it.