The holidays are nearly upon us – which means at any moment, that phone could ring with the in-laws on the other side saying “Hey, we landed early and we’re on our way to your house. We’ll be there in 20 minutes!” As luck would happen, this typically happens when your house is an absolute pig sty. (After all, who doesn’t put off house cleaning until the last minute?) But don’t freak out. By employing some emergency last minute cleaning tips, you can make your house look passable in no time.

This is a guest post from green living writer Harriette Halepis. Thanks for the tips Harriette – I know we’ll be using them once the hectic holidays roll around!

What do you do when unexpected guests are about to arrive at your house? Instead of rushing around your home in a frantic attempt to clean everything from the walls to the windows, take a look at these quick cleaning tips – they’ll save you from wasting time, energy, and sweat!

1. Window cleaner is your best friend. Not only can this magical elixir polish your panes, it also has the power to make anything shine. Try spraying a few drops on anything stainless or metallic – you’ll be amazed at how quickly this stuff turns tarnished items into works of art!

2. Make a break for the bathroom. While most people are entirely unpredictable, you can count on one thing: guests will always use your bathroom. This means that your bathroom should be as clean as possible. Squirt some toilet bowl cleaner in your toilet, wash down your sinks, and give the floor a good sweep – don’t forget to pull your shower curtain tight (no need to clean your bath on such short notice!).

3. Vacuum. Run your vacuum cleaner across any large rugs or entryway rugs. It’s amazing how much difference a good vacuum cleaning can make.

4. Check with your pets. Unless your cat box is located in the basement, you may want to do a quick scoop and sniff. Cats are adorable, but they can also leave behind some smelly waste. If you have a dog, bring your puppy outside for a quick walk – you don’t want to rush off to walk the dog when your guests are arriving!

5. Laundry check. While most people won’t wander into your laundry room, if your laundry pile is visible then you may want to straighten it. Don’t worry about actually doing a load of wash, but you can make a tilting pile a bit straighter with ease.

6. Kitchen crazy! Is your kitchen sink overflowing with dirty dishes? If you don’t have a dishwasher, take the time to try and straighten your sink. Or, better yet, do a quick dish-cleanup before your guests arrive. If you have a dishwasher, go ahead and throw those dishes inside of it – after all, you’ll have to run the dishwasher eventually! Then, grab a rag and wipe down your countertops. Everyone expects a bit of kitchen clutter, but removing the spaghetti and coffee stains will make your home a lot more inviting!

7. Love your living room. Living rooms are meant for, well, living, but your guests will probably be sitting in your living room during their visit. Fluff couch pillows, straighten television remotes, and remove anything that shouldn’t be in your living room space (your gym bag, for example).

8. All around scrutiny. Run through your home, and take mental notes of things that are out of place. Plates that never quite made it to the kitchen, glasses that are cluttering nightstands, and socks that have wound up in the middle of the hallway are just some of the things to watch out for. Then, grab those out-of-place items, and place them where they should go.

9. Do some dusting. If you have the time, dust any glass or wooden surfaces with some multi-purpose cleaner. Not only will your home shine, but you’ll also add the pleasant (orange or lemon) scent of cleaner to the air – your home will smell summertime fresh!

10. Do clean your dining room table! Nothing is more off-putting to guests than a dining room table that doubles as a closet, work station, or laundry room. Take a few moments to clean your dining room table, and you’ll be glad that you did!

If you get into the habit of cleaning as you go, you’ll find that picking up your home for unexpected guests is quite simple. Clean your kitchen sink after every use, wipe down your shower when you are done with it, and try to make your bed every morning.
Want a great way to keep your bathroom clean at all times? Place a box of cleaning wipes in your bathroom, and use the wipes every morning. Wipe down toilet handles, door handles, and sinks – not only will you disinfect your home, you’ll also keep your bathroom space spic and span!

Image by nate steiner.