Argh! You’ve spent all morning in the kitchen and your house is a disaster. Don’t panic.These tips will help you speed through the tidying up before the guests arrive.
First up, look at the room where you will be spending most of your time. What can be move and removed to give a tidier appearance? Children’s toys on the floor? A washing basket filled with the folding you never quite get around too? Snatch up these things and stash them in a room that guests are unlikely to visit.
Gather the troops to tidy
Next enlist the kids or grandkids to help with the task of tidying. Make it a game; you may even set a reward for the most helpful helper. Have the children place scatter cushions, remove magazines, piles of bills or letters (to a safe place). Older kids can take out the trash or make sure flowers are arranged nicely in a vase.
Grab a duster and give the surfaces in your room a quick swipe, pay attention to flat, dark surfaces as they will show dust more clearly.
In the kitchen and dining room give all flast surfaces a wipe. If you have dishes in the sink make sure you stash them in the dishwasher. Bride a child to unpack the dishwasher first so you have ample storage room for all those dirty pots and pans.
Grab a broom or vaccuum cleaner if you really need it and focus only on the floors in the rooms where your guests will be. Now’s not the time for a top to bottom spring clean.
Seasonal scents
When you are done, light a scented candle – cinnamon, orange and cranberry is particularly nice this time of year.
In the guest bathoom, check that there is a fresh handtowel and ample toilet paper for your guests. Give the basin a wipe and ensure there is no toothpaste on the mirror!
While you are there, check yourself out. Now’s the time to make sure you hair is in place, add a slick of a lipstick if you like.
Take a step back and take a deep breath. You’ve pulled yourself and your house together in mere minutes. You’re guests are arriving and it’s time to grab yourself a refreshing drink and enjoy!
