Someone calls to say he or she is going to drop by or perhaps your spouse or child is bringing home a last minute guest. Maybe your house isn’t exactly as neat as you’d like when company is coming but you don’t really have time for a thorough cleaning. Straightening can make a big difference.
Start with the main areas such as the living room or family room, where your guest will likely spend the most time.
Collect Clutter
Walk through the house quickly with a trash bag and a basket or bin. Throw away any unecessary papers or trash and stash items that go elsewhere in the basket. If you have time, you can put them away. If not, stash the basket in the laundry room or closet until later.
Stack Stuff
If there are papers that you need but you don’t have time to sort or file, simply stack them neatly and set them in an out of the way place. It will look much neater than scattered papers. You can also stack boxes or other items and set them in a corner, on a shelf, or under a table, instead of having stuff piled up all over.
Ditch the Dust
Grab your duster and give it a little spritz with dusting spray. Give items in the most used spaces a quick going over. You can move everything to dust under it later. For now, just go over and between.
Prepare a Path
Make sure walkways are clear of toys or other items like shoes. Put shoes by the door and gather toys into one area if you don’t have time to put them away. A laundry basket works great for gathering toys quickly to concentrate them in one small space instead of having them all over the room.
Whip out the Wipes
Give the kitchen or bathroom a quick going over with baby wipes or specially treated cleaning wipes. Wipe down surfaces and sinks and mirrors for a quick shine.
Housework: The Ten Minute Tidy Up