The Right Way to Clean Your Home Before Guests Arrive

Everyone wants their homes to be in spick-n-span condition when guests come over. Gleaming floors, a fresh, breathable indoor environment, a beautifully adorned living space and spotless appliances can leave a great impression on your guests. This reason is enough to motivate you to maintain a tidy abode. Whether hosting a small family gathering or calling your friends for sleepovers, quick cleaning is essential to keep dust, dirt, grime and stains at bay.

Fret not! We bring you a step by step guide to help you create a guest ready home. It is good to stock up on all the cleaning essentials and prioritise tasks to stay organised throughout the process. Ensure you pay special attention to your living area, kitchen surfaces, appliances and bathrooms to make a lasting impression on visitors. Many end of lease cleaning in Sydney experts even recommend following the top to bottom approach for efficient and spotless results.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Preparation Matters: Create a Checklist and Arrange Supplies

First things first! Jot down a comprehensive cleaning checklist to cover the entire home. This is the right time to prioritise a specific area or task, such as entryway, living room, guest room, toilets, etc. This way, you can streamline the entire process without feeling overwhelmed.

Moreover, arrange all the cleaning products and tools to save time and energy. If guests are coming on short notice, make the most of available cleaning supplies, such as cleaning cloths, vacuums, mops, brushes,  etc to tackle dust and grime. You can also prepare DIY natural cleaning products using magical ingredients from your kitchen pantry. This includes white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, salt, etc. Preparing in advance can make your life a lot easier.

2. Declutter Common Areas

Don’t delay! Start by removing unwanted items from your common rooms, such as living areas, entryways and hallways. This may include piles of laundry, dirty dishes, magazines, toys, boots, trash and other items. Reducing clutter can instantly make your house look cleaner and more spacious. The best part is that you can easily access dirt and grime from hard to reach places in no time. Isn’t it amazing!

Tip: Put them back in their designated places, like books on the bookshelf, dirty dishes in the dishwasher, etc.

3. Clean the Entryway

Believe it or not! The entryway or mudroom leaves the first impression of your home. It should be in a sterile condition to uplift the entire look and feel. A dirty front door area with leaves and spider webs clinging to the ceiling edges is not an image of an enthusiastic and responsible homemaker.

So, remove the clutter and clean every nook and cranny of your mudroom. Remove the dust and cobwebs from the ceilings, dust shoe racks, doors, and tracks using a damp microfiber cloth. Don’t forget to clean the rug in your entryway- you can vacuum it to remove embedded dust.

Tip: Make enough space for guest’s coats, shoes and other accessories to give them a sense of comfort.

4. Pay Special Attention to the Living Room

There is no denying that guests spend the most time in the living area. So, ensure you clean this particular area from top to bottom using a proper cleaning checklist. Start from the ceilings using a long extendable handle and make your way towards shelves, light fixtures, and fittings. etc.

Remove stains and grime from the upholstery using the white vinegar solution. Spray and blot the affected area for a few minutes. Next, fluff your pillows, mop your floors, and vacuum your door tracks and baseboards to welcome your guests to a spotless home.

5. Tidy the Kitchen Surfaces

Preparing delicious food is a common activity when guests arrive. However, keeping it clean and germ free is imperative for several reasons. Greasy, grimy and stained kitchen appliances, counters and cabinets ruin the first impression and harbour harmful germs that can lead to various health concerns, like food poisoning. So, it is good to do the following tasks before they arrive:

• Degrease your kitchen cabinets using vinegar solution.
• Clean your oven using baking soda and vinegar
• Steam clean your microwave
• Clean your fridge and dishwasher inside and outside
• Remove oil stains and grease from countertops and sinks using baking soda
• Disinfect faucets and other contaminated areas using rubbing alcohol

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6. Create an Organised Guest Bedroom

This is one of the most obvious rooms to clean, especially if you’re inviting guests for a night over. It is important to deep clean every nook and cranny, vacuum the mattress, dust side tables and lamps, clean cupboards and wardrobes and change bed linens. You can also include a welcome basket to the room with everyday essentials like snacks, warm socks and extra blankets.

7. Clean and Disinfect the Bathroom

Ensure you remove soap scum, hard water stains, limescale, rust stains and other grime from bathroom fixtures and fittings. If you notice mould and mildew, use 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil to banish black spores. You can also use white vinegar, baking soda, rubbing alcohol and castile soap to maintain a clean, fresh smelling and hygienic bathroom oasis for your guests.

Tip: Follow a comprehensive bathroom cleaning checklist to streamline your tasks with ease.

8. Clean the Carpet and Floors

Vacuum your carpets to remove embedded dust bunnies, pollen and pet hair. Use a HEPA-friendly machine with the right brush attachment. For stains and grime, blot the surface using a white vinegar solution. This will transfer the gunk onto the cloth. To refresh your carpets, sprinkle baking soda and vacuum it up in 10 minutes/.

It is good to sweep and mop hardwood floor using a pH-neutral cleaner to prevent discolouration and permanent damage.

9. Freshen Up the Air

Open your windows to let fresh air remove toxins from the room. You can also use essential oils like lavender or dried herbs in the diffuser to make your house smell fresh. This is one of the best ways to welcome your guests. Many end of lease cleaning Sydney professionals even recommend using vanilla extract, baking soda and coffee grounds to deodorise fridge, an oven and other kitchen appliances.

How to Clean Your Home Before Guests Arrive?

Wrapping up

These are some of the best ways to prepare your home for guests. You can easily spruce up your house, tidy common areas, deep clean important rooms and create a welcoming environment for your visitors. This will leave a lasting impression on them while boosting your confidence as a responsible homemaker.