“COMPANY’S COMING!” No two words can strike fear into the hearts of homeowners like those two words. Well, before you launch into full-on panic mode at the thought of cleaning your house for holiday guests, relax!
Just follow these top tricks for speed cleaning your house so you can have more "happy" in your holidays and a lot less stress! Supplies to Speed Clean Your House … with Natural Cleaning Products Too!
- Lemon
- Laundry basket
- Microfiber cloths
- Vinegar & Baking Soda
- Essential Oils (if you use them)
- Your Favorite All-Purpose Cleaner
- Betsy (or whatever you’ve named your trusty vacuum cleaner)
- Some good holiday jams … because really, busting a move always makes cleaning better.
Set a Timer
What’s your goal for speed cleaning the house? 1 hour flat? 42 minutes tops? Setting a timer with your speed goal can be incredibly motivating. And even if you don’t make your goal, you can still look back on those minutes and feel super accomplished with how much you’ve already gotten done! A-Tisket, A-Tasket, A Speed Cleaning Basket It’s smart investing in a cleaning caddy so you can have everything you need for speed cleaning all ready to go when the time comes.HIDE!
No, not you. Your clutter! This is where a laundry basket becomes your BFF for tidying up the house for holiday entertaining. Start in your entryway and pick up any clutter. Throw it in the basket, then move on to the living room, great room, and anywhere else your guests will be gathering. Everything goes in the laundry basket, which you can then stash in a bedroom and worry about later. What about clutter in your kitchen sink? If your dishwasher is already full of clean dishes that you don't have time to unload, hide the dirty dishes in a bucket and stuff it way back under the sink. Note about bedrooms: unless a certain bedroom will be used to have guests throw their purses and coats on the bed, just shut the doors and have them be a no-entry zone.Make a Great First Impression
Give your guests a welcome smell when they walk through your door, but beware of air fresheners. Many people are sensitive to air fresheners because they contain so many chemicals. Symptoms can range from headaches to nausea. Go the natural air freshening route by diffusing a festive essential oil (eo), such as pine, cinnamon, peppermint, clove or wild orange. EO diffusers are portable and very affordable, so treat yourself to an early holiday gift and get one. Want your home to just be UNscented? Spray Oxyfresh All-Purpose Deodorizer. It’s powered by Oxygene® to dissolve odors completely. Oxygene® is safe and non-toxic to both people and pets, and perfect for removing odors from any room.Speed-Cleaning Bathroom Basics
Yes, your bathroom CAN be squeaky clean using natural cleaning products.- Clean the toilet. Here’s a natural cleaning solution we love. Add a half-cup of baking soda into the toilet, a few drops of tea tree or lemon essential oil (or skip the oils if you don't use them), then a cup of vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and call it good.
- Spray all surfaces with your favorite natural cleaner, then wipe clean. (We like mixing 2 T Oxyfresh Unscented Face and Body Wash with 8 oz. Oxyfresh All-Purpose Deodorizer in a spray bottle because it has tough cleaning power without harsh chemicals.)
- Change to a full roll of toilet paper.
- Empty the garbage.
- Close the shower curtain.
- Wipe down the mirror with a microfiber cloth.
- Take a cloth and quickly wipe down the baseboards and corners of the floor so that your guests won’t see any grime when they're going.
Put the Mop Down
How to speed clean the kitchen? Wipe down your counters and stove with a cloth. Then scrub the sink with a lemon and put a portion of the rind into the disposal and run it to naturally get rid of odors. Don’t stress about busting out the mop to clean your kitchen floors. Simply sweep and then spot clean your floors with a wet cloth.Rally Around Your Refrigerator
Hosts often forget the refrigerator when speed cleaning. Do a quick scan of it. Are there smudge-prints on the outside? (Enter microfiber cloth.) What about that holder under the water dispenser? If it has unsightly hard water stains, soak it in some vinegar while you focus on other cleaning tasks. Then open up the refrigerator. Wipe up any spills, straighten up the condiments, and get rid of old leftovers so you can make room for dishes your guests might bring.Employ the Art of Distraction
With a stunning poinsettia or other festive decor, you can employ the art of distraction if your house isn't completely spotless. And if you have a dimmer switch, use it! When the lights are down low, hidden dust bunnies won’t be front and center.End with a Quick Vacuum
Even if your house isn’t in pristine condition, there’s nothing like some freshly made vacuum tracks in the carpet to give it that spotless appearance. Do a quick dusting of the living room with your microfiber cloth and then vacuum.
Remember: speed cleaning is all about cutting corners, so don’t worry about vacuuming them!
