Friends coming over in an hour and your house is a mess? Relax! You don’t have to break world records in sprinting. You just need a plan.
“From the front door, follow the path your guests will walk, straightening up and cleaning only what your guests are most likely going to notice,” says Donna Smallin Kuper, an organizing and cleaning expert and author of Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness. In other words, you’re working the optics—not trying to achieve perfection.
Kuper recommends grabbing a large garbage bag, two microfiber cloths and a laundry basket (for objects that need to be put away in other rooms). Then zip through the guest zone with her tried-and-true tricks. You should be completely done in 15 minutes flat. Go!
Front Door & Entryway
- Remove anything unsightly from your front porch (pots of dead flowers, old newspapers, cobwebs) and shake out the mat.
- Gather any clutter in the foyer (shoes, umbrellas, bags) and put it in your laundry basket (when it’s full, take it to the laundry room and get another basket).
Kitchen
- Stow any dirty dishes in the dishwasher (or under the sink if you’re in a jam—just don’t forget they’re there later, or you’ll wind up with a pest problem).
- Put away everything that shouldn’t be on the counters, and wipe them down.
- Spot-clean any large splatters on the floor with a wet paper towel.
Bathroom
- Clean the mirror using a dry microfiber cloth (it doesn’t leave streaks the way sprays can).
- Pull the shower curtain closed.
- Clean the counter and sink; give the toilet a quick brush and flush.
- Replace the towels, putting dirty ones in the laundry basket.
- Empty the trash and add a new trash bag.
Living Area
- Put all objects that need relocating in the laundry basket; plump the couch and chair pillows.
- Use a large microfiber cloth to dust as you straighten up everything in the room.
- Bring out the vacuum and run it only where your guests will walk, sit or stand. Then retrace your steps and vacuum the kitchen (even if it’s tile or wood).
Halls
- Continue vacuuming along the flow of foot traffic.
- Throw any items that don’t belong into your laundry basket.
- Store the laundry basket, vacuum, garbage bag and cloths in the laundry room, and close the door behind you. You’re done!
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By Caroline Hwang
Read more: Conquer clutter for good
camille stines says,
very good advice all over. THANKS
felix SOSA says,
I hate to see a sink full of dishes and unmade bed. Pickup after yourself and you won’t have to do this when unexpected co.arrive
Diana Talbott says,
Great info.
Thanks!
Brian Hunt says,
I can see that just about all GEICO customers are constructive and respectful when they leave comments. What a nice bunch! Wish the entire internet was more like that.
Great little article, but where were you when my cousin showed up Friday night with barely an hour’s notice?
Thanks!
Jacqueline Foster says,
Try to keep everything’s in order, so when visitors stop by everything’s will be in places. It’s is best to clean behind yourselves when you do things, don’t wait until it’s to late because you do not know when someone’s is coming by!!
Mrs. Mary H. Sands says,
Funny. : ) Your writer is sweet.
chuck says,
If you can do all this in 15 minutes you are superhuman!
avatar says,
I love the ideas in this article, but it does take me more than 15 minutes to get all those done. The kitchen and the bathroom take up most of the time. 🙂
Mildred Bryant says,
Don’t have guest coming and this works for easy, quick cleaning or every day cleaning.
Thanks GEICO.
michael says,
nice! …would also add to quick make the bed- makes a diff in terms of tidiness 🙂
Charline Palmer says,
Thanks good plan
Em says,
Quick and easy tips! Very good if you are in a rush!
Kay says,
totally me…lol
ALBERTA PROSSER says,
A BIG THANK YOU. I CAN DO THAT.
Joe Byrne says,
Thanks. Great advice that I should know but should follow and not wait until the last minute.
It would be better (but unlikely) that I should put things away soon after using them.
Carolyn says,
I put stuff up right away but my fiance doesn’t. I’m the same way about waiting until the last minute