"HELP! Company is coming!" Have you experienced moments of utter panic when you learn that friends or family are on their way over... you've just tracked mud into the kitchen (due to puddle jumping escapades with the kids) and the house is looking like a tornado scene from 'Twister'? You are not alone. Chaos happens!
The 'QUICK CLEAN'
Do you have 20 minutes and some gumption? You can have that mud cleaned up and the house tidy in a short amount of time. The 'QUiCK CLEAN' solution can transform the average home from chaotic-tornado-territory to presentable. Although this is not a substitute for regular or deep cleaning, it serves to freshen up living spaces in record time for those moments in life when 'urgency' seems to be ruling the day. Are you ready?
'QUICK CLEAN' CHECK LIST
To save time... pick one corner of the house and systematically move from one room to the next until you have come full circle. If there is a spouse or other family member at home... RECRUIT their help! Tear the list in half or thirds... DIVIDE and CONQUER it together and finish in half the time!
At our place, we begin at the back of the house working our way right out the front door! Our cleaning list looks like this:
BEDROOMS / 5 mins.
Make the bed. It is the largest piece of furniture in the room. Pulling up the comforter and fluffing the pillows instantly improves the overall feel of the room!Clear the floor. Fold, hang, put away stray clothes & shoes.
Straighten bedside table and dresser surfaces. Put away jewelry, straighten reading material, etc.
BATHROOMS / 5 mins.
Polish the mirror. Remove splatters with paper towel and glass cleaner.Wipe out the sink. Clorox wipes are great for a quick clean.
Swoosh the toilet bowl. Use a brush & cleaner to remove the 'ring of fire' and freshen the bowl.
Wipe toilet seat & rim. Use a Clorox wipe & toss.
Pull shower curtain closed. Let the curtain and liner dry thoroughly to reduce mold growth. Glass shower doors can get a quick clean with a wipe of Windex, water and squeegee.
Spot clean the floor. Use a damp paper towel to clean up splatters and gather stray hairs.
Remove trash & replace garbage can liner.
LIVING ROOM / 5 mins.
Clear the clutter. Put away toys, games, laptops and anything else not in its rightful place.Tidy the sofa & chairs. Fluff pillows & fold lap blankets.
Straighten surfaces. Straighten magazines & books on coffee table and end tables. Gather remotes & place together (in a drawer if possible). Throw away trash.
Quick dust and spot clean surfaces.
KITCHEN / 5 mins.
Clear the clutter. Remove paper piles, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. Do the dishes! Polish the sink. A quick wipe with Windex Glass and Surface wipes leaves sink, faucet and handles streak free and pristine!
Wipe counters, table and stove top. Clean spills and splatters with damp cloth and all-purpose cleaner.
Sweep and/or spot clean floors. Use paper towel & all-purpose cleaner.
Fold and hang dish towels.
TIME CRUNCH TIP:
If you are crunched for time and do not have 20 mins. to tidy the house... focus your energy on the public rooms and a bathroom. Make them presentable since they will be the areas most likely to be seen and used. Close the doors and turn off lights to the private rooms. :)
GREET FRIENDS with CONFIDENCE.
Your home may not be spotless and look like a showroom, nor does it need to be. Remember that true friends are coming to visit you, not to do a careful inspection of your house! The tidy and freshened up home is icing on the cake. It feels fabuloulsy gratifying as a place to hang your hat contentedly, without apology and share life with friends and family.
Editor's note: Photos are intended for your enjoyment, courtesy of Pinterest and Google.