Speed Cleaning 101

Sometimes out-of-town guests will surprise you with a phone call to say they’re “in the neighborhood” and would like to stop by and say “Hello”. Other times, you know guests are coming but are just crunched for time and need to get your home presentable before they arrive. Here are some suggestions to follow when you need to tidy up in a hurry!

*Gather your cleaning supplies.

*Straighten up the entryway
Make a great first impression
Shake out doormats at the front door and any runners in the foyer. Sweep the bare floor and get rid of cobwebs in the corners.
Spot-clean dirt on the baseboards with a damp cloth.
Wipe down any glass on or around the door with a glass cleaner, as well as the doorknobs.

*Make your kitchen sparkle
Clean only obvious spots
Touch up surfaces and countertops with a paper towel and cleanser or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes. Clean the refrigerator handle and any dirty drawer pulls.
A coffee filter makes a great fingerprint remover. Use one to clean up any glass surfaces.
Spot-mop the floor with a spray cleanser and a scrub-back sponge. Get grimy spots under kitchen chairs by tipping them against the kitchen table.
Put a clean tablecloth on.

*Freshen up your bathroom
Tidy up and hide clutter behind doors, in drawers or in another room
Close the shower curtain or door so you can skip cleaning the shower, tub, or wall tiles.
Use Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to wipe down the toilet seat, cover and the bowl’s base, as well as the sink.
Dissolve soap scum buildup on glass shower doors with lemon-scented furniture polish. This leaves streak-free doors as well as a clean, citrusy smell.
Use a dry cloth to buff chrome hardware.

*Focus on the family room
Get rid of clutter
Adjust sofa and arm chair cushions. Fluff pillows. Fold throws or blankets and hang them over the back of your couch or chair.
Use a lint brush or roller to pick up pet hair from your upholstered furniture.
Stash your remote controls in a drawer or TV cabinet.
Straighten up your coffee table. Get rid of any crumpled magazines.

*Work magic in the bedroom
Work clockwise around the room and get to tidying.
Vacuum around the bed.
Put any bedside clutter in a ceramic or painted dish. Neatly stack books or magazines and place the smaller ones on the top.
Grab unfolded laundry and put it all in a fresh pillowcase, stash in the closet, and toss dirty items in the hamper.
Dust visible surfaces using disposable electrostatic wipes.