The De-Cluttering Diva

Cleaning Quickly – The No-Stress Guide

August 1, 2008 at 1:49 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

You’ve just hung up the phone.  The person on the other end says they’re coming over.  They’re going to be at your house in an hour. 

 

What do you do?

 

Front space

This space is very important.  It sets the tone as the person comes into your house.

 

Grab a box and pick up everything that’s not supposed to be there or looks like clutter.  Don’t sort through it now.  Just grab and go.  Stash it somewhere. Sweep up.

 

Kitchen

Empty the dishwasher if you have one and stash dirty dishes in there (and I will admit right here and now that, when I have not had a dishwasher, I have been known to stash dishes in the oven. Just don’t leave them there. I’m just sayin’.).

 

Sweep the floor. Keep the lights low.

 

If you’ve got Pillsbury cookies in the freezer pop them in the oven.  The cookies make the house smell nice and you’ve got something to serve.

 

Bathroom

 

Inevitably someone is gonna need to go.  Close the shower curtain.  Take window cleaner and paper towel or some of those pre-moistened cloths and give the fixtures a quick wipe. 

 

Empty the garbage (alternatively, instead of emptying the garbage I will often take a plastic bag and spread it out over the top of the garbage so you can’t see what’s under the bag).

 

Entertaining area (usually living room/dining room)

 

Pick up clutter in a box (same procedure as front hall). 

Give surfaces a quick wipe.  Spray room freshener and/or light a scented candle.

 

All other rooms – close the door!

 

Happy entertaining!