There’s a lack of time that people seem to have nowadays when it comes to balancing everything that’s required in day-to-day life.
With busy schedules and understanding the importance of having time to spend on oneself, the last thing you want is to try to keep your home, guest-ready.
However, it’s a part of adulthood and something that needs to be kept on top of when you’re expecting people to stay for dinner or sleep over.
Despite this, you don’t need to waste your weekends cleaning to get your home in shape. Sometimes, maintaining a baseline of cleanliness is the best way forward and can be achieved with just a few steps.
Daily habits – the fifteen-minute reset
Start with daily habits. These are the things you can do every day, in short bursts. Small and consistent actions will help prevent messes from piling up and into the weekend-devouring chores.
Don’t put your items down; instead, just put them away. If you pick up the mail, file it away, or chuck it immediately. This is the ‘one-touch’ rule, meaning you follow through with the action you’ve started to create less mess and clutter.
Always clean as you cook, wiping down counters and putting away ingredients while your dinner is simmering away. You may also find it helpful to load up the dishwasher immediately after eating so that your sink area in general stays nice and clear.
A fifteen-minute reset is something that most people can afford when it comes to cleaning their home. Set a timer and do everything you can do in one room or over the house in just fifteen minutes.
A cleaning company can be handy to rely on when you’re struggling to keep up with the cleaning, even when it comes to those ten or fifteen-minute bursts. Sometimes we just need a helping hand when things get too busy.
High-impact cleaning areas for brief tidy-up opportunities
When you’re expecting company – or unexpected company, it’s good to just focus on the areas in which guests are going to see and be in. That creates the illusion of a clean house, even when it might not always be.
Clear the entryway
Put away any shoes and coats. Having a tidy entry way, it sets a positive first impression when your guests walk through the door.
Clean the bathroom
The bathroom is often a place that guests will use regardless of how long they’re sticking around, so it’s a room that takes priority. Give the toilet a clean, wipe down any mirrors or glass, and put out fresh hand towels.
Surface sweep
A surface sweep can be enough to make everything look tidy and give that just-cleaned appearance.
Hide the clutter
Even if it’s temporarily packed away in drawers, hide the clutter anywhere where you know guests won’t go.
By following this approach to your cleaning, you’ll find that your home becomes a more comfortable and cleaner space more often. You’ll also find that your weekends remain free as a result.