Click to call
Guests and holidays go together like candy canes and Christmas. In the above video, Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock Executive Vice President Michael Silva-Nash appears on KTH-TV-Little Rock to share ideas for how to quickly get your home ready when family members, friends, or neighbors drop by on short notice.
The arrival of unexpected guests is one thing, but what about preparing for planned guests? Don’t worry; we have a checklist to help you get your home decluttered and looking clean, so you can create a comfortable, inviting environment for all your guests. Here are Molly Maid’s favorite tips for how to prepare for holiday guests, planned, unplanned, overnight, or extended stay, and how to accomplish it without stressing out yourself and your family.
5 Ways To Prepare Your House for Holiday Guests
1. Don’t Procrastinate: The holidays have a funny way of sneaking up on you, so it’s a good idea to put together a schedule for what needs to be done and in which order. If you get your gift shopping done in advance and declutter your rooms well ahead of schedule, you should have plenty of time to do a deep dive into cleaning and disinfecting well before your holiday guests arrive.
2. Declutter Your Home for the Holidays: Clean out the fridge and freezer before the guests arrive so you can make room for all of the delicious treats you will be storing for the holiday.
In walking around your home, if there are trinkets and past treasures that you haven’t used or appreciated in a year or more, donate them. Pick up any random items that have been sitting in the corner of a room for months and go through any magazines that may be cluttering your dining room table. Find a new home for the items in your house that have been homeless.
3. Focus on High Traffic Areas: The first thing your guests will see when they enter your home for the holidays is your entryway, so make sure it looks sparkling clean when your holiday guests arrive. Instead of having shoes and coats scattered about, neatly put them in a hall closet or the garage. While you are at it, be sure to make room for your guest’s coats and shoes.
4. Go Deeper: During the holidays, vacuuming carpets and cleaning floors is a given, but if you want to ‘wow’ your guests with your holiday prep, implement the zig-zag cleaning pattern for carpeted areas. Not only does it look nice, but it actually cleans your carpet more thoroughly.
When cleaning the kitchen, don’t forget to wipe down your cabinets and get behind appliances like the toaster oven and blender. In addition, make sure baseboards are cleaned since they can get very dirty, and it’s one area that is easy to ignore. And don’t forget to clear any cobwebs in the corners or on the ceiling. Use a broom with a cloth attached to clean those hard-to-reach areas. Finally, ceiling fan blades and lights are other areas that often get ignored during regular cleaning, so give them a good once over too. When you’re done with the kitchen, focus on preparing your guest bathroom. Make sure to clean the tile and countertops, and ensure it’s well-stocked with extra toilet tissue and towels (a scented candle is also a nice touch).
5. Check the Logistics: For many parts of the country, the holidays tend to be a cold time of year.The last thing you want is to turn on your heater when guests arrive, only to discover an unpleasant odor. If you have yet to use your heating system this year, it might be beneficial to have a local HVAC company check it out before your guests arrive. A professional can check your air vents, fan blades and blower, and clean your system to ensure everything is working properly before you turn on the heat this holiday season.
Also, check the water pressure of your showerheads and faucets to make sure they are clean and delivering good pressure. You can do this by purchasing a water pressure gauge from your local hardware store. A good water pressure is between 40 and 60 psi.
Prepare Your Home for Overnight Guests
Hosting overnight guests can be so much fun but stressful as well. Making sure your home is ready before any guests arrive will minimize the stress and make them feel comfortable staying with you.
- Declutter: Many guest rooms double as extra storage areas, which means you have a lot of decluttering to do before guests arrive. Transfer all the things you’re storing in your guest room into other closets, the garage or attic.
- Clean: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, call the cleaning pros at your local Molly Maid for help. If you’re determined to try to do it all yourself, tackle your guest room(s) one section at a time. Start by making sure the bedsheets are laundered, the furniture dusted, the television works, and the room has been cleaned and vacuumed. Extra points for cleaning the window tracks and baseboards!
- Unpacking: Make sure you have a space for your guests to unpack their clothing. If you have a closet, making sure there are enough hangers will make them feel welcome. As will creating space in a dresser for your guests to store their clothing and other items. If you have a luggage rack, make it accessible and convenient for guests to use.
- Guest bath: As mentioned, make sure your guest bathroom is clean and ready with fresh towels and extra toiletries. Adding a night light so guests can easily find their way in the middle of the night is thoughtful and practical.
If you live in an area with wintery weather, ensure entryways are clear of ice and snow to avoid accidents. Use a shovel or snowblower to clear heavy snow from pathways, then sprinkle sand or a de-icing substance to address any slippery areas.
What is the Fastest Way to Clean for an Unexpected Guest?
Get all hands on deck! Gather the whole family in the kitchen and hand out cleaning/decluttering assignments. Focus on high-traffic and visible areas first. Everyone can grab a box and a trash bag to tackle their assigned room and begin the decluttering process.
Prioritize cleaning by starting with the first room guests will see. Dust and wipe down surfaces and vacuum or mop the floor. Make sure the bathrooms are clean and well-stocked; a dirty bathroom is a real downer for guests.
Why Choose Molly Maid Cleaning Services this Holiday Season?
When it comes to cleaning, trusted and reliable professionals at your local Molly Maid can make your home shine for holiday houseguests and sparkle with our after-holiday cleaning. Let us put together a cleaning plan that meets both your needs and your schedule. Whether you need weekly, occasional, or special event cleaning leading up to the holiday season, Molly Maid can make it happen. We work in many locations around the country and we’re here to help you get it all done right. Take the stress out of preparing for the holiday and check clearing off your holiday to-do list. Call us or request an estimate online today.
