Ding-dong! There’s a knock at the door… and your house isn’t very presentable. It’s not time to mourn. Follow these tips and you can clean and tidy your house in less than 10 minutes. And time begins… NOW!
“Hello, how are you? I’m in your neighborhood and I thought I’d stop by to see you. I’ll be at your house in ten minutes. Until now!” Who hasn’t received a call like this just on the day when your house is the most messy and dirty? As you hang up, you look around and start to remember everything you said you would do and never did because you found better (and much less productive) ways to pass the time. But, there is no time for regrets: you have 10 minutes to make your house look clean and tidy. And we emphasize the “seems” because, let’s face it, miracles do not exist and a thorough cleaning is unthinkable at this time. Follow the advice of YouTube tidy gurus Millennial Moms, Vasseur Beauty, and Love Meg, and above all, don’t panic.
BEFORE STARTING
The first thing to do is open the windows and light scented candles throughout the house so that any bad odors vanish. Once you have done this, take a bucket and put everything you need in it so you don’t waste time going and looking for products. Having a timer will help you keep in mind the time you have left and manage it better.
DELIMITS THE TERRITORY
Do not waste time in areas that you know your visitors will not step on. Focus on the living room, the bathroom and the kitchen, especially if you have an open one… Also don’t forget the entrance (the first impression is what counts).
THE BASKETS, YOUR GREAT ALLIES
The typical plastic baskets that are usually used in washing areas will be your most precious asset in these moments of panic. Take them and put in them everything that should not be visible: clothes, shoes, toys, magazines, those brochures that you said you would throw away and they are still on the sideboard… Once they are full, hide them in closets or in rooms that are not go see If you have a door that you can lock and open from the outside, lock it and reduce the risk of them turning the knob and finding themselves with a mountain of full baskets. Another alternative is to get opaque boxes with lids that can be stacked or hide everything in the folding sofa, in a trunk or in the storage space under the chaise longue of your sofa.
THE LIVING ROOM
Once you’ve got everything out of sight that shouldn’t be in sight, it’s time for an express clean. With a feather duster, remove the dust from the low furniture (that high shelf is not going to be seen, don’t waste your time) and focus on the darkest ones, since the white ones show less dust motes. The coffee table will be one of the surfaces that will attract the most attention from your visit, so you have to make sure that it is clean and in order. If you haven’t wasted many minutes, grab the vacuum and give it a quick sweep over the carpet (this is where you’ll be glad if you have one of those cordless upright vacuums). Finally, place the cushions and blankets you have on the sofa. All perfect? Let’s move on to the next room…
BATHROOM
Your visitors will be in this room alone and with the door closed, so it is essential that it is clean and tidy. YouTuber Millennial Mom cleans the sink by putting soap on her hands, running them through it, rinsing and towel drying. For the toilet, use wet wipes on the outside and the seat and rub the inside with the brush and a specific product.
THE KITCHEN
Why leave this room last? Because it is where you can entertain yourself the most when cleaning and noticing the time pressure that ends will make you act faster and more functionally. If you have a dishwasher, put all your dirty dishes in it. If not, choose to put them in a basket and hide them (great evils, great remedies). With the countertop clear, pass a damp cloth and dry it. Sort the cloths and, if you have time, sweep the floor (your visitors will focus more on the counter than on the floor, so it is better to prioritize the first one).
THE FINISHING TOUCH
Put on some music, take off whatever pajamas/tracksuit/promotional t-shirt you’re wearing, dress up in something a little more dressed up, and open the door with your best smile. !! Congratulations!! Mission accomplished.
