Whether you have unexpected company coming over in 20 minutes and you haven't cleaned in weeks or you simply cannot stand how dirty your house feels yet have little time and effort to clean, don't worry! In about 20 minutes you can make your house look and feel cleaner than it actually is. Doing these 6 things will give your guests the appearance of a clean house and also get you motivated and encouraged to truly clean when you have the time.
Let in the Light
Make it Smell Good
No matter how clean your house really is, if it smells clean it will feel clean! Plug-in air fresheners are wonderful because they constantly emit a good smell. Candles also work great - light some in several areas of your house before visitors come over (putting one in the bathroom is one of my favorite places!). Another trick is to spray some air freshener on the welcome mat so when visitors come in and wipe their feet they kick up a fresh smell!
Hide the Clutter
If you have just a few minutes before some unexpected guests come over, grab a laundry basket and quickly go through the house picking up random things that are not in their place. You may not have the time to put them in the correct spot but at least you can hide the basket in your closet and sort through it later! If you have more than a few minutes put stuff back in it's proper place. Picking things up off the floor and counter tops does wonders for helping your house appear cleaner. You'd be amazed at how it clears your mind to be able to focus better on other tasks too!
Clean the John
If you only have time to clean one room, clean the bathroom. A dirty bathroom can be really disgusting both to you and to any guests that come over. Also, the bathroom is often the only room that guests will be in by themselves and have the freedom to look around without seeming nosy. It only takes a few minutes to wipe the counter tops and swipe the toilet seat but doing those two things will make a big difference!
Ditch the Dirty Dishes
A stack of dirty dishes in or by the sink can make or break the kitchen. Quickly put them in the dishwasher or if you don't have one, put them in the dish drainer under the sink. In a pinch, you can put them in the oven too just don't forget to take them out before preheating it (this step is REALLY important!). If you are not pressed for time the best solution is to actually wash the dishes. =)
Make the Bed
I don't know why it is, but when you make the bed it instantly makes the room look and feel better! The bed is usually the biggest piece of furniture in your room and is where the eye is drawn to first. Keep it clean and made and it will help the rest of the room look good too!
How about you? What tips do you have for making your house seem cleaner than it really is? I'd love to hear!!
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