Friday, March 13, 2009

Company Clean



Company’s coming!

Are you hiding inside your house, trying to keep the kids quiet and ignore the ringing doorbell? Are you scared to answer the door, because your house is not nearly company clean?

There are ways to keep your home always ready for company. Company clean may not be spotless, and immaculate, but it’s not going to be shameful to let the neighbors in for a cup of coffee either!

Follow these tips and you’ll always be ready for that knock on the door or the surprise visit from your mother in law!!

In the kitchen:

  • Always clean up spills and drips as soon as they happen.
  • Take ten minutes after each meal to load the dishwasher and wipe the counters, stove, microwave and sink. Never leave dishes in your sink. Would you rather spend ten minutes cleaning the kitchen after a meal, or thirty minutes or more after three meals? Do a quick sweep up after each meal too.
  • Unload the dishwasher before bed or first thing in the morning. That way you won’t have to stack the breakfast dishes, or unload it before dinner.
  • If the dishwasher isn’t completely full, add the microwave tray, a centerpiece bowl, or anything that is dishwasher safe and needs cleaning. Also toss in your sponge to sanitize it.
  • Store your small appliances you don’t use everyday so they don’t get dirty, and it will be easier to clean your counters. It also looks cleaner when it’s less cluttered.
  • Purge the fridge before you shop. Wipe down shelves and bins before you fill it up again.

The Living Areas:

  • Baskets are perfect to keep things tidy and organized. Keep your mail in a basket till you sort through it.
  • Your keys, cell phone, and loose change can go on a small pretty tray or in a bowl near the door.
  • Keep a shoe rack near the door to keep from tripping over strewn shoes, and your entry way from looking like shoe city!
  • Once a week shake out the mats and entryway rugs to keep dirt from being tracked into the house. Make your house a shoe free zone!
  • Keep microfiber cloths handy and swipe away dust the second you see it. It’s easier to remove if you don’t let it build up.
  • Always do a nightly walk through of the house. Put away items that were left out, fold the throws and fluff the pillows, and straighten the magazines and books on the coffee table.
  • At the end of the day have the kids put their toys or other stuff away. Toss the dogs toys into a basket too.

4 comments:

  1. Loving this idea Dawn! Your articles are always helpful and I look forward to getting to read more!!

    Michelle

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  2. Ok, I need your help Dawn. The kids are going out of town next week for spring break with the Grandparents. The perfect time for my spring cleaning! But I have a problem. We moved into this house 6 months ago and I still have about 52 million boxes in the garage that haven't been unpacked. And I'm out of storage space/cabinets in the house. I know you're going to say get rid of stuff, but I'm sentimental. And we're not going to rent a storage place just for this stuff. What do I do?

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  3. See, your learning..you already know I'm going to say get rid of it!! Since you have only moved in 6 months ago, your actual spring cleaning should be pretty easy. As far as the boxes go..do you REALLY NEED everything, or just WANT everything. If its been in boxes for 6 months I have to say you don't neeeeeed it, and really how much do you love it if its been boxed up for 6 months? You've lived without it this long...sooo I would say have a garage sale, make some cash and go buy some great new stuff for your new home!! Also check out The Container Store for great organizational items. Even when you think you don't have a lot of space, you would be surprised how much you actually do have depending on how you store it/organize it!!

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  4. Very helpful hints for cleaning. Now, I just need a print version to post on my refrigerator. Oh wait, I don't have room until I clean the front.

    I started spring cleaning last weekend, washing walls and starting to declutter. I finished the upstairs hallways. This past weekend, I worked on the kitchen (the small appliance tip is so right on). I have 1/2 left to do.

    Then onto the hallway, windows and bathrooms. I'm achey thinking about it.

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