keeping it clean...

Simply Fated

I'm pretty sure this post can go here.... I thought it might go better on The nest, but when I clicked on there, it wanted me confirm info and when I went to do that, it gave me an error message. *insert pathetic sad face here*Anyway... hopefully this mini-rant and plea for advice can go here...My two best friends are coming to dinner Friday night and my aunt and uncle are coming to stay Saturday-Sunday.Between work and other commitments, I have little time to turn this disaster area from looking like a category 4 tornado hit it into a livable home. My best friends I'm not so worried about, I mean, they ARE my best friends for a reason... same with my uncle, who I am very close with. My aunt is a bit more critical... and I guess I want to impress. I know I shouldnt' worry about what anyone thinks, but I worry she won't let my uncle come visit as much if she's not satisified. My mother trained me well when it comes to being a good hostess, and Ann Landers and Miss Manners took care of the rest, not to mention my Modern Girls Guide to Life book, lol... but time is an issue with this one. I want them, my friends and family, to want to come back and spend time here, not hide in fright if I so much as suggest it.What are some things I should focus on? Like, what are deal breakers that would keep you from visiting someone's home? I mean, I'm not gross or anything, lol... I don't even have sour milk in my fridge... just a lot of clutter, some dust bunnies that have begun calling me by name, and floors that need some serious scrubbing. It doesn't help that my father lives here and it's very difficult to keep anything clean for more than an hour with him around, especially the kitchen and bathroomI know I'm worrying for nothing... I mean, these people do love me and I'm sure a few dust bunnies wouldn't scare them off forever, but I just want to make sure they want to keep coming back to visit. Any tips? Advice? Advil? Cookies?

Stackeye210

Clean common rooms (LIving room, Kitchen and bathroom) - declutter as much as possible.  Also if your aunt and uncle are staying with you spend a lot of your attention on the room they will be using as their "retreat".  You want them to be comfortable so make their sleeping arrangements nice. 

vmorgs

I have the same problems when my relatives visit. I just focus on the main rooms they are going to be in- usually the kitchen, dining room, bathroom and living room. Clean up anything that looks gross, try to organize the clutter. For example, if you've got lots of magazines lying around- stack them. And when all else fails, do what I do and blame it on the dog!!

cbjk

I would definitely make sure the bathroom and the kitchen are clean. Those would be my two biggest things...people don't want to eat out of a really dirty kitchen (they are worried what might be in the food, if the kitchen looks bad) and the bathroom. Nothing is more disgusting than a gross bathroom. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry! I'm sure they will understand you have been crazy busy and haven't had time...I have a FMIL just like that..super clean freak..She goes nuts when she comes to my house, because it's not spotless, I have clutter and I have dust bunnies..but it's my house and that's how I like it..and nobody else complains!

dsouldiva

1) Scoop all the clutter up and put it in one room, close the door.  Do not allow guests in that room2) Vacuum 3) Polish surfaces4) Light fragranced candlealternatively pay someone to do all the above!

Asheia

Get a laundry basket and go through the main rooms and put all the clutter in the basket and hide it away. Do a quick dusting and then run your vacuum. Instead of lighting candles, boil some water and add whole cinnamon sticks in the water. It is a familiar scent associated with autumn and the fragrance lasts longer than lighting a candle. Best of luck!

bingham101

Bathrooms and smells are deal breakers for me... just being honest. I agree take all the clutter you can and hid it. clean off the kitchen table.

ffmaid

Focus on the room they will stay in and the bathroom they will use. The rest is 2nd priority. Lay out on the bed they will stay in nice matched set of towels for each and make sure there is new bar or soap in the bathroom. After that is all great then and only then worry about the rest of teh house 2nd priority living room and kitchen last priority any room they will not enter

AnneAndJJ

Vacuum and/or Swiffer the house. If there are any obviously stains on the floor, try and clean them, but don't spend a ton of time on it. Dust the main room, the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and your guests bedroom. Make sure that the guest room is as clutter-free as possible, as it will be their space. Try and stash as much other clutter away, or at least organize it. For me, it's all about the floors though. I hate walking around in someone's home and getting crap all over my feet.

Simply Fated

thank you guys for your replies so far! I really appreciate the feedback.Just so we're sure, I'm not a slob or anything... things just got hectic and it looks like a bomb got set off in my house... which would actually be understandable if I lived in a warzone. But since I live in a fairly peaceful suburb, there is no real excuse other than just being busy.

Asheia

I think we all completely understand. Don't worry about that!