September 12, 2007 | Cleaning tips

What do you do when your house is a wreck and you only have a small amount of time to clean up? Prioritize! Here’s what I do, starting at the top (the most important things) and moving down the list until I run out of time:

1. Clean up clutter - baskets are great for this. Toss things in baskets and put them out of sight. You can go through the baskets after your guests leave to actually clean and organize.
2. Toilets - make sure they’re shiny.
3. Sweep any sweepable floors
4. Vacuum carpets and rugs
5. Dust
6. Pick some flowers from your garden if you have any and put them in a vase.
7. Use lemon - spray some around the kitchen and bathroom counters and sinks. You don’t want your home to smell like harsh cleaning chemicals, but the faint scent of lemon as your guests enter gives the illusion of clean (even if you know you only did surface cleaning!)
8. Mop if you have time. Another great opportunity for lemon juice! You can make this easier by using a Swiffer (only minus their chemical spray - use your own diluted lemon juice spray instead).

The list may not get you awarded with the cleanest home on the block award, but your guests won’t notice if your blinds are dusty or there are smudges on your baseboards. This gives you a nice surface clean with a few tricks that’ll keep their attention off your baseboards.

Of course the best way is to maintain your home - either yourself with a method like Fly Lady’s, or by calling in help from an all-natural maid service (like, need I say? Broom Huggers!).

That’s what works for me. For more tips head over to Rocks in My Dryer.

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1. SAHMmy Says says:

   
   

   Thanks for the lemon tip! I equate citrus smell with “clean” as well!

   September 12th, 2007 at 11:27 am

2. Lady Why says:

   
   

   I need to remember this. I tend to look at the mess and stand there like a deer in the headlights not knowing what to do first!

   September 12th, 2007 at 12:54 pm

3. Sasha says:

   
   

   I’m like Lady Why. I walk circles for too long staring at things trying to figure out where to start.

   This is a great list!

   Thanks!

   September 13th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

4. Laura Paczewitz says:

   
   

   Kathy -

   How about vinegar on wood floors? You could use that with your swiffer as well!

   BTW, I just passed you name along to someone in my neigborhood.

   Laura

   October 2nd, 2007 at 9:24 am

5. Floroskop says:

   
   

   Hello!
   I think this try.

   March 19th, 2008 at 10:32 am

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