Cleaning Check List

Today is Q family cleaning day because 1. The house needs it and 2. My parents are coming over for dinner! Whether your house guests come for a few hours or a few days, cleaning your house is part of the deal. I came across this cleaning checklist while doing some research and I thought it might be helpful when you are hosting guests:

source: entertaining.about.com
List submitted by Holly Freeman

Throughout the whole house:

• Vacuum.
• Dust (furniture, televisions, mirrors, lamps).
• Mop.
• Remove dust bunnies and cobwebs.
• Replace burnt-out light bulbs.
• Empty garbage cans.

In the kitchen:

• Throw away expired food in the refrigerator and wipe down its interior walls.
• Clean the stove (don't worry about the oven if you don't have time).
• Clean the sink.
• Wipe off food splatters on walls, cabinets, and appliances.

The bathroom the guests will be using:

• Clean the toilet.
• Clean the sink.
• Clean the mirrors.
• Clean the tub and shower.
• Clean the shower curtain.
• Provide clean towels.
• Remove personal items from towel racks, hooks, and cabinets.

Other bathrooms/powder room:

• Clean toilet.
• Clean sink.
• Clean mirrors.
• Hide those items you always leave out (e.g., toothpaste, razor, wash cloth).

The room that your guest is staying in (the one room they can really scrutinize while you're sleeping):

• Clean out closet (make room for your guest's clothes).
• Clean under the bed.
• Clean window sills/windows.
• Clean out a dresser drawer for guest's clothes.
• Remove private items (e.g., love letters, diary, leopard skin underwear).
• Put fresh sheets on the bed.
• Wash the bedspread.
• Wash the curtains (if they're really dirty).

Hosting House Guests

Hosting house guests can be fun if you take pleasure in preparing for them. Think of this as your opportunity to create an environment where your guests will feel comfortable, cozy and engaged.

Make an effort to spruce up the area where your friends or family will be staying. Dress the bed with fresh, clean linens and maybe top off the dresser with a vase of fresh flowers. Particularly if you know your guest has a favorite bloom.

Find out ahead of time if your guests have any food allergies or strong aversions to certain foods and try to accommodate them while they're staying with you. You wouldn't want to make a hug mexican meal, only to find our your guests hate mexican food (having a hard time imagining such a thing-haha ;).

Remember that once your guests arrive, its time to relax and enjoy their company!

When You are the Houseguest

When you are the guest it's important to be both courteous and respectful. Your friends or family have invited you into their home and you always want to be as gracious as possible. Here are some great tips of what to do and what not to do:

• Arrive on time on the agreed upon date. Don't arrive early, in case your host or hostess is still ready-ing his or her home and don't be late in case there are plans arranged around your time of arrival.
• Do not bring pets or extra unexpected guests. This takes advantage of your host or hostess' hospitality.
• Make your bed and straighten your room before you leave to go home. I personally, would do this each morning as well, but no exceptions when it comes to "checking out"
• Do offer to help with meals or other household things while you are there.
• ALWAYS write a thank you note and send it once you've arrived home. For a tip on being prepared for this see this post
  

House guests

Although visitors are welcome and enjoyed all year round, it's likely that most us have the most house guests during the holidays. And with those specials occasions coming up sooner rather than later, I thought this week would be a great time to discuss house guest etiquette. Everyone says fish and guests are the same: they start to smell after three days. This does not have to be the case if both the guest and the host or hostess minds their ps and qs. We'll go over tips for the guest, the host, and how to get your home guest ready. So take some notes this week and get mentally prepared for a house full of guests this holiday season!