We’ve all been there: company is set to arrive in under an hour and you didn’t allot enough time for straightening up the house. Instead, you find yourself frantically shoving envelopes in your overflowing junk drawer while picking up coats that are strewn around your entryway.
Although this stressful situation is one many of us are familiar with, it shouldn’t cast a dark shadow on your holiday entertaining plans.
We turned to expert organizer Barbara Reich, who offered up seven tips for making cleaning so much more manageable. By enforcing these daily habits and getting everyone in your household involved you’re bound to enjoy quality time with your company when you aren’t stressed before their arrival over the condition of your home.
The secret to entertaining is simple: just make sure your house is always company-ready.
Barbara’s Tips:
1. Formulate a Plan and Set Reasonable Goals
Decide which areas of your home need to be cleaned allocate time to get it done. Allow time for distractions, so you won’t get discouraged if the job doesn’t get finished as quickly as you hoped. Make sure your intentions are reasonable plan of attack that has at least a 98% chance of being accomplished!
2. Have Cleaning and Organizing Supplies on Hand
There is nothing more frustrating than starting an organizing project only to find that you’re out of supplies. Be prepared!
3. Involve Your Family
Cleaning isn’t just your job. Divide the list by family member, so that everyone is accountable for something. Even young children can be responsible for small jobs. For example, school age children can sort through gloves at the end of the season and discard any that don’t fit or are missing a mate.
4. Tackle One Area At A Time
It’s more efficient and sanity-saving to work on one area at a time. Focus on a specific coat closet and complete that project before moving onto the next one. You’ll have more of a sense of accomplishment if one area is completely organizing than if many areas are only partly finished.
6. Tote Your Cleaning Supplies with You
For more efficient cleaning, fill a bucket with basics that need to be toted from room to room: all-purpose and glass-cleaning sprays, a sponge, a toothbrush, a a scrub brush, and rags.
7. Group Like Things Together and Contain Loose Items
Group like things together such as batteries and chargers. Store loose items in a labeled container that can be stacked in a closet or on a shelf.
