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Prepping Your Home for Guests

Between holidays, parties and day-to-day life, your home sees a lot of traffic in the busy winter months. Stress about preparing for overnight or long-term visitors can take some of the joy out of the season if you wait until the last minute. Rather than compounding your stress with procrastination, consider mapping out a simple plan. Avoid the last-minute clean-a-thon this year by preparing for your guests in stages.

In the weeks leading up to hosting guests:

  • Make sure your appliance maintenance is up to date and schedule necessary repairs or installations.

  • Confirm your outdoor lights are working.

  • Hire a professional to give your HVAC system a thorough inspection.

  • Declutter high-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room and bathrooms. Wipe down all baseboards.

  • Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures inside and outside.

  • Clean out and reorganize your fridge.

  • If you have washable shower curtains or drapes, wash and rehang.

As the weeks turn to days before your guests arrive:

  • Vacuum and dust the rooms where guests will be sleeping.

  • Wipe down chairs and tables.

  • Scrub floors, clean trash cans, and sanitize door knobs and light switches.

  • Wash and fluff guest towels, and put out fresh toiletries.

  • Deep clean the bathroom your guests will be using and, if possible, close it off until their arrival.

  • Launder bedding and make the beds.

Right before your guests arrive:

  • Wipe away pet hair, dust furniture and vacuum carpets.

  • Spruce up your entryway by sweeping the front porch, steps and walkways.

  • Plug in nightlights for the guest areas and add a welcoming aroma with a scented candle or essential oil diffuser.

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