As I prepare to take some time off to spend Christmas with my family and also be ready for the biggest decluttering week of the year, I thought I’d share some of the most frantically searched posts and podcasts on the blog at this time of year.
They’re all about . . . guests.
Because if there’s anything that strikes panic in the heart of someone who struggles with everyday mess, it’s the thought of people seeing that mess.
Need to Wrap Your Brain Around What to Do?
Here are some blog posts that will give you a game plan for being ready for guests. Some are for specific areas and some are for Whole House Overhauls.
How to Clean a Messy House . . . and Get It Ready for Guests! (with a Printable Checklist)
One Hour Until the Doorbell Rings?? Here’s a plan!
Detailed Kitchen Cleaning Checklist
Want to listen while you work?
Here are some podcasts:
How to Clean a Messy House Podcasts – Part One and Part Two
2 Week Plan for Getting Ready for Guests (Podcast) – Part One and Part Two
Need a Detailed Guide?
14 Days to Opening Your Front Door to Guests is available as an e-book and is a detailed, day by day plan to be ready to open your front door. It is created to be adjustable for whatever amount of time you have available and whatever your mess level.
I think one of the worst things about all the cleaning we do for guests is that shortly after they arrive, the house gets even messier than it normally would. I’ve had to learn over the years to just clean the sheets and let them all know that I’m not a complete slob, but also not the most clean person on the planet!! Haha. The time together is what’s important, right?? *eye twitch*
Hi,
I found you 11 days ago. Today my sister came over and it was the first time EVER that I didn’t frantically cleaned and organized my home at least two days ahead (and it still wasn’t how it “should” be). But because I declutter every day a bit (visibility rule!) today was different. Sure, I moped the floor, but would have done it anyway. My hubby even mopped the floor in spaces that … well… hadn’t been cleaned in months because of the clutter. But otherwise I was totally relaxed. And my sister told me that’s she’s totally impressed. Yes, she knows I am struggling.
And yes, I do my dishes religiously in the evening.
Thanks for giving me hope and directions!
I just went through Decluttering at The Speed of Life and I have never seen an answer to my decluttering problem. In answer to the question “if I were looking for this where would I look?”. What if, where you decided you would look, there was another area that needed serious decluttering? Would you just leave the first area alone (where it could possibly get “de-cluttered”) until you could de-clutter the second area? When I moved into my home things were just left everywhere and I have craft supplies mixed with staples mixed with cleaning products, I kid you not.