We all have people in our lives that we don’t mind seeing our home in a post-toddler-hurricane state. But, there are times when someone outside our comfort zone arranges a last minute visit. Most recently at our house, it was the mom of my daughter’s new friend from school and we wanted to make a nice first impression.
As long as we are all dressed and the kids don’t start fighting, I can get this list done in fifteen minutes!
- My biggest priority whenever the doorbell rings is to make sure there is no poop in the potty or toilet. Next, I give both a quick wipe down.
- I get any dishes sitting in the sink or on the kitchen table into the dishwasher. If the dishwasher is full, I at least stack them neatly so I can clean any food scraps out of the sink.
- Cleaning up toys, clothes, and books off the floor usually takes the longest. Its easier if you do a quick clean up every night and if all belongs have a home to return to. I can put my kids to work by asking them to clean up a specific type of toy, like all the toy dishes or cars. Worst case scenario: Grab a laundry basket, throw everything in it, and then hide it behind a closed door!
- Straighten the entry way by putting shoes, coats, hats, and bags in order.
- Sweep the kitchen and living room floor. We have a sweeper like the ones you see in restaurants and movie theaters. It quickly picks up crumbs and pet hair on both carpet and hard wood floors.
- Wipe down counters in kitchen and bathroom.
- Empty the kitchen trash if its full.
- Straighten kids’ rooms. Again, I look for major messes and make sure to pick clothes up off the floor. This is another place kids can help.
- Organize any clutter on the kitchen table, and wipe it down.
- Do any baby or child proofing. Most people who come to my house bring children, so I try to make adjustments before they arrive. I close doors to rooms I don’t want them to enter, move the cat food, and lock away messy toys like markers, Play-doh, or puzzles with lots of pieces.
