Whether you are hosting for the holidays or having friends stop over for a catch-up, receiving guests can pile on the pressure at home during this festive period.
That's why experts recommend having a robust pre-guest cleaning checklist to help clean and prep your space to hotel standard before they arrive.
Here, they share their top cleaning tips to prep for guests, no matter if they are stopping the night or popping in for a coffee, without sending you around the bend in the process.
Pre-guest cleaning checklist
Whether you have a full guest bedroom suite or are hosting guests without a guest room, these nine cleaning tips will make their stay enjoyable and save you from stress while they’re here.
1. Blitz your bathroom
Cleaning the bathrooms should be a top priority when you have overnight guests visiting you, begins Ronnie Kendrick, cleaning expert and founder of CompanyClean. This is especially important if there is only one shared bathroom that sees a lot of use.
He says, ‘One spot you definitely can't skip is the bathroom. A thorough wipe-down of all surfaces, including the sink, counter, and toilet, is crucial. Let's be real, after traveling, the bathroom is probably one of the first places your guest will visit. So, sparkling fixtures and a streak-free mirror make a big impression that says, "We care about cleanliness here."
‘About an hour before your guest arrives, give the guest room and bathroom a light spritz of a soothing natural scent like lavender or eucalyptus. Trust me, this adds an extra layer of coziness and shows you're attentive to the details.’
Double-check your stock of must-haves for a guest bathroom before they arrive, too, ensuring guests have access to towels, spare toilet paper, and even spare toiletries if they are staying longer than a night.
Don't forget to clean the dirtiest places in your bathroom.
Spritzing linens and towels with a soothing linen spray is a great way to top up your home fragrance for a satisfying finish before guests arrive
A fresh smelling cleaning spray will make a home smell nice while ensuring it is clean, all without the lingering chemical odor
Microfiber cloths are a must for household cleaning. They are washable, helping you save money on cleaning supplies and be more sustainable at home
2. Spritz up the sleep space
Whether or not you have a guest bedroom, the next most important spot to tackle is the space guests will be sleeping in – be it cleaning a bedroom, living room, or home office.
Mufetta Krueger, professional cleaner and founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants, suggests removing dust from all surfaces and furniture, including dressers, nightstands, and soft furnishings. Use a microfiber cloth or a suitable dusting tool to capture dust effectively, or even a good vacuum cleaner. ‘For stubborn spots, lightly dampen the cloth and wipe gently,’ she adds.
Muffetta continues, ‘A dust-free environment not only enhances the aesthetics of the guest room but also helps guests with allergies have a more pleasant stay,’ Muffetta explains. You might want to enlist the help of a good air purifier, such as the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier MAX, at Amazon, rated the best air purifier overall by H&G, too if you know your guest struggles with allergies.
It is not just the furniture that needs attending to, but the bedding itself, she adds. ‘Begin by changing and washing bedding and linens for the guest bedrooms. Use a high-quality laundry detergent and follow the manufacturer's instructions for each item. Be sure to dry them thoroughly and fold them neatly for a crisp appearance.’
Make sure to clean mattresses with a vacuum too if the space has not been used in a while, or take steps to clean and make an air mattress more comfortable if you are using temporary furnishings.
Detergent free from dyes and fragrances is a great choice for guest linens, as it prevents allergy flare ups and covers sensitive skin conditions
3. Declutter a closet or drawer to give guests storage space
There are several guest room storage mistakes that can make guests feel less welcome, and not offering them space to hang or store clothing is one of the major ones.
Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless Cleaning, recommends clearing out some space in a closet or drawer if your guests are staying for longer than one night, and giving the area a clean down with a scented antibacterial spray, such as Method's Lavender Multi-Purpose Spray, from Walmart, to ensure nothing comes out musty.
Remove the things you should never store in a guest bedroom to make the space more comfortable and, if you have time, curate a guest welcome box with treats to welcome them in.
Remove items from dressers and closets in guest spaces and stow them neatly in vacuum-sealed bags to offer your guests a space to hang their coats and garments easily and prevent creasing. You can then keep your bags in neat under-bed storage ideas
4. Don’t neglect shared areas
Although the guest-only spaces should be prioritized when you have people coming to stay, the common spaces such as your living room and kitchen need some attention too so your guests feel more able to relax in your company.
Michael Grotton, cleaning expert and founder of Germicidal Maids says, ‘In shared spaces like the living room, dining room, and kitchen, declutter and organize. Practice target hygiene and wipe down frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, tables, and doorknobs. Vacuum and mop the floors to create a clean and tidy atmosphere throughout the common areas.’
You don’t need to go over the top when cleaning a living room or cleaning a kitchen, but everything should look tidy on the surface (even if it means fake cleaning a house when guests are just around the corner) and be hygienic at the very least.
5. Free floors of dirt and grime
Our flooring is the most common culprit of bad odors around our home, and no one likes stepping out of bed in the morning to feel dust and debris sticking to their feet.
Tonya Harris, a cleaning professional at Slightly Greener, advises that you should always freshen up the floors after you have finished dusting and decluttering.
She says, 'For hard floors, vacuum and mop the right way, and to clean carpet without a machine, take out any odor by sprinkling a very thin layer of baking soda [such as Arm & Hammer Baking Soda from Walmart] on the carpet and vacuuming up 15-20 minutes later. The baking soda works to absorb any odor and will help keep the room smelling fresh.'
If you're short on time, investing in one of the best robot vacuums may be the most satisfying and impactful purchase you make this year.
Upgrade your floor cleaning by investing in a steam mop. This mop from Black & Decker has seven attachments, helping you to steam clean hard floors and carpets, upholstery and soft furnishings, and scrub grout for a sparkling home without chemicals
6. Take out the trash
It should go without saying that full trash cans need to be emptied before a guest shows up at your house, says Angela Rubin, cleaning professional at Hellamaid.
She suggests, ‘Emptying and disinfecting all trash bins in the guest room and bathroom – and the kitchen if it is on the fuller side. Replace liners as needed – you can find scented trash bin liners at Amazon to help keep smells at bay.
‘This simple task prevents unpleasant odors and ensures a clean and tidy space for guests. It's often the little things that make a big difference in their experience.’
If you have the time, consider finding some smart ways to hide a trash can in the kitchen to further mask trash can smells and keep your kitchen looking tidy.
7. Set out some fresh towels
Guests should always be offered some fresh towels when they arrive, just in case they haven't brought their own.
Cleaning expert Tonya Harris suggests, 'Have a couple of separate sets of guest-only bath and hand towels and washcloths on hand. This cuts down on the more frequent wear and tear and helps to keep them nicer for longer.' The White Company's Hydrocotton Towels are super soft and come in three sizes to create a full guest towel set that provides that luxury hotel feel.
Tonya adds, 'Always wash towels before placing them in the guest room to make sure they don’t have that musty closet smell on them. Do the same for the spare set of sheets and bedding for guests.'
There are several ways to make towels smell fresh, but washing towels with vinegar is one of the most effective. Skipping fabric softener and using white vinegar in the laundry instead helps to soften towels naturally while removing lingering odors. It's a quick double-win.
Adding a cup full of white vinegar to your detergent drawer and running a warm wash will instantly refresh your towels. Allow to air dry or dry in the tumble dryer with wool dryer balls to fluff them up for guests
8. Ensure your entryway is clear
One of the easiest ways to make an entryway inviting is to declutter and clean the space before guests arrive, says Angela Agranoff, professional organizer and owner of The Unclutter Angel. This not only gives space for guests to sit down and remove their shoes but sets a tidy precedent for the rest of your home – first impressions count.
Clear off some coat hooks, ensure seats are free from clutter, and make some room in a shoe closet or rack to allow guests to feel included in the space as opposed to shoved in haphazardly, Angela suggests.
Investing in some quality storage baskets, such as these woven storage baskets from Wayfair, allows you to hide essential clutter while keeping it easily accessible.
Learn more about things you should never store in an entryway for a headstart.
If you need some extra shoe and coat space in your entryway, a combined unit is a great option, especially if you don't want to drill into your walls
9. Clean light fittings for a finishing touch
Some of the dirtiest spots in your home are the most forgotten when it comes to cleaning – one of these is your light fittings, Karina Toner, cleaning expert reveals. ‘Cleaning your light fittings is a small detail with a huge impact. Clean light fixtures enhance the ambiance and ensure a well-lit space, while also adding that final touch that is bound to impress guests with how thorough you are.’
Make this task easier by using a lint roller, from Walmart, to quickly brush over fabric lampshades and collect dust without risking damaging them with cleaning sprays or harsh vacuum brushes.
10. Freshen the air
Getting rid of musty smells in the bedroom, or anywhere in your home, is a must before guests arrive. Open windows around your home for around 10 minutes before your guests arrive to clear out musty odors and stale air. Opening windows across the house from one another will create a cross breeze to instantly freshen up your home.
Should you open windows in winter? The answer is still yes. Letting fresh air in is vital even when preparing a guest room for Christmas. It will also help to improve air quality in your home without an air purifier.
Then, you can light the best candles to add a fun fragrance to the space.
If it is too cold to open windows or you don't want to let allergens in in summer, consider using an air purifier instead. This one has a HEPA filter which captures even the tiniest of microscopic particles from the air.
These candles are made from 100% soy wax, limiting the chemicals in your home's air to prevent irritating your guest's airways
If you have young guests coming to stay, or guests with pets, an oil diffuser is safer than having a lit candle and hot wax. Plus, you can let guests customize the scent with a supply of oils
It is important to remember that while it is good to make a guest bedroom look beautiful, Angela Agranoff, professional organizer concludes, ‘your home doesn’t need to be perfect. Creating a warm and inviting space where guests will feel welcome is key. If you start a few days before your guests arrive, you will be rested and not stressed, so that you can enjoy their visit too!’
