WWYD?

MyBrownEyedBoy wrote: I have a question/crisis. My in-laws and Aaron's grandparents are coming from Indiana for Easter. None of them are staying at our house, but they will be having dinner here Sunday and will be spending a bit of time here as well. Here comes the crisis part.
I am working through Wednesday. 7 days in a row of 10 hour shifts. I am usually toast on my first day off. And the inlaws arrive Thursday early evening. I have a limited amount of time to clean up and after work I am usually beat. So here's the question....
What do you consider "must do" cleaning for visitors who won't be sleeping at your home? Vaccuum? Dust? Bathrooms? Showers? Kitchen floor? I will probably only have 4-5 hours. And I absolutely have to clean up the guinea pig and ferret cages.
If only they were giving me just one full day before they arrived, but there it is. I need opinions and I need them pretty fast. I need to organize and schedule my cleaning day.

ashtonsmama replied: Okay, that sounds horrible, first off...can they NOT come over that day and give you a day to regroup and rest and clean?!?

Ok-sorry, I just looked down there and re-read what you wrote, so they're coming for dinner on Sunday huh?

I would say all you "need" to do is just a touch up in the bathroom, just make it look as good as you can (sink clean, etc.) and don't worry about floors that aren't obvious, just the rooms that they'll mostly be in, like dining room, living room, etc. and vacuum/sweep those. KWIM?

Good luck! Sounds like a crazy Easter!

Brias3 replied: I do a bathroom clean, quick dust and vacuum job when I'm short on time and will have people in the house. I also try and put away the "clutter". Sometimes, I feel like no clutter out and the vacuum lines evident on the carpet will give the aura of a clean place

Good luck!

My3LilMonkeys replied: Clean bathroom guests will be using, remove clutter. Clean any mirrors (for some reason to me clean mirror = clean room) and sweep/spot mop the floor. Vacuum carpets, put on your best smile and you're done!

No matter what you do I'm sure they'll have fun!

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I hope so, both the women have been home engineers never WOHMs so I really feel like I need to "prove" that I can do both. KWIM? At least Aaron's GPs have never met Logan so they should be more occupied with him than with anything in my house. At least I hope so.

mckayleesmom replied: Throw everything under the beds and into a closet.....Vaccume, dust a little, put out some smelly potpouri....

ALso....up until the day they arive...before your day off...dedicate 1 hour to a chore...so on your day off you don't have much to do.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Oh, ugh. One hour? Do I have to? I'm whooped just thinking about that. But it is a good idea. I guess I can try that one. I think I just need to keep up with the clutter for the most part for the next few days.

holley79 replied: I would not kill myself. I have gotten so lax that I am like, "Whatever". If you don't think it's clean enough clean it yourself.

I do, however, try to get the downstairs bathroom cleaned and vacuum and sweep. Best of luck to you.

kit_kats_mom replied: Ummmm. I'd call merry maids or something.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied:
I think I like this idea best of all. I have already vaccuumed the downstairs den and the bathrooms were just done so I'll only have to do a quick wipe down on them. I just hate cleaning.

luvmykids replied: I didn't read all the replies so sorry if I'm repeating, I do this, in this order: kitchen, bathrooms, vacuum. After that if I have more time I dust. I focus on the parts that really need to be clean and then the things that make it "seem" clean, make sure the laundry isn't in sight, put toys and other crap in baskets, etc.

Good luck!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
When I'm in a hurry or no mood to clean, I just wipe everything down with those Clorox santizer wipes. It at least gets the film and dust up for the day. Same goes with my floors...just use a swifter and you're done! I always vacuum too, but I don't think you have to do much else. Good luck!

MM'sMama replied: Bathrooms
bedrooms (if they will go in there)
living room
kitchen
mirrors
toilets
vaccum and wipe things down. I LOVE clorox orange wipes makes it smell great too.

CAMSMOM1 replied: Counter tops are important, if they are un-cluttered, and look sparking clean, makes a big difference. (counter tops in the kitchen, table, bathroom) It should only take less than an hour to clean all the countertops in the house.

Monica's right, clean up all the toys. That only takes 15 min. or so.

A clean toilet & mirror (don't worry about the shower cause that will be concealed) Toilet & mirrors should only take 10-15 min.

But the living room & kitchen are the TWO areas that people tend to gather. So as long as those are clean, and the bathroom is in "decent condition" then you're in the clear. Kitchen & living room would take about 1-1.5 hours.


And last, I would light a scented candle. Golden Canyon makes a scent called "Clean Sheets". I lit that one night when someone was coming by, and even though the house wasn't clean, they said, "It smells so clean in here!" (honestly, that's what they said.) 5 min. to light a candle.

Buy some pre-made cookies, pop them in the oven, and it looks like you took the time to think of them and make something sweet. 2 min. to put the cookies in the oven.

So with all that, you can do it under 4 hours. Just make a check list, start in one room, and work your way down the list.

Don't stress girl. We are the ones that notice everything, most likely they'll be focusing on Logan so much, that they won't even notice the house.

Nina J replied: I would clean up any clutter (coffee table, counter tops etc.), do the bathrooms and vacuum.

Or, hire a maid for the day.

( I would go for the 2nd option, so your not really tired and worn out).

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Ann, I printed your response and I am going to use it as my checklist. Thank you so much for breaking it down for me.
To everyone else, thanks. It helps to know I am not the only one who freaks when in-laws come over.
What would I ever do without you all?

luvbug00 replied: Ditto to anns post or If you have anyfriends who have independant maids (not with a company) they ususaly chrage less and do a fantastic job. Here our single family home is 75-100 depending on the mess.

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
Those work wonders!!

I would just do the biggest most obvious messes....dishes, clutter and bathroom.
Dust? I hardly dust unless is super obvious, but who is going to be looking at the mantel and stuff!!? Wash the floor if its super sticky and gross, but hey your houe is lived in right? And you work and have a kid so its not all going to be spotless. Goodluck and dont stress about the cleaning!! Have a fun Easter!!!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Don't stress...have a GREAT time! They will be so excited to meet Logan for the first time.