Throwing a party seemed like a brilliant idea two weeks ago, but now you’re panicking because there is less than an hour left before the dreaded doorbell rings.
Fret not; here’s how to give the illusion of a clean living space in less than 30 minutes or so.
Living room
* Keep one side of your throw pillows and sofa cushions for special occasions. Before company arrives, plump them up and flip them over to reveal good-as-new fabric.
* De-hair chairs by donning a clean, wet pair of rubber gloves and running them over surfaces to pick up furballs.
* Stack up books and magazines in decorative baskets.
Kitchen
* Wipe down all surfaces.
* Stow dirty dishes in a large stockpot.
* Cover up the lingering smell of last night’s dinner by boiling nutmeg, cinnamon or orange peels in the kitchen.
Bathroom
* Hang fresh hand towels and flip the bathmat over.
* Odour control is essential, so spray air freshener and light a scented candle. Pay special attention to the trash zones and turn on the exhaust fan to ventilate the area.
* Store cosmetics and cleaning supplies underneath the sink.
Bedrooms
* Make the beds.
* Just like when you were a kid, dump everything under the bed.
* Clean up your children’s room by stashing puzzle pieces in a drawer and stacking up board games on top of a shelf. If your kids have a play tent, hide clothes and stray toys inside it. Pile books neatly on the floor, largest to smallest and stack it up next to a desk.
* All obvious clutter can be stashed in storage bins and laundry bags.
