How to "Fake Clean" Your Home in An Hour

If you are having unexpected guests that will be arriving shortly, and need to do a quick clean around your house, you can use these tips to "fake clean" your home in an hour or less.

I've included a time frame on each room to give you an idea of how long each room should take. If your rooms are not super messy you can easily have time left over at the end.

Bathroom (10 minutes):

First, add some toilet bowel cleaner to your toilet and let it sit. Then quickly clean any clutter off the counter and wipe it down.

Grab a broom or vacuum and sweep the floor if needed. If it looks pretty clean, go ahead and skip sweeping or mopping if you're in a big hurry.

Clean your toilet, and then close the shower curtain.

Kitchen (20 minutes):

Clean off the counters by putting items away and then wipe the counters down.

Either wash any dirty dishes or toss them in the dishwasher.

If there are any crumbs on the floor, sweep or vacuum the floor and mop, if you have time.

Living/Dining Room (10 minutes):

Pick up any items that don't belong and put them in a pile.

Lightly dust your coffee table and wipe down any little end-tables.  Don't dust the whole room - just areas that might get traffic, like the table.

Vacuum or sweep the floor and light a candle or turn on your essential oil diffuser to make it smell fresh.

Take any items that don't belong and put them away (or toss them in a closet where no one will see them).

Entry/Mud Room (10 minutes):

If you have a mud room or entryway that needs to be cleaned, quickly pick up items that don't belong, tuck them away, and tidy up.

Bedroom (10 minutes):

If your guest will likely go into a room (like a child's room), then pick it up also. If not, close the door to keep people out.

For a kid's room simply toss toys into play bins, make the bed, and then vacuum, if needed.

General Tips:

• Close doors to rooms you don't want people to go into. This includes bedrooms that might be a little messy but you don't have time to clean.
• Use your kids if you have any to help clean. You can have them sweep or put items away.
• Put laundry into a room that no one will go into like your bedroom. Just store it in your closet or in the laundry room, so it doesn't look like you have a pile to do.