Entertaining
Host Like a Pro Now that you’ve planned the party and cleaned the house, it’s time to host your family and friends. On the day of the event, here are a few tricks to have up your sleeve to help the event proceed more smoothly. Set up visible recycling and waste containers. This will help guests clean up after themselves and save you time later. Offer to take empty plates and cups if you are free. You know exactly where they go, and your guests will appreciate the gesture. Have fun! It’s your party too, so make sure you enjoy it. “If the host isn’t happy, it’s hard to make others feel welcomed and happy. Remember, not every gathering goes perfectly, and that’s OK,” Silva-Nash says. “The most important thing is that everyone feels welcome.”
Day 5. It’s time to tackle the kitchen. “It’s the main hub of activity, so that means it’s almost impossible to keep the room spotless for long,” Silva-Nash says. “That’s why you want to leave it until last.” Dust the ceiling fan, light fixtures and vents. Clean all the appliances. This includes the stove, fridge and microwave. Freshen up the garbage disposal. He recommends cutting up a lemon or two and running the pieces through the disposal. Also, wipe down the rubber piece attached to your sink. It collects food and can be the main source of unpleasant smells. Wipe down the countertop, sink and cabinets. Clean the garbage can. You can do this by taking the can outside, adding some dishwashing soap and spraying the inside with the garden hose. “Let the power of your hose provide the elbow grease,” he says. Vacuum and mop the floor.
Day 4. Now it’s time to focus on the gathering areas of the home, such as the living room and dining room. Declutter the space so that you have plenty of room for guests. Dust the tops and bottoms of ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents. Wipe down doorways, the mantel, furniture, and cabinet exteriors. Vacuum the floor, furniture, baseboards and under the furniture. Go over any surfaces with a dryer sheet. This will prevent cling and keep dust from collecting.
Day 3. Clean the bathrooms guests will be using. Silva-Nash knows this is usually everyone’s least favorite room to clean, and offers these steps to maximize your efforts. Pull out all the towels and mats, and run a load of laundry. Dust the light fixtures and vents. Disinfect the toilet, tub, shower and other hard bathroom surfaces. Wipe down cabinets and doorways. Clean the mirror. He recommends a solution of one-quarter cup vinegar, one-half teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 2 cups of water. Place mixture on a paper towel and then apply to mirror. Vacuum or mop. Use a handheld vacuum or vacuum hose to quickly suck up any hair or debris near baseboards. Replace shower liner with clean or new liner. Return freshly laundered towels and mats.
Day 2. Turn your attention to bedrooms, hallways and staircases. Dust the tops and bottoms of ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents and all the nooks and crannies that usually get ignored. Always dust before you vacuum. Wipe down doorways, furniture and any knickknacks. Vacuum the floor, especially under the bed and along the baseboards. Lay out fresh linens and towels in the guest room.
Clean 5 Areas in 5 Days As Silva-Nash has mentioned, you don’t want to start cleaning too early. Instead, wait until the week of the event, and then follow this day-by-day plan to help keep you focused. Before you start, enlist the help of family members, and then give them assignments on each day. Day 1. Start with the porch, foyer, entryway and central closets. The tasks to prioritize are: Clean up and organize any clutter. You want the entry points of your home to be easy to navigate and clear for guests if they need storage. Wipe down the door, windows, light fixtures and doorknobs. Vacuum or sweep, and then mop if needed.
Plan Before You Clean “You don’t want to start cleaning too early,” Silva-Nash says. “Things start getting dirty really fast, and if you have kids, cleaning now is the equivalent of brushing your teeth while eating Oreos.” So instead of busting out your cleaning spray and gloves, review your event checklist. Once you have the party day outlined, you can better plan your future cleaning time. Pick a date for the event, if you haven’t already, and notify guests. It’s a busy time of year, so not everyone will be able to make it, and it’s helpful to have an accurate headcount as soon as you can. Reserve party supplies. If you need extra tables or chairs, contact a supplier now to ensure you’ll have them for the event. If your guests will arrive wearing winter coats, consider renting a coat rack. This will help keep your home tidy during the event. Hire help. If you’ll be serving drinks at your party, it’s a great idea to hire a bartender. That will free up your time as the host, and your guests will appreciate the prompt beverage service. A bartender will also ensure you’re stocked up on ice and have clean glasses. Ask for help. If you have good friends coming to the event, see if th...
Cleaning tips: Spills. If someone spills wine or grape juice, immediately but calmly put table salt on the area. This will stop the stain from soaking in, Silva-Nash says. Then, you can come back later and treat the stain with club soda or carpet cleaner. Dishes. At the end of the night, let the dishes soak overnight; clean them in the morning. Cleanup. Enjoy the party and save the majority of the cleanup for the next day. Silva-Nash says it can be helpful to recycle or throw away disposable plates, cups and other trash, and then corral the rest so that you’ll have a starting point in the morning.
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