How to clean FAST?

mrebecca

SIL is on a plane right now, leaving the Midwest to visit us here in GA.

Her grandmother passed away, so she will be here to attend the funeral. She and DH have different mothers, so she was not also DH's grandomther.

My house is a wreck, because my depression has been worse the past week. There's a correlation between my depression and the level of cleanliness in my house; as my depression worsens, so does my house.

How do I make it company-ready in a few hours, plus chasing a toddler and our animals?

So far, I've decluttered the living room, and the carpet is vacuumed. Basically, my living room is clean, but my bookshelves should stand to be straightened up.

So I need to clean my kitchen.
Would it be acceptable to hide my dirty dishes in another room if there's no time to wash them?

Should I do that with everything that's out of place?

I mean, I know she'll be in a state of grieving, and she probably couldn't care less how my house looks... but still. I'd like for her to feel comfortable here.

So what do I do!?!1??/?! 

[Deleted User]

Start with the bathroom she will use.  If the bathroom is clean, people are more willing to forgive mess in other areas.

mrebecca

overture:

Start with the bathroom she will use.  If the bathroom is clean, people are more willing to forgive mess in other areas.

Oh crap, the bathroom.
Forgot about that.
Thanks. 

AshleyDG83

Yeah, start in the bathroom, then move to other common areas. Just give it a once over. I'm sure she won't notice too much anyway. I've been known to put clutter in closets when having unexpected visitors!

On another note, sorry to hear about your depression. When I'm down and out, my house definitely suffers too. Good luck!

amykins1283

I would do the bathroom and room she'll be sleeping in definitely.  I would also do the dishes rather than hide them (just kinda gross).  Anything else that is cluttering up the house I would stash in your bedroom and keep the door closed.  Then just give the kitchen and other surfaces a good wipe and make sure there aren't piles of animal hair everywhere (big problem at our house).  Done.

grr_aargh

overture:

Start with the bathroom she will use.  If the bathroom is clean, people are more willing to forgive mess in other areas.

Yup.

I'd go in this order:

Bathroom she'll use

Bedroom she'll use (change sheets)

Living room

Kitchen last, mostly because if I did the kitchen first, it'd be dirty again by the time I was done with the other things.  

littlemac1117

Basically what everyone else said. Also, if its not crazy hot, opening the windows always helps our place feel more fresh, even if its just for a little while. Plus it lets out the cleaning fumes. I always feel sort of dusty after I vacuum and stuff, so it helps me feel better too.

IrishEyes0530

Everything they said. And light some candles. They will make it smell nice in the house and I think it seems cleaner when it smells nice.

pepomntpat

Try this!

https://karenehman.com/home/2012/04/05/get-your-house-company-ready-in-under-2-hours-with-guest-crystal-paine/ 

ATMmom324

Not trying to be snarky but get off the internet.  I use it to procrastinate so much when I don't feel like cleaning.  Do the bathroom and the kitchen.  Get a box or hamper and throw all clutter in it.  Hide that basket.  Spray some Febreeze around.  Then pick a fight with you DH and tell him it is his sister.  He should be cleaning the house for her.

alleykattz

How many dishes can you have that it would take less time to hide them than to wash them? 

judahsmommy1

With the kitchen, I take everything out of the sink, pile pots and pans to the side and load the dishwasher. If I don't get to the pots and pans I can always hide them. (I have been guilty of doing this before.) As much as possible keep the sink empty so it's there to use. Rinse the pots and pans really well so if you have to hide them they're not getting more nasty or causing smells. Soak things in a giant bowl on the counter if necessary as opposed to the sink. Once the dishwasher is loaded, rinse everything else well, pile everything into the sink for a few minutes to give your entire counters a good wipe down. Then stack anything that can be done in a second load of dishes on the counter neatly. Hide everything else. A counter that has been wiped down with dishes on it looks much better than one that hasn't been.

Also, if you can find a large box or storage container you can run through the house and store the mess for a while instead of dealing with it. I do that with uncompleted projects, books, papers, toys, etc... forget putting it all where it needs to go. If there's no time, put it all in a box and put the box in a closet. Come back to it later. 

PinkyFloyd73

I would leave the shelf clutter because that's out of the way. Like other said, clean the bathroom first- just wipe down the toilet seat/rim and brush the bowl, wipe down sink and counter, and if there is any hair on the floor wipe it up real quick with a wet rag. Clean the mirrors if you have time, otherwise it's forgivable.

In the kitchen I would clear up any clutter and wipe counters and floor first (if needed). Dirty dishes in the sink seems less messy if the rest of your kitchen is clean, so I would do the dishes last and just try to do as many as you can before she gets there.

judahsmommy1

Usm123:

I'd rather come to someone's house and find them washing dishes or picking up toys then find dirty dishes hidden throughout the house. Bathrooms and kitchens are my compulsive areas. She knows it was a last minute trip and can overlook clutter. 

If you come to my house and find dirty dishes, you've been snooping and deserve whatever you find. 

mrebecca

alleykattz:

How many dishes can you have that it would take less time to hide them than to wash them? 

Hahaha.
Practically all of them are dirty.
Depression sucks, dude.
Also, I don't have a dishwasher.

But I cleaned my bathroom like PPs suggested. It was a good idea. Thanks. 

judahsmommy1

mrebecca:

alleykattz:

How many dishes can you have that it would take less time to hide them than to wash them? 

Depression sucks, dude.

No joke!

littlemac1117

mrebecca:

alleykattz:

How many dishes can you have that it would take less time to hide them than to wash them? 

Hahaha.
Practically all of them are dirty.
Depression sucks, dude.
Also, I don't have a dishwasher.

But I cleaned my bathroom like PPs suggested. It was a good idea. Thanks. 

I hear you, it certainly does suck. I just cleaned my whole kitchen this morning, it was a total wreck. Tomorrow morning I will be tackling my living room. I'm sure if things are picked up, your SIL wont really notice the messes that you do. As long as things are not gross it should be fine. I think having some natural light, fresh air, and a clean bathroom and kitchen will definitely be enough. My house definitely suffers with me, I totally know what you mean. Good luck!

MandaPanda518

I hope your cleaning is going well! Sorry to hear about your depression. When I'm in a downswing I just don't have the energy or desire to do anything. Make sure to take care of yourself too.