Home Home Organization 15 Tricks to Speed Clean the House By Zoe Gowen Zoe Gowen After a notable obsession with yellow houses, historic homes, and glossy magazines as a child that lead to a degree in American Studies from Sewanee: University of the South followed by a jaunt through the Washington, DC art world, Zoë found her way as the Senior Home and Garden Editor with Southern Living. There she crisscrossed the region to produce inspiring interiors, entertaining, and holiday stories while also overseeing the Idea House franchise. After seeing more porches and Christmas trees than any other reasonable person can claim, she ventured out to pave new roads freelancing for various magazines and helping people bring magazine tearsheets to life inside private homes via interior decorating. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 27, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Erica George Dines You procrastinated cleaning the house all week thinking you would pack in a thorough deep cleaning the morning of your company's arrival since they are not due to get to your home til the early evening. Then you find out that your guests will be arriving at 9am not 4pm. You did stay up cooking for them! Now you're too overwhelmed over where to even begin stashing, straightening, and wiping. You panic running in circles like the dog on the Beggin' Strips commercial for five minutes realizing that this approach isn't going to get your house clean. It's okay, breathe deeply, forget about attempting a deep clean, you're only going to have time to tackle the big and visible things. Master our house-cleaning checklist and then get on with your speed clean. Namaste. 01 of 15 Use Your Sink Hide your dirty dishes in a deep sink, in the dishwasher, or even in the oven. A quick sweep of the kitchen will make it look spectacular. 02 of 15 Go for the Closets Stash clothes and coats in closets. Don't fret if its not the item's proper place, you can go back and straighten later. 03 of 15 Quick Thinking Laurey W. Glenn This goes for shoes too. If you notice one after company arrives, just kick it under the table. 04 of 15 Welcoming Seating Brie Williams Style and straighten your sofa cushions and fluff your pillows. 05 of 15 Don't Throw It Away Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Neatly fold any and all visible throws. This will give your space a polished look. 06 of 15 Folded is Better Hector Sanchez This applies for all visible towels too—hand towels, bath towels, and dish towels. 07 of 15 Empty the Trash Laurey W. Glenn Empty the garbage cans and waste baskets—particularly the ones in powder rooms. 08 of 15 From the Hotel Handbook Laurey W. Glenn Roll up the ends of the toilet paper—a long trail of that will defeat every cleaning effort that you've made thus far. 09 of 15 Straighten the Books Brie Williams Organize and neaten your bookshelves. Make sure that all the spines are pointing in the same direction and objects are pulled close to the end of the shelf. 10 of 15 Hide the Black Box Laurey W. Glenn Hide as much technology as you can: cords, tvs, remotes—none of these convey welcoming feelings. 11 of 15 Tripping Hazards Erica Dines Clear away all dog toys and leashes to their designated hooks, nooks, or basket. You never know where Beau or Butter have left their bone. 12 of 15 Beware the Dust Bunny Erica George Dines Dust tabletops and any other spot where a highly visible dust bunny could be lurking—like a corner, shelf ledge, or the tops of picture frames. 13 of 15 A Quick Sweep Erica George Dines Sweep off your front porch, front steps, or front foyer where leaves and dirt collect. Shake out your front mat too. 14 of 15 Fresh and Clean Erica Dines Wipe down countertops with a clean smelling product like Windex, Chlorox, 409, or Mrs. Meyers. 15 of 15 Flick a Match Light a candle. Relax and have fun! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit