apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Making the bed always makes a room look better. And straightening out piles that happen to be within view helps too.

Great tips! And witty too :)

I am always struggling with so much paperwork. It is always strewn all over the place! Sigh...

My dad always taught me to clean the faucet in the kitchen or bathroom and to make sure it looks clean. I'm always amazed at the difference cleaning just the faucet makes!

Wiping off the stove is a big one. (My stove is down the hall opposite the front door, so you can see it right when you enter.) And sweeping the kitchen/dining room. Clearing the coffee table of anything that may be on it (magazines, books, cups). I would also say it is good to have a place for your guests to put their things. And if it's not cold out, I like to keep the windows open for a bit of fresh air.

organize the coat closet and neaten the sofa cushions/blanket. Those two things never stay neat for very long.

Signhant's dad has the right idea... "clean the faucets in the kitchen/bathroom". Love that attitude! In other words, "make shiny things shine."
I'd add: only invite people over after sundown and light only candles. Works for me when I'm in a minimalist cleaning mood.

Ditto on the clean faucets idea. I use Windex wipes, which are a super-fast way to get that task done.

There's also the "close doors to not-important rooms." Why clean the guest bedroom when you can close the door? No one needs to look in there anyway.

i put fresh towels in the bathroom and kitchen, and clear the landing strip for guests' stuff.

does anyone else dust their plants?

I always have to do "pet control" before guests arrive. De-furring couches, vaccuuming around the litter box, etc.

I have a 3-step routine I do whenever I can to reduce caos

1.gather and throw all the trash
2.gather any dishes, glasses or cups and take them to the kitchen
3.gather and put away all clothes that are laying around

It sounds too simple but after this I feel our caos is not embarrasing :)

Another technique is arranging 20 things per room. This way my house really gets organized without stress. It is less stressing when you clean-up with a game.

I dust my plants too. Although, I have been known to just use a hairdryer on the cool setting...

The warm setting works great for synthetic plants.

I worked as a chambermaid at a hotel the summer before going to college. The General Manager told us that as long as the mirrors were spotless and the facets were shiny that no one would notice if the floors weren't swept. Hotel will remain unnamed ...

So I always make sure the facets and mirrors are spotless.

I also close doors, often!

Definitely clean the bathroom sink, faucet and toilet and the kitchen sink, faucet and countertops (or just close the door to the kitchen, if you can).

I would also run a lint roller over the furniture to pick up pet hair and check the stairs for pet hair bunnies. For some reason, that's where the hair gathers.

three point programme-
(a) shut bedroom door if bedroom is messy! (b) clean loo
(c) use wipes liberally (pet hair!)