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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think you need to clean for “guests”

193 replies

CleanHouseForNow · 03/05/2026 21:19

We have family visiting tomorrow for lunch. A planned meal with about 15 people. We see them regularly but not often at home.

In the interests of full disclosure we have a cleaner who does 3 hours once a week. I think in addition we need to:
> Deep clean the kitchen
> Mop the floor of the whole downstairs
> Deep clean downstairs toilet
> Remove all clutter from downstairs
> Wipe all downstairs surfaces
> Empty downstairs bins
> Hoover upstairs
> Deep clean upstairs bathroom

This is the minimum. I would actually do more if time permitted.

DH thinks it is WAY too much and would probably just wipe down the kitchen and spray some air freshener in the bathrooms. AIBU?

OP posts:
Malasana · 04/05/2026 05:27

If I had a cleaner for 3 hours a week I’d not lift a finger in between. Guests or no guests 😂

sunshinestar1986 · 04/05/2026 03:04

PollyBell · 04/05/2026 00:04

Well if my husband demanded we had to deep clean an entire house because guests are coming over he would be doing it himself

And spotless houses makes me wonder what is hiding in a basement or attic

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🤣

Confuserr · 04/05/2026 02:59

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 04/05/2026 02:29

No it’s not. OP herself said several times that the cleaner does a “whizz round” once a week and that their cleaning is light touch.

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Well if the cleaner is there for 3 hours a week and doesn't manage to do anything other than "whizz round" (whatever that means) she should get a new cleaner.

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 04/05/2026 02:29

Confuserr · 04/05/2026 01:23

OK...but OP does have a cleaner who comes once a week for 3 hours. So the weekly mopping/bathroom deep clean etc. are done by them.

Show quote history

No it’s not. OP herself said several times that the cleaner does a “whizz round” once a week and that their cleaning is light touch.

Momtotwokids · 04/05/2026 02:28

I would do the same.

Twinkletoesandspaghettios · 04/05/2026 01:47

I would just call your list a standard clean before guests come over

FernsInValley · 04/05/2026 01:29

Yanbu. It is why I don't have anybody visit, I am unable to do it in one day.

Confuserr · 04/05/2026 01:23

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 04/05/2026 00:45

I’m actually deeply concerned that so many people think your list is too much, OP. How often are people deep cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors regardless of whether you have guests or not? These are all normal cleaning tasks I would undertake on a daily/weekly/bi-weekly basis. I don’t have a cleaner. Kitchen is always clean, every night before I go to bed. Bathroom deep cleaned once a week as I have a teenage boy. Hoover probably every other day and mop weekly. Spot clean where needed. I dread visiting peoples houses when they’re dirty, especially if I’m meant to be eating there.

OK...but OP does have a cleaner who comes once a week for 3 hours. So the weekly mopping/bathroom deep clean etc. are done by them.

DressOrSkirt · 04/05/2026 01:12

CleanHouseForNow · 03/05/2026 22:06

@OnTheBoardwalk shit I don’t change the towels. I am going to do this going forward runs to the bathrooms to throw the old ones in the wash.

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I think you're list it OTT but I always put fresh towels out right before guests arrive. They'll be touching those but are hardly going to notice if there's dust behind the sofa

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 04/05/2026 00:45

I’m actually deeply concerned that so many people think your list is too much, OP. How often are people deep cleaning bathrooms and mopping floors regardless of whether you have guests or not? These are all normal cleaning tasks I would undertake on a daily/weekly/bi-weekly basis. I don’t have a cleaner. Kitchen is always clean, every night before I go to bed. Bathroom deep cleaned once a week as I have a teenage boy. Hoover probably every other day and mop weekly. Spot clean where needed. I dread visiting peoples houses when they’re dirty, especially if I’m meant to be eating there.

Opentoconvo · 04/05/2026 00:40

TheDogsMother · 03/05/2026 22:25

I would do this. We clean the entire downstairs if we have friends round for a drink. Probably sad.

Normal!

Opentoconvo · 04/05/2026 00:39

LIZS · 03/05/2026 22:54

Why do upstairs if they are just coming for lunch? Make sure kitchen and downstairs bathroom are surface clean and a quick hoover.

You always get that intrusive bugger that wants to go upstairs!

Opentoconvo · 04/05/2026 00:38

Cooshawn · 04/05/2026 00:12

Jesus no. My house is always tidy and clean because I don't like clutter, mess or dirt. As soon as I see something needs to be done I just do it so it's never a big undertaking.

I absolutely notice if houses I visit are grotty and will decline food and drinks sometimes, if it feels too bad. I've got family members whose houses I won't stay at because they're dirty, and I don't feel comfortable and relaxed there.

Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a house dirty enough to turn down drinks or food.

Opentoconvo · 04/05/2026 00:35

Changednameagain999 · 04/05/2026 00:14

Would you not just switch on your multiple robot vacuum/mop automatons? That’s what i do.

The robot has been an absolute godsend. Best modern invention ever!

Opentoconvo · 04/05/2026 00:33

@CleanHouseForNow I would probably be adding, cleaning downstairs blinds and windows to the list, and cleaning front door. Oh and I would also wash the woodwork.

This is why I try my very best never to have visitors 😂. Far too much work!

GrandmasCat · 04/05/2026 00:18

I wouldn’t be doing any “deep cleaning” for visits but probably that is because my house is reasonably clean on any given day.

Interestingly, what helps me keep it tidy is having visits regularly.

Changednameagain999 · 04/05/2026 00:14

Would you not just switch on your multiple robot vacuum/mop automatons? That’s what i do.

Cooshawn · 04/05/2026 00:12

Jesus no. My house is always tidy and clean because I don't like clutter, mess or dirt. As soon as I see something needs to be done I just do it so it's never a big undertaking.

I absolutely notice if houses I visit are grotty and will decline food and drinks sometimes, if it feels too bad. I've got family members whose houses I won't stay at because they're dirty, and I don't feel comfortable and relaxed there.

PollyBell · 04/05/2026 00:04

sunshinestar1986 · 03/05/2026 22:40

He just doesn't want to help you obviously
So just do what you can

Well if my husband demanded we had to deep clean an entire house because guests are coming over he would be doing it himself

And spotless houses makes me wonder what is hiding in a basement or attic

Happyjoe · 03/05/2026 23:59

Totally with you. Clean the house spotless when I know people are coming around. Takes ages, ha.

Uninvited guests not allowed, I don't scurryfunge.

PeloMom · 03/05/2026 23:55

I would do that but I also deep clean for drop off play dates so might not be the best person to ask 🤣

Confuserr · 03/05/2026 23:54

MasterBeth · 03/05/2026 23:53

I hope you asked her what the fuck she thought she was doing.

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Yeah this reflects badly on her and not at all on you!

MasterBeth · 03/05/2026 23:53

Gealach · 03/05/2026 21:47

a word of warning to people saying you don’t need to do upstairs. My aunt visited me, she is very pass remarkable, spends most of her time housekeeping.

So I scrub the place top to bottom before she comes. It’s not awful because we have a cleaner but I did all the skirting, cleaned down the front of the cupboards, pulled everything out. Everything. Then while I was busy with the children , she actually went upstairs and opened all the doors to the bedrooms where she found all the shite and clutter I had a thrown in, in a panic.

I hope you asked her what the fuck she thought she was doing.

eatreadsleeprepeat · 03/05/2026 23:50

Gealach · 03/05/2026 21:26

If I didn’t throughly clean for guests we would live in a shithole.

Sometimes i invite people around just to force myself to deep clean. I was hoovering the other day and my DS asked me if we were having guests 🤣

So glad it isn’t just me😂.

Woodfiresareamazing2 · 03/05/2026 23:49

CleanHouseForNow · 03/05/2026 21:33

How deep is the deep clean? I’m on my knees cleaning the bathroom floor tiles.

I also pull the sofas out to hoover.

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With respect, that's ridiculous.

Mop the bathroom floor, clean the sink and loo, put out fresh towels and an extra loo roll.

Ditto re downstairs loo.

Clean kitchen surfaces, mop floor.

Vacuum downstairs, without moving furniture.

Clear up clutter as much as possible.

Job done.