What counts as a clean and tidy house to you?

[Namechanger67]

I get very stressed when hosting, especially if the people coming over are not close friends. So every time I have guests, even if just a playdate for DC, I have to hoover the whole place, dust every surface, tidy up every corner and fully clean kitchen and bathroom to the highest standards. I also do skirting boards lol as they are white and get very dusty very often.
DH thinks I stress too much and that as long as the place looks decent, that is good enough.
What are other people standards I wonder?

I also give the house a good clean when people come over. Why wouldn't you? Who wants to sit in someone's dirty house?

Bleach toilet, and wipe bathroom sink, flash wipe kitchen surfaces and coffee table, sweep hard floors downstairs. That's it. Take me as you find me. I have cats, there will be fur, despite my best efforts.

Pretty sure I've never noticed the cleanliness or dirtiness of anyone else's house, to be honest

Someone I’m very close too, they can take my house for however it is. Anyone else and I will clean it within a inch of its life. I have a house inspection in 4 weeks and I am already out with the steam cleaner & decluttering so it looks not lived in when they come. 😂

That seems excessive. A basic level of cleanliness is fine, e.g, no overflowing bins, clean toilet, a quick hoover.

Heh, agree with that, before the last House inspection I was full on Mrs Mop.

My house is only ever super tidy if we are going to have visitors or workmen in. It’s why I don’t answer the door to unexpected people showing up! 🤣

Yes, I think I clean and tidy as you described but I wouldn't include, say, tidying and organising the inside of drawers or cupboards.

I guess it depends what your cleaning schedule is. Mine is properly done once a week, so a quick run round if people are coming takes no time.

zipadeeday
I also give the house a good clean when people come over. Why wouldn't you? Who wants to sit in someone's dirty house?

I think op’s trying to figure out what is the least possible acceptable standard. It is so hard, I’ve people who have the most pristine houses, they are amazing and I’m sure they look at my house and grimace even if I’ve been cleaning solidly got a week- we’ve kids and pets and I’m not an amazing cleaner so I’d guess they see it that I haven’t got it to the standard they’d expect. I’ve other friends and I know we’re on the same page

Anyone who went into the drawers of doom, or Monica from Friends' cupboard under the stairs wouldn't be invited back!

Yeah, this is reserved for moving house and when my mil and fill are coming to stay for weeks on end.

You have my deepest sympathies. Hence I only have short term guests.

A quick hoovering, check bathroom and ensure kitchen is clean. Other than that my place looks lived in and if people don’t like it they don’t have to come back. My friends have the same standards so it works out well between us.

I've certainly never looked at anyone's skirting boards, OP, I'm more with your DP.

I don't specifically clean when people come over, but I have an ongoing cleaning routine which means the house is always clean and tidy. My family and I deserve a clean and tidy house just as much as guests do!

No contamination by other humans. 👍

I'm with your dp too.

My friends come to spend time with me, not inspect the house.

Same as when I go to someone else's house - I am there to spend time with them. I can't say I have ever had any thoughts about anyone else's skirting boards in all my decades on this planet.

I make sure the house is clean as I normally do. My house is rarely pristine for long as I've got 4 kids who make a mess and so I wouldn't judge others' houses unless genuinely dirty. I do make sure the toilet is extra clean though.

I like other people's houses to be a tiny bit grubbier than mine, so that I can enjoy getting back into my own house. Generally speaking I have beds made, dishes done, floor vacuumed, laundry up to date and toilets/sinks clean as a matter of course. No pets or young kids means much less in the way of unexpected smears and debris so if someone is coming round I only have to get the duster out and stick to my routine.
I don't think about skirting boards, in my own house or anyone else's.

If one of the kids has a mate over - I'm not bleaching the loo.
If I am having friends over for a nice meal and few drinks - house will be cleaned prior.
Mum coming over for sunday lunch - presentable but im not dusting the skirting boards!

Your husband is right, OP. A quick tidy is sufficient, because nobody cares about a bit of dust. They are coming to see you, not your house.

And an overly pristine house is unwelcoming - visitors will feel that they can't relax because it has to stay "perfect".

This, I just make sure the toilets are clean, and the kitchen counters are clean and tidy, and there is a spare spot on the sofa.

To me clean and tidy is a house that are baby could crawl around in and not get sick.

I no longer have babies in my house.
My house is not clean and tidy.

Each room gets a thorough clean once a week, so it’s never a problem if people come round at short notice. I might do an extra vacuum downstairs, wipe down the bathroom and tidy specifically if people are coming round, but wouldn’t be bothered if someone turned up unexpectedly as it’s not really dirty the rest of the time.