To think you need to clean for “guests”

[CleanHouseForNow]

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?

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.

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

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.

@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!

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

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

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

Normal!

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.

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

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.

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

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

I would do the same.

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.

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.

🤣

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

I wouldn’t trust most (not all) men’s opinion on cleaning , talking from experience as a professional cleaner , the times I see the filth men will live in and project onto their partners/ kids that’s it’s perfectly acceptable to live in/ let guests in & see unhygienic filthy homes. I see women lower their standards so much once they share a house with a man. So if YOU think it needs cleaning for your guests I believe you!

We don't have a cleaner clean our house so yes in preparation for guests coming around for lunch I would blitz the house doing all those as they'd in all likelihood need doing, but in your situation with a regular house cleaner the house should be in a fairly decent state so I'd just do:

> Deep clean the kitchen - just wipe down surface tops, clean sink and sweep kitchen floor if needed
> Mop the floor of the whole downstairs - nope
> Deep clean downstairs toilet - yes
> Remove all clutter from downstairs - yes
> Wipe all downstairs surfaces - nope
> Empty downstairs bins - yes
> Hoover upstairs - nope
> Deep clean upstairs bathroom - clean loo & sink only

Then she needs a new cleaner!

Same. We have a cleaner for 8 hours a week! I live in a very deep cleaned home and find most other people’s homes so grim. Went to a friends house for a planned get together recently. It was just so dirty. It would be ‘lived in’ on here but it was grim to me.

Dépends on the size of your home, how old it is, what state of repair it is in, and whether you have children, pets and a civilised dh or not.

Three hours a week completely sorted out the two-bed modern flat we used to live in but would only impact one area of the old, unrenovated house we live in now.

Bloody hell! - you are some kind of masochist!

They are coming to see you all not to inspect your home!

I would do absolutely none of those things - I would be too busy preparing the meal!

Nope, my house is moderately clean and tidy usually and thats good enough.
Im assuming friends and family are coming to see me, not my house!😁