When Company is Coming

I love having company! It’s a blast to cook and plan and get things ready… However, I need help to make sure I don’t forget anything. I keep a list handy with all the nit-picky things that I want to have done before company comes. Yes, my list is exceptionally detailed — however, it’s flexible. I don’t always clean this deeply. But, I have everything written down so I know what I want done.

To create a list of your own, simply go room by room and get as picky as you want. Write down everything, no matter how small. Once you have that basic list, decide if you really need it that detailed. Most people don’t. Keep it handy and you’ll never get overwhelmed when company is coming again! You’ll have your map to a welcoming home to keep you moving and grooving.

Here’s mine:

Foyer:

1. Sweep and mop
2. Dust banisters
3. Clean off shelf
4. Shoes put away
5. Wipe down mat
6. Vacuum stairs
7. Clean walls (shoe scuffs)
8. Wipe down glass door

Living Room:

1. Decide if slipcovers are going on or not
2. Shelves tidy
3. Dust
4. Turtle area clean, including tank
5. Coffee table cleaned off
6. TV stand tidy (gaming stuff put away)
7. Vacuum
8. Febreeze
9. Clean off Hubby’s area

Dining Room:

1. Table cleared off
2. Dust
3. Decide if I’m going with place mats or table cloth
4. Dust
5. Vacuum
6. Clean back door
7. Rug by door cleaned

Kitchen:

1. Sweep and mop
2. Dust
3. Stove top clean
4. Sink cleaned
5. Appliances wiped down
6. Microwave clean
7. Pan cabinet tidy
8. Pantry tidy
9. Clean off top of fridge
10. Counters scrubbed
11. Buffet cleaned off
12. Fridge tidy (cycle out old artwork and photos)
13. Rub cleaned

Hallway:

1. Laundry downstairs and sorted
2. Dust
3. Vacuum
4. Coat closet tidy

Upstairs Bathroom:

1. Sweep and mop
2. Clean linens out
3. Wipe down sink
4. Wipe down toilet
5. Febreeze curtain if no time to wash
6. Clean out under sink
7. Clean out medicine cabinet
8. Clean out white cabinet
9. Dust
10. Hand towels out
11. Wash liner if time
12. Wash shower curtain hooks
13. Clean rug

Upstairs Guest Room:

1. Bed made nicely (make sure linens are clean)
2. Febreeze
3. Clothing put away in closet
4. Papers put away
5. Shelves tidy
6. Table tidy
7. Dust
8. Vacuum

Boy’s Room:

1. Dust
2. Vacuum
3. Bed made nicely (with clean, non-boy-ed sheets)
4. Clean around edges of room (a favored Boy toy area)
5. Clean out closet
6. Clean off dresser
7. “Special Table” cleaned off (where he keeps his treasures)
8. Shelves tidy
9. Febreeze

Master Bedroom:

1. Bed made nicely (clean linens if company using it)
2. Clothes away
3. Dressers cleaned off
4. Corner cleaned out — my stuff away
5. Jewelry area tidy
6. Dust
7. Vacuum
8. Closet tidy
9. Febreeze

Basement:

1. Toys put away
2. TV shelves tidy
3. Toy closet tidy
4. Hubby’s desk tidy
5. File cabinet tidy
6. Black desk tidy
7. Recliner situated
8. Vacuum
9. Dust

Basement Guest Room:

1. Bed made neatly (make sure linens are fresh smelling)
2. Shelves tidy
3. Table tidy
4. Rocking chair cleared off
5. Febreeze
6. Dust
7. Vacuum

Guest Bathroom:

1. Sweep and mop
2. Clean linens out
3. Wash rug
4. Make sure there is TP
5. Scrub out sink
6. Scrub toilet
7. Clean out white cabinet

Laundry Room:

1. Sweep and mop
2. Dust
3. Clean off appliances
4. Wipe down appliances
5. Trash out
6. Shelf tidy
7. Laundry tidy in hampers
8. Wash window curtain

Front Yard:

1. Trash area tidy
2. Flower beds tidy
3. Sweep stoop

Back Yard:

1. Porch cleaned off
2. Toys put away
3. Pillows and table cleaned
4. Grill covered
5. Sweep if needed
6. Branches and leaves up

Misc.

1. Do a run through and wipe down walls and doors where needed