The 15 minute Freshen-up!

“Grandma called!!!”…one of my kids announces………. “and she’s stopping by in…… 15 MINUTES?!!!!”

I was sitting Indian style on the living room floor in front of a white board practicing math problems with my 4th grader, suddenly aware of my frumpy state of attire. Dressed in my husbands hoodie and a pair of pajama pants (yes, sometimes homeschool moms look and even EAT like college freshman). A quick glance around me, at the pots n pans my tots had pulled out of a lower cabinet to play with, and the science project my middle schooler had going on the dining table, as well as the chaos in every other corner, had me anticipating the criticism, hands upon her hips, and disapproving stare as she shakes her head and drops her bags at the front door.

We all drop one ball as we pick up another, and there is no calling for back up for this chickie poo, there’s just me, myself n I. I’ve been working overtime and my last waking minutes were spent on my daughters costume for the Christmas play, prepping my next art project for co-op, book reports yadi yadi yada. You get the picture. I was doing everything BUT clean the house.

Now the familiar feeling of submission as my house beats me into a corner of realization that I’m done for, right?! Wrong!

I still have 15 MINUTES!!! 

Generally, I would jump up running frantically around the house screaming at everyone in view “QUICK, QUICK, clean-up!”…..threatening all that if it ain’t spotless before that front door opens its, in the words of Miss Hanigan from Annie, “kill, kill, KILL”.

But not this time. I’m getting too old for that drama, and so tired of the stress. I’m a full time homeschooling mom of 6 who runs a business from home and who heavily uses every inch of this house FT. Time to just accept that the house will look like it.

BUT…… “I’m also a professional,” I coach myself once again. And this time, I’m prepared…..and ready to deploy…..the FIFTEEN MINUTE FRESHEN-UP!

Grab your notebook because this is gonna be good 😉

#1) Touch up your HALF BATH, your guests are sure to ask to use it. Lets be ready for them.

You know the one right off the foyer or kitchen that every pop-by asks to use. Well this time instead of cringing when they ask, at the thought of what kinda surprise your kids MAY have left in the toilet and forgot to flush down, your powder room is gonna be ready for them.

SOoooooo……Flush the toilet…..

use an alcohol wipe on the sink and toilet seat quickly to remove any unattracted splatter n sprinkle.

refold the hand towel and…..

BIG TIP: fold the toilet paper! Professional cleaners do this and it really boasts a big brag when your guests find it that way. Plus it just screams clean n tidy even when it’s really not. Gives your eyes something positive to focus on.

Don’t know how to fold the toilet paper? It’s simple. Fold back one square of TP to the perforated line and then fold one top corner to the opposite bottom corner at a time and crease, making a triangle.

#2) Fluff n stage your LIVING ROOM. This can be any spot you want to invite your guests to rest a minute but be sure its dressed to impress and inviting.

FLUFF all the chair cushions so their plump, and screaming “come sit your bum right here:)” Next straighten any throws and pinch any pillows in their centers, then karate chop the top to create a fortune cookie or cat ear shape. Excellent staging tip!!!

Almost like pictured above in this nicely staged photo (not mine). Yes you’ll need natural fill inserts not foam ones to do it. Worth having.

Check your surfaces, especially your dining table or kitchen table/center island, and instead of clearing n putting things away, cause we ain’t got time for that, just group n stack items by size/shape in neat piles or groups of no more than 3. This is another staging TIP!!!

 

Its just making your mess orderly  so it meats the eye with better approval 😉

#3) LINEN SPRAY the air for an air freshener, and use on everything fabric, especially the LR furniture.

It’s basically just some lavender essential oil in a 16oz spray bottle of water, but go crazy! Spray everything in the house! ESPECIALLY by the front door. The nose is stronger than the eye they say. If the house smells great, you won’t as easily notice if it don’t look great, and you’ll ironically ASSUME it’s clean. More importantly so will your guest. Or MOM (cringe).

Thats it! 15 MINUTES and you’ve got all your bases covered to greet your guest and ensure a positive impression.

BONUS: have a staged tray stashed somewhere ready to pull out and set where your guests are sure to see it, and turn your living room from lived in, to magazine photo shoot ready. Some things to keep on it: a bud vase, some perky magazines like the ones from better homes and gardens, or Real Simple, a candle or an oil reed diffuser.

I’d LOVE to get your review if you try this!!! Just leave it the comment section.

HAPPY CLEANING:)