10 Things You Should Always Clean Before a Party

Inside: Take some of the hosting pressure off with this list of things to clean before your party that allows both you and your guests to have a good time in a welcoming space!

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When it comes to getting together with friends, nothing beats a party at home where you can kick back, enjoy a few drinks, laugh, and get deeper into conversations than you can amidst the loud buzz of a bar or restaurant. So why don’t we do it more often?

Because of all the hard work that comes with hosting. The umpteen tasks that range from finalizing the food at the last minute to creating the perfect playlist. But probably the thing that hosts secretly dread (and fear) most is making sure their home looks okay.

This should take some of that pressure off:

• You should never forgo having people over because you don’t think your home is nice enough, It’s about the people, and most will simply appreciate you for getting everyone together, not for how impressive your house is.
• You should also never do a deep cleaning before a big party. Everyone is distracted with socializing and won’t notice normal dust, or the effort it took to get the floors so clean you could eat off of them.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t clean at all—in fact, it’s a must that your home should look clean and welcoming! If your place is messy or dirty, no one will feel comfortable or relaxed, and they won’t be able to wait to make their exit.

So what to focus on so you don’t wear yourself out? I’ve put together the following shortlist of the 10 essential party cleaning tasks that you shouldn’t skip before your gathering begins.

1. Pick up Clutter in Party Areas.

Clean up things that don’t belong only in the rooms where party guests will actually be. Remove any clutter in plain sight and put it into its designated area, while quickly neatening what’s left as you go.

SH&H Tip: For a fast fix, collect stray items in a box or empty laundry basket and tuck them away in a closet or spare room. This also makes it easy to put things back afterwards if needed.

2. Clean and Stock the Bathroom.

The bathroom(s) guests will use is the space that’s likely to be examined most while they are alone and undistracted (you may even have an occasional medicine cabinet snoop). This is where they’ll judge if your house is clean or not, so if you’re going to deep clean just one room, this is it.

• Thoroughly clean toilets, paying special attention to the toilet bowl, under the seat and all of the nook and crannies.
• Sweep and mop the floor, clean the tub and shower, and address any areas that still look stained.

If your grout still looks dirty after cleaning, see how I fixed that problem in the post “The Only Way to Refresh Dirty Tile Grout That Really Works“.

• Clean the sink.
• Knock down any cobwebs from corners.
• Stock the toilet paper.
• Refill hand soap if needed.
• Replace worn hand towels with nice, fresh towels, or put out more hygenic disposable paper guest towels.
• Remove any personal items you don’t want seen.

SH&H Tip: Always do a last-minute check of the toilet bowl and sink for cleanliness right before guests arrive.

3. Put Away the Dishes.

Party prep can cause piles of dishes quickly. Make sure to empty the sink, washing and putting away dirty dishes or placing them into the dishwasher before guests arrive.

SH&H Tip: Clearing the kitchen counter as much as possible not only makes your kitchen look more immaculate, but it also makes it seem larger.

4. Wipe the Counters and Appliances.

After dealing with the dishes, give the kitchen counters a quick wipe down, and clean visible food schmutz, smudges, and fingerprints off of the microwave, refrigerator, and other high touch, highly-visible surfaces.

SH&H Tip: A little bit of baby oil or mineral oil and a microfiber cloth are a great way to make stainless steel appliances and sinks gleam 

5. Empty the Trash.

Take out the trash in all guest areas to neaten things and to deal with odors. Make trash cans readily available and visible for guests to use for the party.

SH&H Tip: Put out additional trash cans dedicated to disposable plates, napkins, and cups trash in rooms where guests are eating, if needed. Have extra trash bags ready and keep and eye on whether the trash needs to be taken out during the party.

6. Put Away Clothes and Laundry.

Nothing says “I’m a mess” like clothes strewn everywhere. If there’s any chance guests will enter your laundry room or bedroom, take a few minutes to pick up and put away any clothes and laundry.

SH&H Tip: If you’re pressed for time, hide clothes that need to be put away in a bin in the closet, or hide dirty laundry in the washing machine.

7. Straighten Couch Cushions and Fluff Pillows.

Your living room is the main party area where house guests will relax and talk, so it’s essential that it looks inviting. Straighten couch cushions and fluff up the pillows to create a welcoming place to hang out.

SH&H Tip: If your sofa is looking saggy, faded, or stained, try rotating and turning over the cushions. Distract the attention away with accessories like a casually draped throw or some newer, plump throw pillows.

8. Vacuum and Clean Floors in the Party Areas.

Your floor is certain to be dirtier after a large number of people have been to your home, so don’t be fanatical about cleaning the floor beforehand. Quickly vacuum the kitchen floor and the floors in the main party spaces. Don’t bother with out-of-the-way bedrooms or parts of the house that won’t be used.

SH&H Tip: Fresh vacuum cleaner lines on the carpet go a long way in making your entire home seem freshly cleaned!

9. Clean the Entryway.

Your front porch and entryway are the first points of contact for your guests, so make sure they make a good first impression. Blow off or sweep away debris and make sure your doormat and front door look inviting, not tired and dusty.

SH&H Tip: Wreaths, doormats, plants and planters tend to get faded, dirty, and worn without us noticing, so look with a fresh eye to determine if it’s time to replace any of these. Hang a new seasonal wreath for a welcoming entry.

10. Pet Messes.

For pet owners, it’s important to tackle any issues that go along with sharing a home with a a furry friend—you don’t want your house to smell like a litterbox, and no one wants to sit in pet hair. Give all of the seating a thorough vacuuming and lint roll. Clean and move litterboxes to a part of the house that won’t be used for the party.

SH&H Tip: As the commercial says, we all get nose blind. But make sure to address the smell—if your dog stinks, your house may too and that’s embarrassing. I have lots of tips for making your home pass the sniff test in the post “How to Make Your House Smell Incredible: Real Estate Expert Secrets“.

As long as you keep up with a regular cleaning routine, dealing with these 10 areas before the party will have your home looking good enough—you won’t be exhausted and might actually enjoy a good time at your own gathering!

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