By Dixie You are in a major panic mode. Big date that night and your 30 minute afternoon nap took two hours. The house looks like the set for the Walking Dead and you have 5-10 minutes before Mr. Right Now is scheduled to arrive. What to do besides turn the porch light off, hide behind some furniture and stand the poor guy up? Not to worry…you got this…it’s all about staging your room (making it presentable, not spotlessly clean). Here’s how:
1. First designate a “Stash Spot”–any room your guest will not see. It must have a door. Think laundry room, garage, other bathroom, closet.
2. Grab a trash bag. Do a quick sweep (perimeter of the room then middle) around the room (living room and bathroom, or whatever areas your guest will be seeing). Put in anything that can be thrown away. Don’t THINK, just do it. Should take about 30 seconds. Put the bag in your Stash Spot.
3. Do another sweep for things that need to be washed. Dirty dishes (I KNOW you got some lying around, I ain’t here to judge), random clothes, and shoes that need to be put away. If you have a ton of stuff, grab another trash bag, you Dirty Bird! The sweep should take about 20 seconds. Put them all in your Stash Spot. At the end and only if you have time, put them away in their proper place.
4. Grab a basket or some other container. Do another quick sweep and put any papers (bills, anything you want to save) in the basket. Should take about 10 seconds. Put this basket also in your Stash Spot.
5. Grab a paper towel or rag of some sort, spray it with some appropriate cleaner and wipe off any surface you see. Should take about 30 seconds.
6. Make a quick visual scan of the room and bathroom.Stage your room by arranging pillows on the couch, turn on lights, and pick up (and stash) any remaining items. Should take about 20 seconds. Close the door to your Stash Spot!
7. Squirt a little air freshener or perfume in the air. Turn on some music. Breathe.
8. Pour yourself a glass of wine, sit down and feel both accomplished and CLEAN (sort of).
Ah.