We’ve all been there—guests are on their way, and suddenly you see the clutter, crumbs, and dust you hadn’t noticed all week. Don’t panic! With a smart plan, you can get your home looking fresh and welcoming in under an hour.

At Best Day Housecleaning, we know exactly where to focus when time is short. Here’s your step-by-step guide to speed cleaning before guests arrive—without the stress.
Step 1: Set the Mood First (2 minutes)
Light a candle, open a window for fresh air, or turn on a diffuser. Pleasant scents instantly make your home feel inviting—even before you’ve picked up a sponge.
Step 2: Clear Clutter from Main Areas (10 minutes)
Grab a laundry basket and do a quick sweep of the living room, dining area, and entryway. Toss in shoes, toys, mail, and random items. Stash the basket out of sight for now—you can sort it later.
Step 3: Refresh Surfaces (10 minutes)
Focus on the most visible spots:
- Wipe down counters, tables, and coffee tables.
- Straighten pillows and fold throw blankets.
- Do a quick dusting of obvious areas like the TV stand or side tables.
Step 4: Speed-Clean the Kitchen (10 minutes)
Guests almost always end up in the kitchen. Make it shine by:
- Loading dirty dishes straight into the dishwasher.
- Wiping down counters and stovetop.
- Emptying the trash if it’s full.
Step 5: Bathroom Reset (10 minutes)
Bathrooms leave a lasting impression. Focus here:
- Wipe down the sink and faucet.
- Replace hand towels with clean ones.
- Empty the trash.
- Add a fresh roll of toilet paper and light a candle.
Step 6: Floors & Entryway Touch-Up (10 minutes)
Give high-traffic areas a quick vacuum or sweep. At the entryway, shake out rugs and make sure shoes or bags aren’t cluttering the space. This sets the tone as soon as guests walk in.
Step 7: Finishing Touches (5 minutes)
Do a fast walk-through: adjust lighting, straighten chairs, and tuck away anything that still looks out of place. Now your home is ready to welcome guests—stress-free.
The Takeaway
Speed cleaning isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a warm, comfortable environment for your guests. By focusing on high-impact areas, you’ll make your home feel clean and inviting in no time.
And when you want to skip the rush altogether, Best Day Housecleaning is here to help with professional cleanings that keep your home guest-ready, all the time.
👉 Want a home that’s always ready for company? Book your cleaning today.
About The Author
Best Day Housecleaning has been serving the Fox Valley area since 2023. We service Geneva, North Aurora, South Elgin, West Chicago, Batavia, Elburn, and St. Charles, IL. Along with offering top-rate maid service trusted by families for exceptional cleaning, we also offer a range of services including recurring cleaning, deep cleaning, and move-in/move-out cleaning, all performed by our highly trained and trustworthy team of Cleaning VIPs. All of our Cleaning VIPs are insured, bonded, and background checked. We use eco-friendly products to ensure your home is transformed into a spotless sanctuary with a personalized approach and attention to detail that exceeds expectations.
Give us a call at 630-463-9041 or send us an email to happy@bestdayhousecleaning.com to get started!