Speed Clean for Company or the Dreaded Sudden Showing!

Today I'm showing you my secret method for speed cleaning - for those times you only have an hour or two to get ready. We've been through both sudden company and sudden house showings and I think I've managed to come up with a system that works quickly and makes your house smell GREAT using these very valuable tools:

First of all, when speed cleaning for company or a showing, never spend time cleaning what isn't dirty and only clean what you know they will see (ie: clean out your dresser sock drawer another day). That said, the drawers and cupboards that are built into the house are fair game for opening during a showing and, hopefully have been kept organized before this crazy moment.

1. Grab the Feather Duster and dust each room from top to bottom anywhere you see dust. Include bookshelves, tops of chandeliers (if you can see them from the stairs), blinds, tops of electronics, spider webs, etc.

2. Take the bottle of Method Wood for Good  (mmmmm... smells like almonds) and a Microfiber Cloth and polish the wood in all the rooms. Again- only where they will see it.

3. Take the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner and mix it in a spray bottle - half and half- with water. Take the bottle and a microcloth and use it on your counters, stainless steel, faucets, stove, and glass. Follow with another dry microcloth. You can choose from geranium, basil (my fav) or lemon verbena scents.

4. Spray your sinks and bathtub with Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer.  I like to run around and spray them all and then run back and rinse (the cleaner takes about 2 minutes to work - but don't wait much longer or it will dry out). If you really have a tough scum stain, use the Mr. Clean eraser to get rid of it. Next, vacuum:

4. The vacuum I use is the Electrolux Versatility Upright (available at Walmart or Amazon). I love it because it goes from wood floors to carpet with the touch of a button and the handle pops out and turns it into a handheld so you can get the stairs, furniture, shelves, spiders up in the corners - anything without switching vacuums. Go through each room with this from top to bottom and then:

5. Use the Haan Slim and Light Steam Cleaning Floor Sanitizer on your wood and ceramic floors (you can also use it to freshen up upholstery and carpet). This thing has changed my life. It cleans like a dream and, even better, my floors stay cleaner for much longer.

6. One final step - take a damp Mr.Clean Magic Eraser and go through your house with a critical eye, checking walls, floors, and doors for scuff marks or dirty finger prints (look especially closely around the door knobs and at the lower part of doors and moldings). Give them a rub - the marks will most likely magically disappear.

Now your house is sparkling and smells amazing. Which makes you look pretty amazing too.