Holiday guests…and cleaning for them (eek!)

My birthday is in about two weeks, and it looks like, no matter how the night falls out, at some point, there’s going to be a gaggle of my closest friends in my place…some of whom have never been here before. Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us again. That means house guests, parties and all sorts of holiday spirits, which also means a lot of cleaning before and after the guests arrive.

But as busy as we all are today, who has time to clean? Fear not. With the following handy tips from our friends at Greased Lightning multipurpose cleaner and degreaser, getting your home ready for the holidays can be a breeze. In theory.

* You only get one chance to make a good first impression. The front door and entranceway of your home are the first things guests will see. Make sure doors and light fixtures are spotless. Remove dirt and grime from vinyl siding around the main entrance so when people arrive they feel welcome and right at home.

* Entertaining in the kitchen is inevitable. Wipe down your countertops and cupboards to make them shine. Look for tough spots like wine stains or syrup that can seep into cracks and corners, leaving a yucky mess. And finally, before you mop, do yourself a favor and skip the broom. The vacuum is an easy way to pick up anything hiding on your kitchen floor.

* Remove grease and grime from the stovetop. You only want to clean the surface of a stove when it’s cool. Make sure all burners have been turned off and consider using a damp micro-fiber cloth, which won’t smear the cooking surface.

* Open that fridge; toss any old food and containers and be sure to wipe down the shelves. Next, load up the dishwasher and don’t forget about the sponges. Sponges are a hangout for contaminants and can easily spread germs to other parts of the kitchen – loading them in the dishwasher keeps them fresh and clean.

* Remember the powder room. This is perhaps the only place in your home where guests will spend time alone. Dim the lights to help them feel welcomed and relaxed. Offer a clean and comfortable place to refresh by scrubbing the toilet, shower, sink and floors, removing any signs of mold or mildew. Make sure mirrors are free of water spots and fingerprints.