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There is nothing quite like inviting people over to make me suddenly notice every baseboard, couch cushion, spot on the floor, and questionable corner of the bathroom. Whether I’m getting ready for a birthday party, Christmas, overnight guests, or another family event, my goal is not a perfect house. I want it clean, fresh, and comfortable without spending the entire week scrubbing.
These are the cleaning tools and little home systems I actually use (some models have changed since I bought my own, but I’ve included similar items I would purchase today). Some help me clean faster; others prevent the harder cleaning job in the first place.
1. Dyson Cordless Vacuum: Make Quick Cleanup Easier
I have used Dyson cordless vacuums for years, and mine have held up incredibly well. At this point, I keep one on each floor. With little. kids and pets, not carrying a vacuum up and down the stairs makes me much more likely to quickly tackle crumbs and pet hair. I love that they’re light enough to carry around while still being powerful for my everyday cleaning.
Bonus: I use a Foho vacuum stand to keep my cordless vacuum and accessories together and easy to grab.
2. Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze for Sparkling Hard Floors
This is one of my favorite tools for the final floor clean before people come over. I use it for light vacuuming while washing my hard floors. What I really love is that it sucks the dirty water back up instead of feeling like I’m pushing increasingly dirty mop water around. It leaves very little water behind on my hardwood, and my floors look so clean and shiny afterward.
Shop the Tineco iFLOOR 5 Breeze
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3. O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop — Not Just for Floors
I love my O-Cedar EasyWring microfiber spin mop for floors, but I also use clean mop heads for walls, baseboards, and shower walls. It lets me cover larger surfaces without scrubbing every inch by hand. I regularly wash my removable mop heads so I have fresh ones ready to go.
Shop the O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop
4. Cordless Electric Spin Scrubber for Kitchens + Bathrooms
Before a birthday or holiday, the kitchen and bathrooms are always high on my list. My cordless electric spin scrubber saves me so much manual scrubbing. Mine has multiple heads, so I designate one for the bathroom and another for the kitchen rather than moving the same brush between the two.
Shop my cordless electric spin scrubber
5. BISSELL Little Green for Upholstery + Car Messes
This is an absolute lifesaver in my house. I use my small BISSELL on upholstered chairs, furniture, and the car—all those fabric surfaces that inevitably end up with spots when you have little kids and pets.
Messess inevitably happen on surfaces you can’t throw in the washing machine (like sofa cushions, chairs, stairs, cars…). A small cleaner like this makes thes mishaps much easier to handle.
Shop the BISSELL Little Green (affiliate link)
6. Pet Stain + Odor Cleaners I Keep on Hand
Because… pets. 😂 Nature’s Miracle Dog Stain & Odor Remover is one of those products I like having ready before I need it. Dogs have accidents, someone gets sick, muddy paws happen.
Our dogs also have a designated potty spot on our deck, but sometimes they miss. This outdoor enzyme cleaner is the first product I’ve personally found that made the lingering urine odor easy for me to deal with.
Shop my outdoor pet enzyme cleaner
Looking for more pet-care systems? Check out the systems I used to make Post-Partum pet-care easier for me.
7. Individual Waterproof Couch Cushion Covers
Kids. Dogs. Snacks. Drinks. Accidents. I wanted protection without one giant couch cover that looks obvious and slides everywhere. These slip over individual cushions, and they’re the first covers I’ve found that I don’t feel like I need to readjust every day. I use low heat or air dry mine to be gentle on the waterproof lining; follow the care directions for your specific covers.
These were life savers for potty training!
Shop the individual cushion covers
8. Waterproof Mattress Protectors
Spills and accidents happen, especially with little kids. I would much rather wash bedding and a mattress protector than try to clean the mattress itself. No one wants to sleep on a stained mattress. I especially like having protectors on guest beds because they give me one less thing to worry about.
Shop the waterproof mattress protector
9. Rechargeable Fabric Shaver
I run a rechargeable fabric shaver over couch cushions, upholstered chairs, and clothing to remove pills and refresh fabric that is starting to look worn. Sometimes the house doesn’t need more cleaning—a few things just need to look refreshed.
Shop my rechargeable fabric shaver
10. A Huge Stack of Microfiber Cloths
This may be the least exciting item here—and one of my most-used systems. I keep a huge stack in a kitchen cabinet and different-colored cloths in the bathrooms so bathroom cloths stay separate. Having plenty clean and ready means I can keep moving while I clean. I wash mine in batches and follow the cloths’ care instructions.
Shop the Amazon Basics microfiber cloths
11. A Shower Head With a Handheld Sprayer
If you’re replacing a shower head anyway, consider one with a handheld spray hose. For me, it has been a game changer for rinsing shower doors, tubs, and walls because I can direct the water exactly where I need it.
Shop a handheld-sprayer shower head
My Biggest Pre-Event Cleaning Tip: Prevent the Mess You Can
The biggest shift for me has been realizing that lowering the cleaning mental load isn’t only about cleaning faster. It’s also about protecting hard-to-clean surfaces, keeping supplies where I use them, and making the easiest cleaning option the one I’m most likely to grab.
Before a party or holiday, I focus on the spaces guests will actually use: the entry, kitchen, main living area, powder room, and guest bedrooms if anyone is staying over. The goal is a home that feels comfortable and welcoming—not a house that looks like nobody lives there.
FAQ
What should I clean first before guests come over?
Start with the areas guests will see and use. I prioritize clutter, the bathroom, kitchen surfaces, floors, and the main living space before worrying about low-impact areas.
How do I make pre-party cleaning less overwhelming?
I spread bigger jobs across the week, keep cleaning tools easy to access, and lower my normal workload where I can.
This is not the week I’m trying to make elaborate dinners too. In fact, I usually make crock-pot meals or throw something on the grill so I have significantly less dishes through the week.
Do I need all of these products?
No. These are products and systems that work in my house. Start with the cleaning problem that takes the most time or causes the most frustration for you.
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