8 things to clean before company comes

7. SCRUB THE GUEST BATHROOM​ Inevitably someone at the party will need to use the restroom. Make sure it is sparkling clean. If you aren’t having overnight guests, skip the shower and close

the curtain to focus on the toilet, sink and trash.​ For white porcelain sinks, Stapf recommends cleaning with a mixture of three tablespoons baking soda, one tablespoon dish soap and a

quarter cup warm water. This will restore the sink back to shiny white in no time.​ To sanitize the entire toilet — the seat and rim, handles, along with the toilet bowl — use a disposable

cloth or sponge to wipe down. For the inside of the toilet, use a toilet bowl cleaner or a DIY solution that Stapf recommends: one cup distilled or boiled water with a half cup baking soda

and a half cup castile soap. Spray the interior of the toilet, let it sit for 10 minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush.​ Disposable hand towels are a pretty addition to the guest

bathroom and are more sanitary than a communal hand towel. And don’t forget to empty the bathroom trash can.​ 8. REMOVE THE STINK​ Your house may be clean, but don’t forget to think about

unpleasant odors to which you may have become accustomed. If you have cats, empty the litter box. Take out the trash before guests come over, and have a few extra bag liners in each trash

can to make it easy to take out additional trash later.​ Finally, add some fragrance. ​ “Brewing a pot of coffee is a great way to add a nice scent to your home, especially for those

sensitive to smells,” Landrum says. ​ You could also simmer a pot of festive aromatics on the stove, such as cinnamon sticks, orange or lemon peels, vanilla bean, and cranberries. ​ Candles

or indoor air fresheners work too. Just make sure the scent isn’t too overpowering, or your guests could end up with a headache.​ All set? Relax and enjoy your clean house and your company.

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