10 Things I Always Do Before Guests Arrive
Nothing fills me with joy quite like opening my home to guests. It’s one of my greatest pleasures, and I try to do it as often as I can. However, as much as I treasure these moments, I’m an introvert at heart and I get easily overstimulated. This means that in order to not get burnt out by having people over I need to plan for downtime after large gatherings — and also make cleanup as efficient as possible. Through the years, I’ve picked up some habits that always make cleanup easier. Many of them involve things I do before our gatherings because I know I’ll be wiped out afterward. Read below for my go-to tips.
1. Wash pots and pans beforehand.
Having to soak and scrub pots and pans with stuck-on food is more work than necessary, and the last thing you want to have to deal with after a party! Clean up cookware before your guests arrive. Not only are you knocking out tasks so you don’t have to do them later, but you’re also creating a clean space to work and hang out in while people are there (because you know they’re all going to end up in the kitchen).
2. Empty trash cans before guests arrive.
Making sure that trash cans are empty before guests arrive also accomplishes two objectives: You won’t have an overflowing bin, and you’ll ensure there are no unpleasant odors lingering in your kitchen.
3. Clear out the sink.
Cleanliness begets cleanliness. A clean sink to start off helps keep it that way. And, as with the other preparations that make after-party cleanup easier, a clean sink creates a calmer space to enjoy while the guests are over.
4. Empty the dish rack.
Emptying the dish rack makes it ready for the dishes that will need to get put on there later. This prevents bottlenecks from happening that would make cleaning up after the gathering slow and frustrating.
5. Run and empty the dishwasher.
Running and emptying the dishwasher means that you’ll be able to start loading it with dirty dishes right when guests leave.
6. Get to-go containers ready.
If you know you’ll be sending leftovers home with guests, pull them out beforehand so they’re easy to grab and fill in the bustle of everyone saying goodbye and leaving. Making it easy to send food home with guests also keeps waste to a minimum.
7. Serve food in containers that double as food storage.
If possible, serve food in the same containers you’ll use to store any leftovers that you’re going to keep. That way you can simply put on a lid and stick it in the fridge instead — no extra dishes required!
8. Keep furniture in place as much as possible.
Rather than moving furniture around to accommodate the largest groups possible, consider allowing your guests to spread out. Smaller groups are more conducive to conversation anyway. In our house, this looks like letting guests eat in the kitchen and dining rooms instead of bringing chairs into the family room so everyone can be in the same space. This allows people to spread into the living room, family room, and kitchen, and we don’t have to move a bunch of furniture back where it belongs once they all leave.
9. Create a designated spot for guests’ belongings.
It’s good to plan a spot for guests to leave their bags, coats, and other belongings. Not only will this keep the house from getting cluttered, but it’ll also create a central spot for people to drop off their belongings and gather them when they leave. Additionally, it’ll reduce the number of items that get left behind.
10. Remember you don’t have to clean up everything right away.
As much as you plan ahead and would like everything to be clean expediently, it might not be possible to tackle everything right away. Accept this and you’ll be far less frustrated than if you end up wearing yourself out trying to do something that would be better off put on hold. Sometimes it’s more important to relax and recharge than it is to make sure your house is clean.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: 10 Things I Always Do Before Guests Arrive (It Makes Cleaning When They Leave Easier!)
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