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The festive season is a time for getting together with friends and family – some of whom you might not have seen all year. And while it’s great to host gatherings, entertaining can be hard on your home. Here are tips to minimise the mess and make things a little easier this year.
GUARD YOUR ENTRYWAY
“A mud-catching doormat can help prevent a good amount of dirt from getting tracked all over your floor or carpet,” says Jamie Novak, author of Keep This Toss That. In fact, consider using two mats – one in front of the other – outside your front door so guests are forced to step on them before entering.
TRIPLE-LINE YOUR BINS
Adding extra black bags or bin liners ensures there’s always another one ready when it’s time to take a full bag out. As an added precaution, line the bottom of the bins with newspaper to catch any leaks.
BUY CHEAP TOILET PAPER
Although you might be keen to impress your guests with your posh loo paper, remember two-ply doesn’t flush as easily as one-ply. And that can be a recipe for disaster when the toilet’s in demand. Besides, one-ply is loads cheaper. And it’s just a toilet – you can impress your guests in other ways.
HIDE VALUABLES
It’s not that you don’t trust your guests but what’s the harm in being cautious, right? You can also lock doors to bedrooms (great for keeping out little kids you can’t keep an eye on all the time) or, if you’re having a party, string a strand of lights or ribbon across a doorway or across the foot of the stairs if you live in a double-storey to let guests know which areas are off limits.
PILE ON THE THROWS
Using slip covers and throws is a great way to protect your furniture from red-wine spills, greasy food stains and dirty little feet. They’re also a good way to make tired furniture look a little better – that dark mark you’ve been meaning to take care of for ages disappears under a trendy throw.
BOLSTER YOUR BATHROOM
When you entertain, the bathroom is often the room that most needs guest-proofing. Move medication up high in the cabinet, out of reach of children. Prevent guests from rummaging through cupboards by filling baskets with extra toilet paper, hand soap, hand towels or air freshener. Keep a plunger in reach of the toilet just in case – guests are more likely to use one in private if they block the plumbing than seeking you to ask for help.
PROTECT WOODEN SURFACES
Give the coffee table, dinner table and kitchen countertops a good coat of polish before you entertain. The extra layer of protection will cause spilt water or wine to bead so you have more time to wipe it up before it soaks in. Also, be sure to put out plenty of coasters in strategic spots.
H2O HELPER
Fill a spray bottle with clean water and use it to quickly spritz any accidental carpet or upholstery stains. When you get a gap, blot with a cloth. This will keep stains from setting and make them easier to remove after your guests have gone home.
SOURCES: REALTOR.COM, GOODHOUSEKEEPING.COM, NASREALTY.COM, MAIDS.COM
