Hospitality at home-How to fake a clean house

Hospitality at home – how to fake a clean house

I’m running a bit short on time today, which actually ties in well for the topic of inviting people into your home with little advance notice. Yikes!

We often discuss the importance of hospitality.

Let’s take the pressure off a bit…I want to encourage you to not make entertaining such a big deal.

Getting prepared is often described as a HUGE deterrent when we consider having company. I believe that if we have a home, a space…we all benefit when we invite people into them.

We labor to make a house a home, then every time we’re expecting visitors, we rush to turn it back into a house. – Robert Brault

But we are often short on time, aren’t we?  Stretched. Overwhelmed. That contributes to the false idea (I used to believe it too!) that the whole house had to be spotless to have people over. Wrong.

Tidy? Sure.

Sterile? Not necessary.

how to make your house look clean fast

Grab a multi-purpose cleaner and a few rags:

• Wipe counters and sinks
• Grab an empty laundry basket and walk around putting things in that go in other rooms. For now, stash away to be sorted later
• Wipe down the bathroom, making sure to check under the toilet seat
• Sweep and vacuum the areas people will be in only
• Open the windows to let in fresh air for a bit

The homes I like the best are totally occupied, busy, and useful, whether it’s a tiny little house or a great big one. Rarely do you find a great big house that’s used in a good way. So I prefer smaller spaces that are full of things that people are doing. – Martha Stewart

• Pick up the entryway and if time, clear the doorway outside of debris
• If you have pets, take a piece of tape or lint roller and run over furniture
• Still have a few minutes? For a casual get-together, don’t underestimate the power of a tray. It has been amazing over the years to see how special people feel when we set out a tray, put a cloth napkin on it, a pitcher or teapot and some pretty glasses. Maybe a small plate of some snack (it REALLY doesn’t matter what, I promise that it’s the presence of it that is the present)

Clean the house AFTER people leave

I realized that I was dog tired before people came, and then cleaned thoroughly AGAIN after people left. Can you relate?

So, simplify before (we do want people to be comfortable) and clean when they leave (we want to be comfortable too).

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. – Nancie J. Carmody

After all, the joy of people over in reality often means spilled items, tracked in foot debris, etc.

That is life. We all live it too. Enjoy the people and keep it simple.

PS. check out this post about how one avocado changed a life when one friend invited me into an impromptu life-changing encounter, messy house and all.

Great homemaking resources:

• Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary Christians: A Radical Approach to Preparing Your Heart & Home for Gospel-Centered Community
• The Lost Art of Hospitality: Making People Feel Welcome in Your Home 
• Just Open the Door – Bible Study Book: A Study of Biblical Hospitality
• Not Just A Mom: The Extraordinary Worth of Motherhood & Homemaking 
• Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul
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