How To: Clean Your Home For Guests

You’ve made a match on SabbaticalHomes! Guests will soon be on their way to your home, so it’s key to take the time to organize and clean your home before they arrive for a successful stay.

To help you prepare your home, we’ve compiled a helpful cleaning checklist for the different areas of your home.

Related: Tenant Move In Checklist for a Seamless Experience

Create an Inviting, Clean Living Room

Let your guests fully enjoy their stay in your space by making it fresh and inviting.

• Declutter: pack and store personal items away

• Vacuum Couches, and while you’re at it–fish out any hidden treasures from under your sofa cushions

• Straighten and fluff throw pillows

• Wash any throw blankets or linens

• Dust large pieces of furniture

• Wipe down windows and mirrors

• Vacuum and sweep/mop the floors

Cozy, Uncluttered Bedrooms

Give your guests the gift of sweet dreams in a clean, cozy space.

• Declutter and pack away personal items

• Clean out space in the closets, dresser drawers and surfaces for your tenants to put their things

• Change the sheets and make the beds

• Dust large pieces of furniture

• Remove any cobwebs in the corners and wipe down windows

• Vacuum and sweep/mop the floors

A Squeaky Clean Bathroom is Always Welcome

Spend some time scrubbing the bathroom down so guests arrive and feel welcomed and comfortable.

• Declutter, pack and store personal items away

• Leave ample countertop space for your guests

• Scrub the sink, counter and faucet

• Scrub the tub, shower, and toilet

• Clean the mirrors

• Take out the trash

• Sweep and mop

• Ensure you’ve stocked the staples: toilet paper, hand soap, fresh towels and washcloths

Invite your Guests to Enjoy a Sparkling Kitchen

The most-loved room in any home certainly deserves some freshening up. We all spend a lot of time in our kitchens, even if we don’t cook at home all the time. Here are ways to prepare your kitchen for your guests to seamlessly utilize the space.

• Declutter and remove stray countertop items to leave ample space

• Clear out cupboards so your tenants have a place to put groceries away

• Clean the sink and countertop

• Wipe down appliances

• Scrub stovetop and oven door

• Toss expired food from your fridge to make room for your guests’ groceries

• Run the dishwasher and put away dishes

• Pack away and store any delicate or sentimental dishware

• Spray and wipe down windows

• Sweep and mop

• Ensure you’ve stocked the staples: paper towels, hand soap, fresh dish towels and napkins

Outdoor Areas Need to be Cleaned Too

If you have an outdoor space, make sure your yard, garden or balcony is cleaned up and ready for your guests to enjoy.

• Hose down the deck or patio

• Wash or wipe down any cushions on furniture

• Wipe the table

• Toss out and replace melted citronella candles

Ensuring your home is clean for your guests’ comfort is a gesture that will not go unnoticed. Your thoughtfulness, and cleanliness will be greatly appreciated!

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