Guests Coming to Stay? We Highly Recommend You Clean These Things (Because They're Going to Look!)

Got guests coming to stay at your home? Of course you want to put your best foot forward to ensure they feel welcome and comfortable, but let's face it: Our homes are also a reflection of us. So be sure to make your space neat and tidy — because even if you don't think they'll notice certain things, trust us, they will.

Here are some quick and easy items you may want to clean just in case.

Clean Under the Bed

To start, check that nothing has accidentally made its way under the bed or been pushed under the bed for hiding. If you need to store things under the guest bed, place those items in small bins that fit under the bed. Use a dust wand or vacuum cleaner attachment to remove any dust, pet hair, or debris that has accumulated under the bed.

Book Shelves, Dressers, and Side Tables

Dust and wipe down any shelves, side tables, or dressers in the guest room. Since guest rooms aren't typically used on a regular basis, dust, pet hair, and spiderwebs tend to accumulate on surfaces.

Sometimes guest rooms become a storage room for anything in the home that isn't currently being used, so to make your guests feel comfortable, straighten any items on shelves and put away things that have been stacked in the guest room for temporary storage. You can place any items that don't have a home in a basket or storage tote and store under the bed or in the closet. (Also, is it time to Marie Kondo your guest room and organize/get rid of things?!)

Be sure to remove any private personal items from drawers in the guest room. (Sometimes, drawers in guest rooms can be used to store bills, tax returns, and other personal items.) If there is something you'd like to keep private, store it elsewhere during guest visits.

Freshen Bed Linens

Even if you don't think that the bed linens on the guest bed are dirty, it's a good idea to clean them anyway. Bed linens can start to smell musty if they haven't been moved around in a while. Nothing makes a guest feel more welcome than a clean, fresh bed to tuck into at night! Also, while you're at it, it might be time to give the mattress a quick cleaning, too.

Whether your guests will be using a shared bathroom or have their own guest bathroom, it's a good idea to give the space a good cleaning before guests arrive! (And when we say good, we mean a top to bottom scrubbing.) Your guests should feel like the bathroom is as clean and sanitary as a hotel bathroom would be!

Clean the Shower Head

Give the shower head a scrub using white vinegar. Mildew and iron can cause buildup in your shower head jets, and it's not something we think about cleaning often.

Wipe Down Bathroom Fixtures

Give all of the fixtures, including your sink faucet and your toilet, a good wipe down using a mix of half water and half vinegar. This will help kill any bacteria, and the smell will not linger.

Clean Around the Base of the Toilet

Urine can build up around the base of your toilet, and you may not even know it's there. Spray a generous amount of half vinegar and half water around the base of your toilet and let sit for up to 5 minutes. Wipe the mixture up with a clean towel.

Scrub the Inside of the Toilet

Give the inside of the toilet a good scrubbing, and be sure to wipe down the toilet seat and lid as well. (You might want to give the tank a little attention, too.)

Clean Underneath the Bathroom Sink

Be sure to straighten up and clean under the bathroom sink. Make sure it is stocked with extra toilet paper, towels, and washcloths. When guests can't find something they need in the restroom, under the sink is the first place they will look!

When your guest bedroom and bathroom are clean, it tells your guests that you want them to feel as welcome and comfortable as they would be in their own home. If you want to go the extra mile to make them feel special, add a basket full of travel-size toiletries, some snacks, a pair of slippers, and maybe even a bathrobe to the guest bedroom. Be sure there are plenty of towels and washcloths to use along with fresh soap, shampoo, and conditioner!