With the Holidays upon us, it’s time to start preparing for house Guests. With Covid 19 being a prime factor, there will be more cleaning necessary during their stay. We will help you navigate by giving you the tips and tricks you will need.
First, we need to make sure you are ready to take on all the new people into your Home. Are you ready for a possible Covid 19 Carrier to stay in your home? Are you prepared to have them Quarantine in your home for 2 weeks if they do catch the Virus? How do you safely get from point A to point B? Does the state you’re traveling to require you to quarantine for two weeks on arrival? Does your home state expect you to quarantine for two weeks on your return? How many generations of family can one safely invite? And what are you going to do about Uncle Frank, who dismisses the disease as a “scamdemic” and won’t wear a mask?
If you have agreed that you can Handle all the above-mentioned Scenarios, Keep reading. If not, you might need to make some phone calls and get yourself out of Hosting this year. For the ones who are Hosting, Let’s dive in.
Preparing for houseguests doesn’t have to be hard, but there are some simple things you can do to make a big impact. The Host/Hostess wants Their guests to feel welcome from the time they arrive to the time they say their goodbyes. You will want to make a good impression from the moment they step through the door. An impression that your mother would be proud of you for making.
Things You Need to Do Before Houseguests Arrive.
Deep clean the bathrooms:
Bathrooms are perhaps the one crucial point in the house where all humans — and therefore microbes — pass through. So during the present pandemic, keeping your toilets, sinks, counters and showers as germ-free as possible is key to keeping you and your family healthy.
As you get ready to clean your bathroom, start by making sure to wash your hands.
Clean
- Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect.
- Clean surfaces using soap and water, then use disinfectant.
- Cleaning with soap and water reduces number of germs, dirt and impurities on the surface. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces.
- Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
- More frequent cleaning and disinfection may be required based on level of use.
- Surfaces and objects in public places, such as shopping carts and point of sale keypads should be cleaned and disinfected before each use.
- High touch surfaces include:
- Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
Disinfect
- Disinfect with a household disinfectant (Clorox Multi Surface Cleaner or Bleach).
- Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product.
Many products recommend:
- Keeping surface wet for a period of time. Normally between 3 to 5 Minutes is adequate, however see the product label for exact time.
- Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
If products on List Nexternal are not available, diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
- Use bleach containing 5.25%–8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified.
- Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions for the surface, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute.
- Ensure proper ventilation during and after application.
- Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date.
- Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. This can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in.
Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per gallon of room temperature water OR
- 4 teaspoons of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per quart of room temperature water
- Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.
- Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol may also be used.
It’s important to focus on cleaning “high-touch” areas of your bathroom including light switches, doorknobs and the sink areas in particular. That can also include less obvious areas everyone in the house likely touches, including shower heads, shower curtains and around the toilet seat. That includes hair dryers, electric toothbrushes, shavers or other appliances in the bathroom. After you wipe down with (Clorox Multi Surface Cleaner or Bleach) hard surfaces like sinks and counter tops, make sure to leave them wet for 3 to 5 minutes. Then wipe dry using a fresh clean rag.
Clean all other rooms of the house/Apartment following the same Covid cleaning protocols.
Remember, A clean house is a welcoming one.
Next step is, Making the home Comfortable and appealing to our Guests. This is an Important step since we want our Guests to feel like Family. The steps are easy but could be time consuming, so start early.
Declutter:
The reason hotel rooms feel so dreamy. They’re stripped down to the essentials. Think of your guest room as a boutique hotel with slightly more personal touches. And remove anything embarrassing or personal—even a robe on the back of the bathroom door—from shared baths.
Write a welcome note:
A handwritten note shows that your guest’s visit is a delight, not an imposition. And it’s just plain Courteous. You could include soma facts about your area to include; local attractions, Parks, walking trails, Coffee shops, closest Grocery stores and Gas stations, Closet Walmart, and a restaurant guide. You could also include a Family Newsletter to keep them up to date with your Families happenings.
Stock the bedside table:
some well-chosen reading material would be nice(Short stories and magazines are great, as are easy-to-read, practical books), The TV Remote with a Channel Guide, Pen and Paper, some electronic wipes for their devices, a house key, the house alarm code, and your phone number. Fresh flowers—or even a festive table piece would add a magical touch.
You Can Always Count on Candles:
Set a warm, relaxed mood by placing candles. Not only will your home smell wonderful, but it’ll provide the perfect ambience for the holidays, too.
Make a snack center:
Bottled water, some soda or Juice, dried fruit, chocolate, microwave popcorn or popped corn in a sealed bag, some nuts, some candies, some snack cakes, and packs of Jerky. This will allow them to snack as they choose without interrupting anyone.
Set up a coffee/Tea station:
Some guests rise early, some stay up late. But no one wants to knock on your door because they can’t find the coffee filters. Make it easy for them to help themselves. You could arrange the necessary items in a basic or Plastic container. Be sure to provide; Coffee/teacups, Coffee/ tea, Spoons, Creamers, Sugar options, Honey, and some items to spice up their drinks like Liquors and syrups.
FIND SPACE FOR A SUITCASE:
It can be a fold out rack, a shelf, or even a closet. Whatever it is, make sure there’s a spot for your visitor’s bag.
CLEAR A SHELF OR DRAWER:
Some guests like to unpack a little to feel more at home. Even if they prefer to live out of their suitcases, having a clear shelf to put their smaller bags, books, etc. is certainly helpful.
MAKE THE BED look and smell BEAUTIFUL:
Make sure everything has been washed and that the bed is made up nicely. I like to use at least one lightweight and one heavyweight blanket in addition to the bedspread or quilt. It leaves options! Try to provide extra pillows and an extra Blanket. You can make them smell amazing by using a Lavender smelling fabric softener and dryer sheet. Little chocolate mints on each pillow is always appreciated as well.
PROVIDE A SOUND MACHINE:
Whether it’s a desktop fan or an actual sound machine, something to block out the noises of a strange house can work wonders for sleep. You could even get a mini waterfall.
PUT OUT FRESH TOWELS:
Make sure your Guests have a complete set of Towels that they can use. This includes; a Body Towel, Wash Cloth, hair towel, and Hand towel. Make sure he or she can find those towels easily.
Supply BASIC TOILETRIES:
Shampoo, Conditioner, Bodywash, a new Loofah or Sponge, Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Mouthwash, lotion, tissues, Nail trimmers and Emory boards, and Q-tips. Soft Fuzzy socks or Slippers would be a great way to show you want them to be comfortable as well. Keep them on hand and accessible. We suggest having travel size bottles or refillable bottles. You could arrange them in a Basket or a Plastic container.
ENSURE PLUGS ARE ACCESSIBLE:
These days, everyone needs a spot for device charging, and you want your guests to feel at ease. Having all the outlets hidden behind furniture is not going to help them feel like they have everything they need! They might not be beautiful but be sure to have a power strip or extension cord by the nightstand and/or dresser to make things easily accessible.
SHARE YOUR WI-FI PASSWORD:
Nothing says, “Make yourself at home!” quite like access to the wifi. You could write it down on a colorful paper and frame it in a little picture frame on the nightstand, dresser, or wall.
ADD SOMETHING FESTIVE:
It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but a little wreath, a set of bells, a pumpkin candle, or some fresh flowers can go a long way towards helping a space feel appropriately celebratory for whatever occasion has brought your guests to your home.
Add Night Lights:
Even though you can navigate your home blindfolded, your guests can’t. Make sure outside lights are working so they don’t trip on the way to your door. Put motion-activated night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms to ensure safe passage after the sun sets.
Make the bathtub safe:
- outfit each tub with a bathmat (to avoid falls)
- Get shower caddies for each person to prevent an overflow of Hygiene products in the shower. They can store them in their rooms. you can find these at Dollar stores.
- Hang up Loofahs on the shower curtain by attaching extra curtain rings to the existing rings so they hang from them. Or get another shower rod and put on the other wall and hang items there.
Make Space in the Entryway:
Your home’s foyer is the first-place guests see, so make a good first impression.
- Place a small rug or welcome mat at the entrance to protect floors from mud and snow.
- Clear out unnecessary shoes, umbrellas, and other clutter.
- Add extra hooks to walls so guests can hang coats and hats. You could also provide rubber made bins for these items.
- Add a storage bench where guests can remove boots and shoes. You could also provide rubber made bins for these items.
Stock Each Bathroom with Plenty of Toilet Paper:
Make sure your Guests can find the extra Toilet paper. You could put them in a basket or wrap them in clear plastic and arrange them on the back of the toilet.
Make sure the Plunger and toilet brush are clean and visible:
Clean the plunger well and make it available behind or beside the toilet.
Clean the Toilet brush well and make it available behind or beside the toilet.
Make sure Sanitary Napkins are available:
Have some Maxi Pads and Tampons in a basket or bag for your guests displayed under the bathroom sink or beside the toilet.
Have trash cans available:
Be sure to have some trash cans in the guest bathroom and bedroom with extra trash bags for your guests to use.
For smaller Guests (Children):
Provide some games, coloring books, outdoor toys, bath toys, and even some books.
I hope this post has helped you prepare for your Holiday Guests. After all, Guests are like Family and we want to show them we care about them. If this post helped you in the slightest, please be sure to; Like, Comment, share, and Subscribe via my Home page.
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