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Clean your house in 10 minutes or less!


Blog by Kim Twohey | November 30th, 2015


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Your Realtor just called and they have clients interested in touring your home.  And. . . they will be here any minute!  Instead of saying “No” to a potential Buyer, use these tips to get your house ready in 10 minutes or less. 

Full disclosure:  these tips will work best if you maintain a general level of cleanliness around the house so be sure to keep on top of things like regular tidying, dusting, vacuuming, and dishes.

Baskets!  Baskets everywhere!

This is the easiest way to keep floors and countertops looking tidy with minimal effort.  Pay attention to the areas that accumulate the most general clutter and get a basket for each area.  Before a showing, throw the clutter into the baskets and worry about putting things in their proper place when you have more time.  This should only take one to two minutes and it is easy enough that your children can help!

Keep surfaces looking shiny and new.

Keep a microfiber cloth or cleaning wipes in your kitchen and every bathroom in your house.  Quickly wipe down and polish counter tops, fixtures, and sinks.  You can do this in two to three minutes. 

Banish smells.

Make sure your home smells great!  Use a lightly scented room spray or diffuse essential oils right before a tour.  Make sure the smell is pleasant and not overpowering.  Keep your room spray or diffusers easily accessible.  It will take less than one minute to spray high traffic rooms or plug in your diffuser.  According to one article, orange, lemon, pine, basil, cedar, vanilla, and cinnamon scents appeal to most Buyers.  

Kick your garbage to the curb!

Well, you do not literally need to put your garbage at the curb, but you do need to empty your garbage cans.  This eliminates unsightly messes and can help with odor control.  Grab a bag and quickly empty each of the garbage cans in your home.  You can do this in two to three minutes.

Light it up.

You have one minute left before potential Buyers arrive so make a quick dash through the house to turn on lights and open up all the window coverings.  This makes your home seem airy, bright, and more inviting.

I actually tested these cleaning tips and timed myself so I know that it is possible.  I did this in a 2300 square foot home with three bathrooms.  The key to success is maintaining a relatively clean home and knowing exactly what needs to be done in the minutes before a Buyer arrives.