You made a match! Guests will soon be on their way to spend extended time at your home. Cleaning your home before they arrive is an essential ingredient in the recipe for a successful stay.

To help you prepare your home, we’ve compiled a helpful cleaning checklist. The Sabbatical Homes scholarly community standard of clean: A+.

Living Room: Let your guests live fully 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.
• Clean throw blankets/linens.
• Dust large pieces of furniture.
• Wipe down windows and mirrors.
• Vacuum/sweep the space.

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

• Declutter (pack and store personal items away).
• Change the sheets and make the beds.
• Dust large pieces of furniture.
• Clean up cobwebs and wipe down windows.
• Vacuum/sweep the space.

 Bathrooms: It’s hard to feel squeaky clean in a bathroom that’s anything but, so be sure to spend some time scrubbing it down!

• Declutter (pack and store personal items away and leave ample countertop space for your guest).
• Scrub the sink, counter and faucet and give it a quick rinse.
• Clean the tub, shower, and toilet.
• Clean the mirrors.
• Take out the trash.
• Sweep and mop.
• Ensure you’ve stocked staples: toilet paper, hand soap, clean towels and washcloths.

Kitchen: Sugar, spice, and everything nice. The most-loved room in any home certainly deserves some freshening up.

• Declutter (remove stray countertop items to leave ample space for your guest).
• 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 clean dishes.
• Pack away and store any delicate, or sentimental, dishware.
• Clean windows.
• Sweep and mop.
• Ensure you’ve stocked staples: paper towels, hand soap, clean dish towels and napkins.

Outside. If the weather permits, cleanliness should too!

• Wash or wipe down cushions.
• Hose down the deck or patio.
• Toss out and replace melted citronella candles.
• Wipe the table.

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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