You’re getting company in 30 minutes. Your house is a mess. WHAT WILL YOU
DO?
SECRET TIP 1: DOOR LOCKS
If a room clearly can’t be whipped into shape in 30 days – much less 30
minutes – employ the Locked Door Method of cleaning. Tell anyone who tries
to go in the room that the door is intentionally locked. CAUTION: It is not
advisable to use this tip for the bathroom.
Time: 2 seconds
SECRET TIP 2: DUCT TAPE
No home should be without an ample supply. Not only is it handy for plumbing
repairs, but it’s a great way to hem drapes, tablecloths, clothes, just
about anything. No mess, no fuss.
Time: 2-3 minutes
SECRET TIP 3: OVENS
If you think ovens are just for baking, think again. Ovens represent at
least 9 cubic feet of hidden storage space, which means they’re a great
place to shove dirty dishes, dirty clothes, or just about anything you want
to get out of sight when company’s coming.
Time: 2 minutes
SECRET TIP 4: CLOTHES DRYERS
Like Secret Tip 3, except bigger. CAUTION: Avoid hiding flammable objects
here.
Time: 2.5 minutes
SECRET TIP 5: WASHING MACHINES & FREEZERS
Like Secret Tip 4, except even bigger.
Time: 3 minutes
SECRET TIP 6: DUST RUFFLES
No bed should be without one. Devotees of Martha Stewart believe dust
ruffles exist to keep dust out from under a bed or to help coordinate the
colorful look of a bedroom. The rest of us know a dust ruffle’s highest and
best use is to hide whatever you’ve managed to shove under the bed. (Refer
to Secret Tips 3, 4, 5.)
Time: 4 minutes
SECRET TIP 7: DUSTING
The 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House method says: Never dust under what you can
dust around.
Time: 3 minutes
SECRET TIP 8: DISHES
Don’t use them. Use plastic or paper and you won’t have to.
Time: 1 minute
SECRET TIP 9: VACUUMING
Stick to the middle of the room, which is the only place people look. Don’t
bother vacuuming under furniture. It takes way too long and no one looks
there anyway.
Time: 5 minutes, entire house; 2 minutes, living room only
SECRET TIP 10: LIGHTING
The key here is low, low, and lower. It’s not only romantic, but bad
lighting can hide a multitude of dirt.
Time: 10 seconds
SECRET TIP 11: BED MAKING
Get an old-fashioned waterbed. No one can tell if those things are made up
or not, saving you hundreds of seconds over the course of a lifetime.
Time: 0
SECRET TIP 12: SHOWERS, TOILETS, AND SINKS
Forget one and two. Concentrate on three.
Time: 1 minute
SECRET TIP 13:
If you already knew at least 10 of these tips, don’t even think about
inviting a Martha Stewart type to your home.
BONUS TIP
NEVER stop your children from writing their names in the dust on your
furniture. Just don’t let them write the date.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin, www.grif.net
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given