We’ve all been there — your phone buzzes with that fateful text: “Hey! We’re in the area. Mind if we stop by?” Cue the panic. But don’t worry! With my 15-minute speed cleaning fire drill, you’ll have your place looking presentable before they ring the doorbell.

The key? Focus on what actually matters — what guests will see, smell, and use. 

With this 15-minute hack you can feel confident hosting on the fly. Ready, set, go!

T-minus 15 minutes: The blitz

• Grab a laundry basket – Sweep anything out of place (kid’s toys, shoes, mail, rogue socks) into it and stash it in a closet or another room. (Just don’t forget where you put it!)
• Straighten up – Fluff couch pillows, fold throw blankets, and adjust chairs to make things look intentional.
• Wipe down surfaces – Kitchen counters, coffee tables, and the dining room table get a quick swipe with a microfiber cloth or disinfectant wipe.
• Deal with dishes – Stack them in the dishwasher or at least rinse and neatly pile them in the sink. No dishwasher? Hide them in the oven (just remember they’re there!).

Pro Tip: If you have kids, make them your cleaning sidekicks! Little ones can throw toys into a basket, and older kids can wipe surfaces. Make it a game: “Can we beat the timer?!”

T-minus 10 minutes: Floors and smell check

• Take out the trash – Nothing kills the illusion of cleanliness faster than a stinky garbage can. Toss out anything smelly.
• Run the vacuum or a broom – High-traffic areas only: the living room, kitchen, and main entryway. If you don’t have time to vacuum, at least shake out the doormat.
• Fix the first-floor bathroom – Guests will use it. With a quick wipe of the sink, a fresh hand towel, and a quick toilet scrub, the most necessary room will smell reassuringly clean. Bonus: Light a candle!

Pro Tip: If you don’t have time to vacuum or sweep, tell the kids to put on socks and do a “floor skate” on hard surfaces. Dust? Gone.

T-minus 5 minutes: The final touches

T-minus 5 minutes: The final touches

• Set the mood – Open the curtains for natural light, turn on a lamp if it’s dark, and maybe light a candle.
• Fix yourself up – Run a brush through your hair, freshen your breath, and throw on a clean shirt if needed.
• Relax and act natural – Nobody expects perfection. A warm smile and a cheerful attitude will make up for anything you missed.

Pro Tip: Keep a “guest-ready” basket in your entryway or storage closet with a candle, a clean hand towel, and an all-purpose cleaner for emergency refreshes.

How to Prevent Fire Drill Panic

Sometimes prevention is the best solution!

Speed cleaning is great, but wouldn’t it be amazing if last-minute guests were always a happy surprise instead of a source of panic? 

Here’s how to keep your space mostly clean all the time:

 ✅ Declutter one room every day – Less clutter means less to clean when guests pop in. Put your rooms on a weekly rotation and commit to clearing surfaces regularly. For example, Monday might be kitchen counter day; Tuesday is for the dining room sideboards and table. Create a schedule that works for your household.
✅ Keep cleaning supplies accessible – A disinfecting wipe stash in the bathroom or a handheld vacuum in the kitchen can make quick touch-ups painless.
✅ Teach kids simple clean-up habits – Even a three-year-old can help put toys in a bin. Make it a nightly routine. The more you involve every family member in tidying up daily, the easier it is to enlist their help with the unexpected occurs!

And that’s it! Your house is now guest-ready in 15 minutes. Now go answer the door like you totally weren’t just speed-cleaning five seconds ago – and enjoy the company!