If the first thing you do when you walk into a friend or family members home is notice how tidy it is, then join the club.
According to a new study, a picky two thirds of us admit we notice if a house is messy, smelly or untidy within five minutes of entering.
A whopping 60% of us pick up on the smell, while over half of us admit we scan the house to make sure it’s clean.
This is probably why a fifth of us are constantly stressed about not being ready for unexpected visitors and why an overwhelming 45% of us would even consider hiding out and not opening the door when friends and family turn up without warning.
And who is the one person we most dread turning up unexpectedly? Well, a quarter of those polled by Ambipur Destinations say a knock on the door from the mother-in-law is enough to get us breaking into a cold sweat, while a fifth say it’s our friends who induce the most panic.
To help you make sure your home is guest ready this summer, domestic goddess Anthea Turner and have teamed up to share their 'essential entertaining tips' to stop you from cowering behind the curtains;
1. If you need to make a quick sweep around the house to clear up, make sure you keep a box or cupboard free where you can put all your unwanted clutter so surfaces look clear, neat and tidy.
2. If you have more time to clean, make sure you only tackle the surfaces that are going to be seen or used.
Allow yourself ten to fifteen minutes for each room if possible and grab a new clean cloth and wipe every surface you see.
3. Ensure your home is filled with wonderful inspiring scents to welcome guests when they enter.
4. Make sure you have a few chilled beverages kept in the fridge to offer guests and make you all feel at ease when they first arrive.
5. Take a minute to breathe and relax before your guests arrive. Ensuring your mood is calm can set the mood for the remainder of the evening.
Tagged in Anthea Turner