With summer socials coming into full swing and warm weather encouraging us to open up our homes for entertaining, creating a welcoming ambience is all part of being a good host.
But with long sunny days and indoor-outdoor living, dirt and dust can build up, falling blossom can mess up patios, the barbecue may be in need of some elbow grease, and keeping everything spick and span can be a challenge.
As Lynsey Crombie, This Morning’s resident home expert, also known for sharing cleaning tips on social media (@lynsey_queenofclean), puts it: “Hosting a summer barbecue, garden drinks, or simply having friends pop over unexpectedly, there’s always that moment of panic where you suddenly start seeing every fingerprint, overflowing bin and dusty corner in the house.
“But the truth is, guests don’t notice perfection, they notice how a home feels.”
Indeed, Crombie says a clean bathroom, fresh-smelling spaces, tidy outdoor areas and a welcoming atmosphere will always make more of an impact than spending hours deep-cleaning every room.
“The key is focusing on the areas people actually use and see first.”
Here, the Queen of Clean shares simple cleaning jobs she always recommends before guests arrive…
Start with the bathroom
“If there’s one room to prioritise before anyone arrives, it’s the bathroom. Give the toilet, sink and taps a proper clean and buff, so everything feels sparkling, fresh and streak-free.
“A shiny tap instantly makes a bathroom look cleaner, even if you’ve only spent a few minutes in there.”
She says to swap in fresh hand towels, top up the toilet roll and empty the bin; wipe over mirrors and surfaces for that fresh hotel-style finish.
“One of my favourite tricks during summer entertaining is adding a few drops of seasonal essential oils onto the inside of toilet roll tubes.
“Citrus, eucalyptus or lavender work beautifully and the scent lingers for days, giving the room a constantly fresh feel without overpowering sprays.”
Clear and freshen the fridge
As Crombie points out, guests nearly always arrive carrying drinks, desserts or extra food, so creating space in the fridge beforehand makes hosting feel far less chaotic.
“Throw away anything out of date, wipe down shelves and drawers, and quickly check for sticky spills or forgotten leftovers hiding at the back.
“A clean, organised fridge also helps your kitchen feel calmer and more under control while entertaining.”
Empty bins, inside and out
Nothing makes a home feel untidy faster than overflowing bins, especially during warmer weather, underlines Crombie.
“Heat attracts smells, flies and even maggots surprisingly quickly, so make sure kitchen and bathroom bins are emptied before guests arrive.
“Don’t forget outdoor bins too,” she adds. “Particularly if you’re entertaining in the garden or serving food outside. A quick rinse or deodorise with bicarbonate of soda can make a huge difference during summer months.”
Eye-up the entrance
“First impressions begin before guests even step through the front door,” highlights Crombie.
“Wipe down the front door, shake out or vacuum doormats, and clear away shoes, coats or clutter from the hallway… so the entrance instantly feels welcoming.”
If you’re hosting indoors and would prefer guests not to wear shoes inside, she says to place a stylish basket or labelled tub near the entrance as a gentle hint for a ‘shoe zone.’
“It keeps floors cleaner and avoids awkward conversations later.”
Garden and outdoor areas
In summer, outdoor spaces become an extension of the home, highlights Crombie, and even a quick refresh can completely transform how they feel.
Tidy your greenery
“Remove dead leaves from planters, hanging baskets and flower pots. It’s a tiny job that instantly makes the garden look more cared for and polished.”
Refresh garden furniture
Wipe down tables and chairs properly, especially armrests and tabletops where pollen and dust settle quickly, she advises.
“If you have outdoor cushions, give them a quick wash, vacuum or shake outside to freshen them up.”
Check the patio
“A quick sweep, hose down or rinse instantly lifts patios, decking and pathways, removing dirt, leaves and debris that can make outdoor spaces feel neglected.”
Clean the barbecue early
If you’re planning to cook outdoors, she suggests cleaning the barbecue before guests arrive, not five minutes before cooking.
“Nobody wants to be scrubbing burnt grills while everyone else is relaxing with a drink.”
Prepare outdoor dining essentials
“Wash garden dining plates, glasses, trays etc ahead of time so everything is ready to grab when needed.
“Being organised beforehand makes entertaining feel far more relaxed,” says the TV presenter and author of cleaning books, including The 15-Minute Clean (Amazon, £12.99).
Don’t forget the small details
Garden rugs can be shaken out or brushed down to instantly freshen up seating areas, suggests Crombie.
Moreover, she says citronella candles and fly fans placed around food tables are brilliant for keeping insects away during summer gatherings “and they genuinely work”.
The final touch
Before guests arrive, Crombie says to open the windows wherever possible and let fresh air move through the house.
“Then do one final walk-through of both your home and garden with fresh eyes.
“Straighten cushions, fluff throws, light a candle if you like and focus on creating an atmosphere that feels relaxed, fresh and welcoming.
“Because ultimately, guests aren’t looking for perfection, they’re looking for warmth, comfort and somewhere they can enjoy themselves,” she says confidently.