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November 25, 2014 by: Shell

How to Fake a Clean House When You Have Kids

This is a sponsored post with Acorn Influence. 

We’re heading into the holiday season, which for us means lots of company coming over. Mostly, that’s company who also has kids, so they get the whole “family with kids” normal clutter.

But, I still don’t want the house to be a mess. Though it’s hard to keep up since there are so many holiday activities. Here are four ways you can fake a clean house: 

Toys are relegated to the kids’ rooms/toy room. Look, you go into one of my boys’ rooms, you are taking life into your own hands. And I can roll my eyes and say “Yeah, I told him he needs to clean it.” And that can be the end of it. It’s not that I haven’t cleaned, it’s that the kids haven’t- and their rooms shouldn’t be a majorly trafficked area when company is over anyway.

The garage is good for quick storage. The kids’ backpacks, that big mess of shoes they keep by the door: you don’t need them, put them in the garage in one of those big plastic tubs that are empty thanks to the holiday decorations being out.

Serve lots of yummy food. Pay no attention to that pile of holiday debris in the corner, look at all the yummy treats on the table!

Make your house smell good. If it #SmellsClean, it must be clean, right? This is especially important in the bathroom(Febreze Noticeables are a lifesaver there), but a candle or spray can cover a multitude of kiddie stinks. There are so many holiday scents you can find, like Mrs. Claus’ Apple Pie, Sparkling Spruce, and Apple Cinnamon Cheer.

smellsclean

Febreze, AirWick, Glade, and other air care products can easily be picked up as you’re doing the rest of your shopping since you can find them in places like Walmart- they even have super cute holiday displays right now. During the holidays, if I have to make a special trip for something, it probably isn’t happening.

smellsclean

But it’s super convenient to grab these products to help you fake a clean house!

What’s your best tip for quick clean up during the holidays?

 

 

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Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    November 25, 2014 at 9:17 am

    This is hilarious. My youngest son’s room is the only bedroom on the first floor of the house and we literally jam everything into his room and shut the door if we are having people over.

  2. laura says

    November 25, 2014 at 11:03 am

    ok. I laughed, and not just because this is funny, but because it’s SO TRUE!! You know how many times I’ve grabbed all the laundry that I’ve been saying I’m going to get folded that is really just sitting on the couch letting the wrinkles set in and shoved it all in the dryer when last minute company is coming?
    And fresh, new, yummy smell? YES!! Every. Time.

  3. Susi says

    November 25, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Yeah, I’m known for “storing” things out of sight while guests are over and my kids’ rooms are usually a lost cause, especially the teen and tween – I just close the door and try to forget about it. I love using the Glade plugins and right now, the scent I like is Sandalwood. It’s warm and homey, perfect for the holidays.

  4. Jeanine says

    November 25, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    haha! I love this, may have to steal this for sure! I always tidy but some days, this would be much better! haha.

  5. Mitch says

    November 25, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    I would never fake clean my house! Spraying bleach for the clean smell in the bathroom doesn’t count, does it!

  6. Liz Mays says

    November 25, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Hahaha this is too funny. My kids’ idea was to push everything into their closets and under their beds. I guess parents have to do things like that too.

  7. Dawn says

    November 25, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    I love Febreze and some of their new holiday scents! Also, these tips are so true lol!

  8. Shell says

    November 25, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    These are great tips. I feel for those without a garage to be able to stow stuff away when necessary.

  9. Amber says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Oh yes, we store lots of our crap in the garage..

  10. Debra says

    November 25, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    Wait, how could you forget stuffing things into closets? I do that for a quick clean up – easy to hide behind a door!

  11. Julia says

    November 25, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Definitely the playroom one, and I shove everything in our laundry room.

  12. kristin says

    November 25, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Cute tips. we have tons of plus in our house. a house that smells clean is always important.

  13. Melinda says

    November 26, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I’m always burning, spraying or turning on something to make the house smell good. 3 kids and 3 dogs make for a messy house but we smell good

  14. Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says

    November 26, 2014 at 11:07 am

    My best tip… hmmm! Shove everything in the junk room. lol I’m kidding because that junk room is the guest bedroom as well. Darn! I just do the best I can and if my guests don’t like it well then next time they can stay home. lol

  15. Amanda says

    November 26, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    The new holiday collection smells so good!! We have them all throughout the house!

  16. Tiffany (A Mom's Take) says

    November 26, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    Oh yes, the smell of deception. Works every time.

  17. Cynthia Wheeler says

    November 26, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    I will settle for fake clean every day of the week. At this point, I am ready to just throw everything out and start over!

  18. Krystal's Kitsch says

    November 26, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    We hide stuff like crazy! Surprisingly the playroom is the only room in our house right now that’s clean!

  19. Tracey says

    November 26, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    This is an awesome post! I do the exact same things you do! A great smell fools everyone.

  20. Debbie Denny says

    November 26, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    I agree. If it smells clean it is clean… am I right! lol

  21. Ann Bacciaglia says

    November 26, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    These are great quick cleaning tips. I like to bake cookies if i have company coming over. Makes the house smell great and gives me a great snack to serve.

  22. Amy Desrosiers says

    November 26, 2014 at 9:37 pm

    Having a clean house is awesome! I agree that a fresh smelling house makes everything better!

  23. Rosey says

    November 26, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    The last time I put a house up for sale, the realtor told me to bake apple pie before people came to see the house. She said the homey nice smell was always a winner. I didn’t do it, but I still remember her saying it. 🙂 Smells matter. 😉

  24. Kiwi says

    November 27, 2014 at 12:15 am

    Honestly one of my tips is to use Febreeze products!!! So we are on the same page!

  25. Nicole says

    November 27, 2014 at 7:01 am

    I adore febrez and some of their new occasion aromas. Additionally.. these tips are so genuine lol….

  26. Christie says

    November 28, 2014 at 1:05 am

    I definitely hide things in the garage! These are great tips for quick holiday clean up!

  27. Shannon Gosney says

    November 29, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    That’s a funny one! Serve lots of food – that’s definitely what I do!

  28. Tonia says

    November 30, 2014 at 8:57 am

    I totally used the febreze tip the other day. One hour before I was having a party, my husband discover a garbage disposal leak and a stinky puddle of water under the cabinet.

  29. Toni says

    December 4, 2014 at 6:32 am

    Love the “Yeah I told him to clean his room” excuse. That is classic. My secret is to use car fragrance hangers through the house to make it smell good 🙂

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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