6 Key Areas to Clean After Houseguests Leave to Restore Your Home

Whether you’re hosting for a holiday, a special event, or a brief or extended stay, having guests is a lovely experience—but it can also mean a lot of cleaning. The work doesn’t end when your guests head out. While you might be craving a moment of peace in your quieter home, your space probably needs a little rejuvenation before you can fully relax. Here’s a handy checklist for cleaning up after your visitors and preparing for the next ones.

Remove Bedding and Change the Sheets

After your guests have departed, the first task on your list should be to clean the bed linens. Rochelle Wilkinson from Dirt Detective Cleaning in Baltimore, Md. suggests removing all bedding down to the mattress pad and washing the sheets and blankets. For a guest room, it's best to use a down alternative fluffy comforter inside a duvet cover, which can be washed between guests for a fresh feel.

It's wise to have two sets of bedding available so you don't have to rush into laundry right after your guests leave.

Take the time to clean the guest room thoroughly after your visitors depart.

Wilkinson recommends giving the guest room a detailed cleaning, including dusting and vacuuming, right after your guests leave so it's ready for the next set of visitors. However, if more than a month will pass before your next guests arrive, it's best to perform a light dusting and refresh the room just before they come. This is particularly important for people who suffer from allergies, as dust-free surroundings are crucial.

Ensure the pillows and blankets are refreshed or restocked as necessary to make the room welcoming for your next guests.

In addition to washing the pillows and blankets, it's also an ideal time to take stock of the room's supplies to ensure your next guests have everything they need for a comfortable stay. Wilkinson suggests having at least two pillows per guest and a variety of blankets, including a heavier one for colder months and a lighter throw for warmer months.

Tidy up the bathroom after your guests leave.

If your guest stayed for only a short time, you may not need to deep clean, but it's a good idea to refresh the bathroom. This includes cleaning tubs, showers, toilets, and sinks, especially during cold season. 'You want to make sure to eliminate any lingering germs that might affect your family or future visitors,' Wilkinson advises.

Be sure to replace any used bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths with fresh ones.

Ensure the bathroom is fully stocked with all necessary supplies and toiletries for your next guest.

When assessing your guest spaces, bathroom supplies should be a top priority. After your guests have left, ensure you're not running low on essentials like toilet paper, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. 'This way, your guests won't have to ask if they forgot anything,' says Wilkinson. 'I also recommend keeping a fresh toothbrush in its packaging, toothpaste, pain relievers, tampons, band-aids, safety pins, and a hair tie.'

Make sure extra toilet paper is easy to find. It's a good idea to keep an open basket of spare rolls near the toilet—no one wants to search for more when they run out. Also, don't forget to replenish any nearly-empty hand soap pumps or replace worn-out bars of soap.

Restocking these bathroom essentials now will help you reduce the last-minute tasks or shopping you’ll need to do right before your next guests arrive.

Add a few finishing touches to the guest room to make it even more welcoming for your next visitors.

While it's not a must, adding a few extra touches to the guest room can make a big difference for your next guests. This could include tissues (even a small travel pack tucked in a nightstand drawer works) and bottled water. Wilkinson recommends two bottles per guest, or you can opt for a carafe filled with tap or filtered water along with a glass on the nightstand.

One clever detail that Wilkinson recommends is printing the WiFi password and framing it on the nightstand. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate—just a simple frame that matches the room’s decor. This is also a great place to share other useful info about the house, like how to unlock a tricky window or power on the television.