The Ultimate 10-Minute Bathroom, Kitchen & Clutter Reset
You know that moment right after your guests leave, when the door shuts, the house goes quiet, and you finally exhale like you just survived a mild natural disaster? Yeah… that moment. Before you collapse on the couch, let me stop you right there. There are a few quick things you should do NOW that will save you hours (and your sanity) later. And trust me, I know what I’m talking about. I’ve cleaned up after everything from simple family dinners… to Super Bowl parties… to Airbnb-level chaos where the guests left behind enough evidence to film an episode of CSI: Kitchen Edition. So consider this your expert-backed, “trust me, I’ve seen some things” post-company reset guide.
1. Reset the Bathroom First (It’s the Quiet Villain of Post-Company Chaos)
The bathroom always looks “fine” at first glance, but it holds more hidden grime than you think.
Start by wiping down the counters, replacing the damp hand towels, giving the toilet a quick clean, emptying the trash (because someone always leaves a mystery tissue), and refilling the soap! Somehow the bottle drops 60% during one visit. Bathroom grime settles FAST, and if you’ve ever had to reset an Airbnb bathroom after guests, you know a quick reset now prevents a hazmat situation later.
2. Attack the Kitchen Next (The Scene of the Crime)
The kitchen is where guests gather, snack, talk, spill things, pretend they didn’t spill things, and “help” in ways that somehow create more mess. Do a fast kitchen triage by clearing the counters, loading and running the dishwasher, wiping the stovetop (even if you didn’t cook, trust me, something splattered), taking out the trash, and spraying the sink to eliminate that classic “party aftermath” smell. And if your trash bag feels suspiciously heavy, congrats, you’ve just experienced the classic Airbnb Guest Behavior Pattern™. Do not investigate. For more kitchen tips, check out our blog article How to Clean Your Kitchen.
3. Clear the Clutter Before It Becomes House Décor
Clutter left behind after company is sneaky. Leave it for “later,” and it WILL camouflage itself into your home for the next three weeks. Quickly return all cups and plates, gather blankets and pillows guests used, toss any random wrappers, put away games, serving trays, and rogue utensils, and do a quick sweep or vacuum pass. This step is the difference between enjoying a peaceful evening and waking up tomorrow wondering whether a college dorm reincarnated itself in your living room.
4. Do the 10-Minute Whole-Home Reset
This is the step that makes your house feel normal again FAST. Set a timer and move like you’re on a cleaning competition show with $1,000,000 on the line. Pick up anything out of place, do a quick walk-through of each room, fold blankets, straighten cushions, and put things back where they belong. This simple reset has saved my sanity after countless gatherings. If you do nothing else… do this.
5. Reward Yourself! But Only After You Do These 3 Things
Before you sit down, make yourself tackle this tiny trio: start the dishwasher, take out the trash, and start a laundry load (towels, table linens, or blankets). Once those three are running, THEN you may flop onto the couch like the victorious action movie hero you are.
You Survived… Now Reset Like a Pro
Hosting is fun, chaotic, and sometimes a little “Why did I think this was a good idea?” But resetting afterward doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These quick, doable steps prevent your home from spiraling into a week-long mess and keep you sane enough to actually enjoy having people over again. And hey! If this post helped you, imagine what the RIGHT cleaning tools could do. Check out my favorite must-have supplies on Amazon and make your next post-company cleanup faster, easier, and way less… Airbnb-aftermath-ish. 🧽✨
