I go too long in between mani/pedis, we rarely go out to dinner, and I last washed my hair with store-brand shampoo (don’t tell my hairdresser haha). BUT, one splurge for which I would rather sacrifice and eat Ramen every night before giving up, is our cleaning lady. With our hectic schedules, knowing that at least our home is reasonably maintained gives me peace of mind that I wouldn’t trade. However, even though (who I will refer to as) “Paula” spoils us every couple of weeks and we never have to do “the big stuff” ourselves, our house would be disgusting if we didn’t make time for a little maintenance (seriously- check out some of the before photos below before I brought out the Hope’s). And, said “maintenance” is usually scheduled the same day that company is coming. Have you seen that YouTube video? (If not, I shared a little clip last night in my Instagram stories 😉 ) Unfortunately, screaming to your family (my husband) to not sit on the couch because “no one can know we actually live here!” is a little too familiar in our home. If you can relate, read on; you won’t want to miss an incredible giveaway at the bottom of this post!
Over the years, I’ve gotten smarter about our “company is coming” routine. Did I used to stress over the details in our bedroom, waaaaay upstairs, even if I was running behind and it was likely no one would see it? Yes… but not anymore. I have since developed a series of what I call “hot zones” – common areas of the house that guests will occupy which should be the focus of my efforts. Remember that ladies night (HERE) I hosted a couple of weeks ago? Well, get ready for some real-life progress photos because I documented the entire day leading up to the point of my guests arriving. I have almost perfected my “company is coming” routine so not only was I able to slay those “hot zones”, but I also laundered bedding for three guest rooms and photographed my Fall Home Tour.
I started the morning by stripping all the guest beds, loading the laundry, and then headed downstairs to “ground zero”. Before I ever start the actual cleaning, I crank up the music. Or, on this day – I’ll be honest – put on a marathon of The O.C.
Next, I always light a candle- it immediately makes things smell cleaner… like I’ve already made an effort haha. And then, I whip out my tools. My weapons. My heavy artillery.
When my mom was visiting several years ago, she got me hooked on Hope’s. At the time, the only product in the line in which she was familiar was Perfect Glass. So, that’s what I came to know and love. Since then, neither of us have used any other glass cleaner. It was only more recently, in the last two years, that my mom called me excitedly as though she had THE best news. She found Perfect Stainless and Perfect Granite in the same line, by Hope’s. And honestly, my tone probably matched her excitement right back. My mom and I like to think of ourselves as in-the-know trendsetters. (Kidding! Ok, I’m totally not haha) We take pride in finding things before they are huge and mainstream. Kind of like when your favorite underground artist hits the radio and you want to tell everyone “yea, but I knew him first – before he was cool”. While I don’t want to say we are “snobbish” around other cleaning products, well, we kind of are.
So now that I’ve given the back story of how I was introduced to Hope’s, I’ll continue on with my staples and routine. If I get flowers in the evening, I am often too lazy to cut and arrange them that night. I’ll fill the sink and let them bathe overnight, and take the opportunity to grab an Instagram shot (who doesn’t love a good flowers-in-the-sink photo opp?). This is typically what you see…
… but this is usually the reality. Water, leaves, and petals everywhere. Trust me, it gets worse.
I get a lot of questions about how I keep my house so clean. The truth is, it is easy to hide things in photos. When you have guests coming though, there is no screen to hide behind. They see it all. Or, at least everything in the “hot zones”.
Next, I went ahead and got the food prep out of the way and set my big pot chili to simmer.
The last thing I want to do is duplicate efforts so I like to make everything messier before I make it cleaner. Yes, I even get food splatters on the decor. I start from top to bottom, so first, I tackle the countertops by dousing them in Perfect Granite; it’s quick and easy to use and doesn’t leave that foggy “haze”. It also doesn’t have that harsh smell so no interrupting the chili/candle scents 😉
I wipe everything into the trash and disposal so next, I move on to the sink. A lot of the Hope’s products I use are multi-use but with Perfect Sink, you rub it on and it actually makes your sink surface like a freshly waxed car. Water beads up, it scrubs out the grime without leaving scratches, and like the Perfect Granite, it doesn’t have that harsh chemical smell like liquid/powdered cleansers. Here’s a peek after it’s applied but before the rinse. The result makes it look all shiny and new.
Next, I head to the glass-top table in the breakfast nook. I love that table but THIS is where I first saw the biggest difference several years ago when I switched to Perfect Glass. On this table, if there are greasy fingerprints, they will show. If you are using something that streaks, it will show A LOT. Perfect Glass is totally streak-free and doesn’t leave any cloudy spots. Because it doesn’t streak, I can knock this thing out perfectly in about 15 seconds. Literally. Before I started using Hope’s, this table looked like one big hand print, 99% of the time. Because it doesn’t leave detergent residue like most, it stays cleaner longer. Basically, unless we have a messy meal or company is coming, I don’t touch this table.
I go ahead and knock out the surfaces in the living room while I’m at it. I don’t worry about dusting but do check our table surfaces. We have a lot of mirrored furniture. Below, you can see our coffee table doesn’t typically even get smudge-y, just a bit dusty. I short-cut this chore, only lifting up the edges of the large tray and going around the outside 😉 Remember, this is “company-is-coming” cleaning!
While I’m in the living room, I will straighten throw blankets and pillows, and usually stuff a chewed up dog toy or two in my pocket.
I think the nose tracks on the front door/windows are to dog parents what cheerios in the sofa are to toddler parents. They’re inevitable and you know they’re going to keep doing it, but, you gotta take care of it. I don’t do a full window cleaning – just the bottom portion of the door and side lights. As I mentioned, because it doesn’t leave a haze, it quickly blends in with the untouched upper portion.
At this point, I will evaluate the state of the floors on the main level in the “hot zones”. I quickly ran a vacuum cleaner over the high traffic areas.
Then, I head back into the kitchen to determine if my appliances need some work. Well, this is what our dishwasher (and the rest of the stainless steel) looked like. What if I told you I left it that way? haha!
So NO, I did not. Stainless steel appliances in the kitchen will make or break your guests impression of your house’s clean factor. You could do a full, hardcore spring cleaning but if your appliances look like that, it will look like you haven’t cleaned since last spring.
Stainless can be difficult to clean, having to wipe in the direction of the grain, but I never have any “blotches” after I finish with Perfect Stainless. I actually used a stainless cleaner before that smelled like an oil change place… and the film it left on the appliances felt like an oil change place. Hope’s doesn’t leave that oily residue that attracts all the dust and dog hair in the house; it’s way easier to wipe because it doesn’t feel like you are trying to even out grease marks. They actually have new formula launching soon for stainless that is more difficult to polish; the original formula works fantastic for my kitchen.
When the kitchen is finished and the guest beds are made, I bring the guest trays into the kitchen to quickly wipe and load them up with goodies. You can see the trays I created for my Fourth of July guests HERE. These are quick to prepare but the small gesture will rank high with your overnight visitors.
For someone who is not a professional cleaner (me), Hope’s speeds up the process with awesome results. For someone who is a professional cleaner (“Paula”), she LOVES being able to use the Perfect line in our home, and I appreciate the results. At this point, I do one last walk through, put away my supplies and start to get ready. For a recap and an easy, quick checklist for your guest prep routine, you can pin this cheat sheet for later 😉 .
GIVEAWAY!
*UPDATE: GIVEAWAY CLOSED.*
Congratulations, Emalee! I have sent an email to your provided address for next steps.
Now for the exciting news. While I have included affiliate links below so you can shop any of the Hope’s products, for one reader, Hope’s is giving away their full product line, PLUS a $100 gift card to Hope’s retailer, Bed Bath & Beyond (to be used on anything in store)! Entering to win is simple and you can qualify for up to six entries. Here’s how:
- Follow Hope’s on Pinterest HERE (3 entries); AND/OR
- Share this post on Facebook (3 entries); AND/OR
- Sign up for my email updates at the bottom of the post (2 entries)
NOTE: You must comment with the fulfilled corresponding entry numbers “1, 2, and/or 3” in the comment section below once you have completed your entries.
The giveaway will end on Tuesday, October 4 and I will notify the winner via email. Good luck!
SHOP THE HOPE’S LINE
Perfect Glass | Perfect Stainless | Perfect Granite | Perfect Sink | Perfect Kitchen | Perfect Countertop | Multi-Surface | Perfect Cooktop | Perfect Stainless Wipes | Perfect Glass (auto) | Floor Revive | Perfect Glass Eyewear Cleaner
*Post contains affiliate links*
Looks sparkling in there!!!
At least in the “hot zones” 😉
I loved this post, Kelley! Thanks for the tip! I will need to try Hope’s product line! And yes, I turn into a BEAR when company’s coming! (Ask my kids!!)
Sandra, I do too! And if you do, you will love them. I have used them for years 😉
Wow! Kel I am amazed! These products look so fantastic – I want you to come here and clean my whole house for me! No cleaning lady over here haha! I love all of your tips!! Great post my friend :))
Haha! I can do the “company is coming” routine but I’ll let you keep those marathon days 😉
OK, you’ve got me convinced I need some of these cleaners in my life 🙂 I’ve honestly never found a glass cleaner that I’m 100% happy with so I’m excited to try Perfect Glass along with their stainless cleaner – thanks for the tips! I need Paula too – can you send her on over?!
Kris, I didn’t disclose her name because I have to keep Paula for myself haha! You will love Perfect Glass. Game Changer! Thank you for participating!
Oops – forgot to mention that I am following them on Pinterest now! (#1)
Great tips Kelley. These products look fantastic, I’ll def have to give them a try
Mysha, they have been favs of my for YEARS. 😉
What a great post, Kelly! I love their glass cleaner as well but now you have me wanting to try the other products. I need that stainless steel cleaner. My fridge and my sink need constant attention. Thanks for sharing! Just followed of them on Pinterest and will share on Facebook right now! What a great giveaway! And I love your checklist… Will have to print it out for my kids so I don’t have to yell everything that needs to be done Haha! 😘
I’m so glad you are already a fan! Surprisingly, my dishwasher is the worst, the fridge is second. BUT their Perfect Stainless does keep it looking better longer since it doesn’t have that film-y stuff. Thank you so much for participating!
While I sometimes enjoy cleaning my house I really wish I had a cleaning lady! Your house looks beautiful Kelley! I would love to try those products and see how they measure up to what I currently use!
I did #’s 1 & 3 to enter the contest!
Molly, I totally feel you. I seriously would eat Ramen to get to keep her haha Thank you so much for participating!
Kel! I’ve never heard of Hope’s but feel like I need to head out and buy the entire line! LOVED this post and I too have a “company is coming” quick clean routine I follow. So many great tips! Thanks for sharing this great product! Excited to try it. 🙂 xo
Erin, I have no doubt you do! I hope you put those adorable kids to work and I bet you are the cutest cleaning crew leader ever!
Kelley!! Thank you for all of the great tips about Hope’s!! I already use their stainless cleaner and can vouch for it’s effectiveness but I need the glass cleaner as well for those puppy nose prints and for my new dining room mirror that somehow magically always has a smudge and appears cloudy after I clean it (daily it seems lately…ugh!). Great post on a great product!!! Thank you as always for all of the great info:)) Xoxo
Bree, I so love that!! And, I don’t know if I am just partial because it was the first I ever tried, but the Perfect Glass may be my fav 😉 Thank you so much for participating!!
I did #1 and #3, Kel! This would be an awesome line to have! Such a great post! Love your before pix! Lol! You are a real human! Lol!
Haha, Haneen! Thank you so much for joining!
My goodness, your house looks clean! I am going to try the stainless cleaner immediately. A good one is so hard to find! I’m Hope’s newest Pinterest follower and I’m about to be their newest customer! Thanks Kelley…great post!
Jennifer, that is awesome news and you will love their Perfect Stainless! Thank you so much for joining!
Completed #1 and #3. These products sound great!
They are, Lacey! thank you for participating!
Loved your routine for cleaning for company! I can’t wait to try Hope’s! Where can you buy it?
Thank you, Randi! I linked an online source directly in the post and they sell in-store in these specialty stores here: http://hopecompany.com/#!/retailers
Did 1, 2,3! 🙂 hope I win!
Good luck, Nicole! thank you for participating!
Looks great! Completed #1 and #3
Abigail, I LOVE the line. Truly. thank you for participating!
Hi Kelley! I religiously follow your blog and designs on Pinterest and Instagram! I LOVE your style and you provide so much inspiration to my house and life! I have completed #1, 2 and 3 for your contest above!! Fingers-crossed!
Brandy, how sweet of you to say!! Wishing you a wonderful evening and thank you for participating!
I am going to try the stainless cleaner. The one I have doesn’t work well and leaves streaks.
1 and 3
Sara, you won’t regret it! I love mine. thank you for participating!
1,2, and/or 3.
Kelley you are truly an online gem! You have helped keep me sane, inspired, and have given such great tips on keeping a home looking fabulous. Your decorating skills are genius! Your tips are practical and oh so useful. I am a full time working mom of two and when I have down time, I love browsing through your Instagram photos and reading your blogs. I always look forward to what you have next in store to share.
Thank You!
Julie, what a kind comment to get to read today; thank you so much! We are total homebodies and I just put all my passion into our home. But yes, practical and comfortable is super important to me! Thank you for making my day and thank you for participating!
I am convinced I need to try these products now! Thanks for the post, Kelley!
(And I did # 1 and 3 for the giveaway!)
Kaitlyn, wonderful! And yes you do 😉 thank you for participating!
Kelley I loved this post! I will definitely be trying this out… Thanks for sharing!
Annie, thank you! You will love it.
I love this! Makes me feel less stressed about company coming over!
I entered the contest with entries 1 and 3 :).
Focus on those “hot zones” 😉 Thank you for participating!
I could use some new cleaning products! Thanks for the tips!!
Brynne, they are awesome 🙂
I recently stayed in Daphne, passing through to FL. We feel in love with the place. I wish I had known about the shop then. Maybe next time. Your home is beautiful! I did 1 and three for the contest you are having. Thanks
Isn’t it so charming? Did you stop in Fairhope, too? Definitely a must next time! Thank you so much and thank you for participating!
Nan!!!
I never thought I would be excited to try a cleaning line, but now I am!! I did 1, 2, and 3 to enter the contest. Mama wants that cleaning line!!!
Hope you’re doing well!!!
-Kelly
Ahh!! Kelly! Yes!! I bet you make cleaning days the most fun EVER! Good luck and thank you for entering 😘❤️❤️❤️
Love this post and the reminder to just hit the high points when “company’s coming”! I am already a tried and true believer of the Hope’s products. It all started with the Perfect Glass. And you are so spot on with how those other stainless “cleaners” work. Greasy residue is not clean and not Hope’s. This is such a fabulous giveaway, but I will leave it the others, since my cleaning closet is already pretty well stocked with Hope’s. These were all “gracious living ” tips. Loved it!
Thank you for introducing me! And yes- I think that may be why it’s still my fav 😉 Ready for my favorite company to come soon!!
Kelly,
I always appreciate a good product recommendation however I must ask, are you getting paid to promote these products? Thanks for the input
Hi, Roseann! I do accept sponsored posts for products I believe in. If a post is sponsored, it will be clearly marked (like the disclaimer at the top and bottom of this post). I did partner on this post with Hope’s, whose cleaning products I have used for years. In the full disclosure on my site, I talk about the specifics of what sponsorships may involve, but I will never recommend a product I don’t believe in it/use myself. For full disclosure, bloggers are compensated in a variety of ways from ad placement/brand collaboration/affiliate link commissions/etc. Without this type of support, most bloggers/sites wouldn’t be able to operate 😉 If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and visit with me.
Thank you for the post – can’t wait to try these products – I’m now following Hope’s on Pinterest (#1).
Awesome, Donna! Thank you for your participation.
Love the cheat sheet. I am already receiving your posts, so #3.
Sharon, I’m so glad! Thank you for entering! (You will be counted for #2 also ;))
I am so glad to hear about the “Perfect” products. I so need a great , non- smearing glass cleaner ever since we mirrored the top of our dining table instead of buying a new table. Thank you for this post.
Livonna, I’m so glad! I have mirrored surfaces EVERYWHERE so good glass cleaner is a must for us. I “met” Perfect Glass almost 10 years ago and still love it.
Hi Kelley, I love to read your posts, I live in Lawrenceville, Ga. not to far from you at all, hi neighbor, I plan to go and buy all these products tomorrow when we go out to run errands, can’t wait to try them all. Thank you for sharing!!🎃
Victoria, that is awesome! They are carried in specialty and hardware stores; here is a link that lists the retailers: http://hopecompany.com/#!/retailers
Love your tips! I have used Perfect glass but will def have to try some of their other cleaning products!!
Rose, that is awesome! Glad you are already a fan!
Never heard of these products. I need at least (3) of them: Perfect Glass, the stainlees sink cleaner and the refrain/dishwasher stainless cleaner. Wish I had known about this sooner. I have guests coming tomorrow!!! Yikes. The guest tray is a cute idea. I’m following Hope’s on Pinterest now.
Celeste, good luck with your company! Just hit those hot zones 😉 Thank you for participating.
I can’t wait to try the glass cleaner and granite cleaner. I have never been close to being happy with what I’ve used.
Your house looks to clean, airy and fantastic! I did #1 & 3.
Happy weekend.
Ralinn, thank you so much for participating! You will have to let me know what you think!!
Great post! #1 and 3 🙂 Love your blog and I’m interested to try Perfect Granite. I hate that oily feeling from the other cleaners I’ve used.
Margot, I would love to hear your thoughts once you do! I love it <3 Thank you for taking the time to stop by!
I must try this HOPE cleaners!! This will give me hope for my home. I desperately want to use their granite cleaner and stainless steel cleaner too!
I did 1 & 2 and I am already receiving your wonderful inspiring e-mails!!
Thanks for helping all of us that are challenged by cleaning!!!
Can’t wait to try Perfect Glass on my glass enclosed shower!!!
Awesome, Vicki! Let me know what you think!
Thanks for the great info!!! I did #1 and #3 for 5 entries! Whoop!!! Thank you!!!
awesome, Kelley! Thanks for participating! Good luck!
1 and 3
Thanks for the great tips!! Love your Instagram Kelly!
Lauren, thank you and thank you for participating!
Everything looks beautiful, love your home!!
Michele, thank you!
Hi Kelly,
I absolutely love your home. I follow you on Instagram and now follow Hope’s on Pintrest #1 and subscribed to your email #3. I get inspiration looking at your posts.
Toni, you are so sweet; thank you! And, thank you for joining in <3
Hi
Thank you for the fantastic post
I will definitely be trying them especially the glass one,
I have subscribed to you and followed on pintressed so #1 and #3
Awesome, Ruth! Thanks for joining!
After a long, hectic day, I look forward to climbing into bed, and checking your blog as well as instagram to see what you have to share. Your blog us where I go to feel inspired. It’s my happy place lol. Thank you for all of the inspiration, ideas and tips. I will be sure to pass on what I have learned and loved, to my beautiful children. I did #’s 1 and 3
Tatiana, what an incredible compliment; that means so much! Thank you and thank you for participating <3
Great post! I’ve stalked your site for some time now and continue to scroll through your pics and tips. I joined your Instagram page not too long ago and regularly swoon over your posts.
Winning or not I wanted to say that I almost can’t wait for my day off on Sunday so I could run to Target and pick up these awesome Hope products. It’s almost ridiculous that I’m excited to pick up cleaning supplies but I confess , I am!
Ps I did #1 & #3. Sorry , no Facebook here ( I know, what’s wrong with me?!)
Thanks again!
D~
Delilah, you are so funny! But, they aren’t sold at Target haha- here is a list of places they are carried 😉 http://hopecompany.com/#!/retailers You must let me know what you think!!
Hi Kelley!
(I am what a call a silent follower; I don’t ever comment or ask questions; just admire/incorporate in silence) I’ve been following your site and IG for a while after stumbling across you on Pinterest.
On to my (1st ever) comment:
Recently I have noticed that your blog posts, topics, attention to detail are just OFF THE CHARTS impressive; more than they already were to begin with. Loved this post and I will actually be replacing all of my cleaning materials with hope’s as soon as I’m done with this comment . . thanks!
Ps: I like that you humanized yourself & your home. I always thought you were a robot and that you didn’t actually live in your home; just rented it from someone during the day to take pretty photos. Haha!
Oh my gosh, Saira! Haha! 1. It means so much that you took the time to say hello; I love that! 2. I know what it’s like to be a silent follower (I am obsessed with Mindy Kaling); 3. I am so glad to hear you say that! I am trying to make sure that I am giving that “personal” side because honestly, that is what I love about the blogs I read. Thanks for making me smile this morning <3
1 and 3! Love your tips, inspired to clean today!
Annie, awesome!! Thanks for participating!
1,2, and 3! LOVE this post as I am a newlywed moving to Houston with my husband from California so these helpful company tips were amazing! I can’t wait to know we have company coming and have to clean and prepare! Love your gorgeous home and blog!
Elamlee, I am so glad and congratulations!! You are so sweet! Best of luck moving and thank you for participating!
Thanks for the cleaning tour and the special offer! And thanks for keeping it real!! 🙂
Colleen, thank you for taking the time to
comment! Have a great weekend!
I love their Perfect Glass but haven’t tried any other products. I really need the stainless cleaner. Great post! I’m their newest follower on pintrest, I did 1 and 3.
Monica, I am so glad you are already a fan! If you love Perfect Glass, you will love the others in the line. Thank you for participating!
Ooh! I was just looking at my stainless dishwasher and thinking how desperately it needed a clean, but I dread using my current cleaner … there may be ‘hope’ for me yet (pun intended).
I entered 1, 2, and 3.
Thank you Kelley Nan!
Trish, our dishwasher is by far the worst culprit haha. Thank you so much for participating!
#1 and #3.
What great tips! I have loved the perfect glass cleaner for so long and had no idea they had more products! Thanks for sharing!
Following on Pinterest. #1
Great tips!
I did 1, 2, and 3 for contest.
Now to find Hope’s for my house!
Oops. Too late for entry but great review. Will look for products.
Kelley,
Thanks for sharing your review of Hope’s with us! I just went out and bought Hope’s Perfect Glass, and I love love love it! Can’t wait to try the rest of the line 🙂
Yvette, that is wonderful! Please let me know how you like it!