Kelley Nan

Gracious Living

Company is Coming! Full Prep and Cleaning Routine with Hope’s

| 105 Comments

blog-disclosure-hopes

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.

living-room-with-the-oc

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.

lighting-candle-and-cleaning-before-company-arrives

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…

flowers-in-the-sink-with-white-kitchen

… but this is usually the reality. Water, leaves, and petals everywhere. Trust me, it gets worse.

perfect-granite-cleaning-up-flower-debris

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”.

hopes-perfect-granite-with-flowers-in-the-sink

Next, I went ahead and got the food prep out of the way and set my big pot chili to simmer.

cooking-and-cleaning-in-kitchen-with-hopes-products

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 😉

hopes-perfect-granite-clean-up

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.

hopes-perfect-sink-for-stainless-sink

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.

hopes-perfect-glass-for-glass-top-table-with-flowers

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!

hopes-perfect-glass-with-flowers-on-mirrored-champagne-finish-coffee-table

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.

living-room-cleaning-routine

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.

hopes-perfect-glass-to-clean-dog-nose-prints

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!

dirty-dishwasher-with-fingerprints

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.

perfect-stainless-before-and-after-by-hopes

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.

stainless-steel-refrigerator-with-hopes-perfect-stainless

kitchen-cooking-and-cleaning-with-hopes

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.

hopes-perfect-glass-in-gold-guest-room-mirrored-tray

guest-room-tray-with-fiji-water-and-essentials

guest-bedroom-tray-on-white-bed-with-water

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 😉 .

company-is-coming-cleaning-cheat-sheet

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:

  1. Follow Hope’s on Pinterest HERE (3 entries); AND/OR
  2. Share this post on Facebook (3 entries); AND/OR
  3. 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.

full-line-of-hopes-cleaning-products

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*

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Comments

  2. 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!!)

    Reply

  3. 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 :))

    Reply

  4. 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?!

    Reply

  7. 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! 😘

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  8. 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!

    Reply

  9. 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

    Reply

  10. 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

    Reply

    • 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!!

      Reply

  12. 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!

    Reply

  17. 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!

    Reply

  19. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  24. 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

    Reply

  25. 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

    Reply

  26. 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!

    Reply

  27. Kelly,
    I always appreciate a good product recommendation however I must ask, are you getting paid to promote these products? Thanks for the input

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  30. 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.

    Reply

  31. 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!!🎃

    Reply

  33. 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.

    Reply

  34. 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.

    Reply

  36. 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!!!

    Reply

  41. 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.

    Reply

  42. 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

    Reply

  43. 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

    Reply

  44. 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~

    Reply

  45. 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!

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  47. 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!

    Reply

  49. 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.

    Reply

  50. 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!

    Reply

  54. 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 🙂

    Reply

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