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How to fake a clean house
April 23, 2009
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Lesley Simpson
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Messy home? Take refuge in tips to fake a clean house when unexpected guests drop in.
If you have help from partners and/or children you could accomplish a lot in a 15-minute frenzied spurt: open windows, toss clutter into hampers, put away dishes, empty trash, and don't forget to freshen up yourself by brushing your hair and changing your clothes.
Frozen cookie dough popped into the oven busts bad odours and welcomes guests with sweet aromas.
For those who like a deadline, one expert suggests races with family members and "practice sessions" to see if you can beat your best times for domestic transformation.
If your guests are running late, the idea is to continue your cleaning momentum with small tasks (vacuuming, wiping surfaces, organizing books) until there's that knock at the door.
Check it all out at housekeeping.about.com/od/timesavingideas/ht/fakeclean.htm.
Lesley Simpson is a freelance journalist.
Email lesleysimpson9@gmail.com
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