Getting Ready For Guests (NAPSA)—Preparing your home for guests doesn’t have to take a lot of work—just a plan. That’s the advice from housecleaning guru, author, television and : radio personality Laura Dellutri, whooutlines five simple steps that help homeownersget their houses ready for guests in no time. Armed with tried-and-true savvy secrets she learned as a motherof five and a contributor to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Dellutri offers these tips: 1. Get A Guest’s-Eye View. Act as if you were a guest enter- ing your home. What looks messy? What looks cluttered? A 10-minute pickup and straighten- ing of your home can make your house look clean and organized. For a five-minute bathroom clean, try an all-purpose cleaner and sanitizer on your bathroom mirrors, sinks, counters and stool. You'll get a sparkling-clean and fresh-smelling bathroom. Nothing says clean like a shiny bathroom. 2. Create Five-Star Guest Rooms. Make all the guest rooms extra cozy by washing linens with a detergent such as Tide Pure Essentials” with Baking Soda and softening them with Downy or Bounce Pure Essentials™ with Aloe and White Lilac Scent. These products leave linens feeling soothingly soft while giving fabrics a light, fresh scent. This easy trick will help add a sense of calm and comfort for your guests throughout their stay. There are simple steps to take to quickly get a home ready for visitors. 3. Create A Welcoming Envi- ronment. Instill a sense of peace and serenity to your guests’ surroundings by bringing unique out- door treasures inside. Create an indoor arrangement madeofflowers, grasses and sprigs of pine. Play a CD with a soothing soundtrack of nature’s soundsto allevi- ate stress. Have aromatic candles, cinnamon cooking in a pan of water, or an air purifier that runs quietly without disturbing the environment while offering a pleasant, clean smell. 4, Eat Well. If your guests get the midnight munchies, make sure healthy snacks are readily available. Create your own “minibar” by placing a gift basket in the kitchen filled with healthy items such as whole-wheat pretzels, fruit or air-popped popcorn. 5. Clean As You Go. Stay on top of clutter and try to keep the dishwasher empty. That way, you can quickly clear dirty dinner dishes and make wayfor dessert. For more information andtips, visit www.BHG.com/freshstarts.
