It depends on the party. If it is a small, intimate dinner party, I do a deep clean broken out in stages.

For a large party, (where I am not asking guests to remove shoes), I do a quick big clean, and stow away clutter. If your place is packed with people, they most likely aren't poking into your deepest darkest corners looking for dust bunnies. Plus, you can expect to be left with a big mess.

The next day, I do the big clean... especially the floors, table tops, etc.

I used to kill myself (i.e. the first list) before a big party. (I mean, shake out doormats? I never do that...should I?) but then I realized that no one notices anything but clutter so I do a quick clean right before (put away clutter, quick mop the floor with a swiffer, quick dust, vacuum) and like addy mentioned, clean up the mess that the party creates afterwards.

Please, those daily chores usually take up a whole lot more than 15 minutes, lol.

But the cleaning lists are great and I thank you for that. :-)

anyone know the name of this painting? is it a Norman Rockwell?

There is only one thing that must be clean when people come over:

The bathroom.

All other things are extra, though preferred (especially the kitchen). The bathroom is non-negotiable.

I'm with Christine (the one in DC) (in general). Clear clutter, clean the bathroom and kitchen. The big clean-up is afterwards!

If I'm using loads of rarely-used glassware (= more than two wineglasses), I do put the lot through the dishwasher the day before if there's dust/residue.

We have a group of folks who come over weekly for a bible study. I vacuum, deep clean the kitchen, bathroom and nursery (in case one of the mamas wants to nurse in private). Shut all the rest of the doors. For bigger parties I used to mop in advance, but now I just vacuum everything, clean more rooms, and do a huuuuge clutter purge. We have an open layout, so clutter sometimes builds up where it shouldn't (mail on the kitchen counter, toys everywhere etc). I'll mop afterward, because you are pretty much guaranteed to have to. Vacuuming covers a multitude of sins, I think, so that's a huge priority, then all bathrooms/counter height furniture must be cleaned well, then just picking stuff up.

@mfarling - I have no idea, but as far as I know, Norman Rockwell did mostly those nostalgic covers for the Saturday Evening Post, not anything modern.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=norman%20rockwell&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=46uiUKXwLMHe0QHZ_YCQDQ&biw=1600&bih=966&sei=CayiUIeoM4aH0QHciYCwAQ

Original post was a few years ago, so maybe the photo (with painting being questioned) was different.

i just dim the lights and greet people with a strong cocktail, after that nobody minds a little dust and dog hair

In only invite people who are usually welcome in my home. I do not stress about "parties" as it's the people, not the stuff, that matters.

In my 3 dog/2cat 720 sqft house my priority is & always will be removing the evidence thereof. Even tho' I sweep/vacuum daily the fur tumbleweeds do blow around. So, all of the above, plus scoop liiterbox, wipe down surfaces where hair collects, damp-mop laminate floors to remove pawprints, & if it's not -25F, open windows to let in fresh, dander-free air. I also offer my OTC allergy meds to those who forgot to take their own & start sneezing--it's impossible to clean to a level that is tolerable to some allergy sufferers outside a laboratory setting, but I do my best.

At our housewarming party I told everyone to feel free to open doors, not drawers. That gave me some privacy (and less cleaning) before the BIG party.

tips for the super busy host/ess:
only illuminate your parties with candle light
never invite anybody taller than you, so you only need to clean to your eye level.
only throw parties on muddy days and let your guests keep shoes on.

I have this poster! It is a museum poster from the Bauhaus Archiv in Berlin.

My mother taught me long ago, "clean up after the party!". Nice low lighting and candles do the trick. Not saying to have a grubby bathroom, but post-party is the time for deep cleaning. Adamwa is right, a few stiff cocktails and the last thing anyone notices is a little dust.

My good friends always know who they are: the ones who are invited over when the house is a mess and there are dishes in the sink!

That said, I second the cat box/bathroom cleaning comments. Anything less is just rude.

I clean beforehand, but just do a big clean on the day of, before I start prepping food: dust comes in so damn quickly here that there's a layer of black soot on things within 12 hours of cleaning. Impossible to keep on top of; I aim for maintenance, but when people are coming over (not my best friends who see it messy all the time) I try to do it all as close to party time as possible.

Our regular strategy--guest or not--is generally what's been listed. It helps to hire out a great deal of the deep-cleaning domestic stuff, if you can swing it. Personally, I like a clean house.

What we can NEVER seem to do is keep a clean kitchen the day of the party. Never. My husband's the cook, and there's always some sort of last minute prep (he's very good at timing) that renders the kitchen a complete mess. I marvel at folks who can present a clean kitchen to dinner guests! (And it is for this reason, to be honest, that I do not ever want to live in an open-concept kitchen/dining/living combo. Seeing stacked dirty pots and pans is not appetizing!)

Day of the party: Pick up clutter, dim the lighting, create a good smelling house (scented candles, fragrant flowers or cook cinnamon on the stove) and yes, I agree, clean the bathroom spotless.

I'm exhausted just reading those lists. Too tired to party.

I like the Daily maintenance list though. I'm going to print it out and aspire. But 20 minutes...no way? Maybe if you live in 425 square foot apartment.

Oh well, consider it a challenge. This coming Saturday I will take that list and see how long it all really takes me (I will make sure there is only a "normal" number of dishes in the sink before I start, as opposed to my post-cook-for-the-week pile.)

@3dogma - Best. Host. EVER. I love the critters, but have fairly severe cat allergies (hives, sneezing, difficulty breathing, etc.) and not everyone tells you to come prepared! I try to keep a Benadryl in my purse, but sometimes I forget to restock...

My deep cleaning doesn't get done like it should (I know, gross) so I use parties as a motivator to get done what ought to be done anyway - except for washing windows. I honestly can't remember the last time that got done, downstairs, anyway...added to the pre-Thanksgiving checklist!

My Clean usually consists of a sweep/vacuum and windex of glass tabletop surfaces an hour or so before, and a quick pillow toss back to the sides of the couch as i run to answer the door... I like having a neat and clean place to live on a daily basis, and I don't have the type of friends that walk around with a white glove or would 'poo poo' me if i miss a few dust bunnies in a corner.

I wipe my counters down after I cook on a regular basis, and find that this list is more intimidating then it is helpful. Do you really need to clean and prep your house a WEEK ahead of time?! It is much less of a big task to just do these things as they need to be done... walking out the door and spy a cobweb? grab the broom and give it a swipe. Heading to bed and notice a dusty sill? give it a wipe down before you tuck in and stop stressing just because you are worried about your "friends" judging you. It is your HOME, where you LIVE... it doesn't need to be sterile as an operating room.

3 separate cleaning lists = 'stress free'? I try to have a beautiful table (nice linens, candles) ready, and offer guests delicious nibbles and drinks as soon as they arrive. Trust me, nobody will notice any mess or clutter.

I'm getting ready to start showing my house to potential buyers- I'm going to use this! Good list.

I like presenting a spotless home to my guests as much as the next guy. That being said, over the years of entertaining, my attitude has changed considerably. It's frustrating to spend many hours cleaning and then cooking (which involves lots of shopping and schlepping also), only to have a giant mess to clean up afterwards. I make my house presentable, prepare fairly easy eats, and enjoy the company. This way I still have energy for the clean-up after. These lists are a wonderful framework for running a house in general.

Candles and more candles. I clear clutter, sweep the floors, dust if there's any that is going to show, wipe the bathroom thoroughly (though I don't hesitate to just pull the shower curtain to hide the shower - I mean, really, who uses your shower during a party?) and wipe up the kitchen before/after cooking, but honestly, candles and low light is the best trick in the book. So much atmosphere and no 3 day cleaning lists. The place is always a wreck after a party, that's when I do the deep clean (maybe!)

Candles and more candles. I clear clutter, sweep the floors, dust if there's any that is going to show, wipe the bathroom thoroughly (though I don't hesitate to just pull the shower curtain to hide the shower - I mean, really, who uses your shower during a party?) and wipe up the kitchen before/after cooking, but honestly, candles and low light is the best trick in the book. So much atmosphere and no 3 day cleaning lists. The place is always a wreck after a party, that's when I do the deep clean (maybe!)

I have a strict rule regarding pre-party cleaning....DON'T get carried away. Clean the bathroom, straighten up the kitchen including a good counter top declutter and ignore the floors. I promise no one will have a bad time because the floors aren't spotless and you'll REALLY want to clean them the day after so put that extra time to better use. Relax and save time for a cocktail before your guests arrive!

Clear all the clutter, ignore the floors, plump your cushions, and then worry about post party clean up. http://howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-clean-up-after-blow-out.html

pam
howtorunyourlofe.blogspot.com

I've lived in France for the last 8 years, and cleaning the OUTSIDE of windows is a weekly, if not twice-weekly, chore. I remember my mother doing it once or twice a year as I grew up (at the moment of installing or removing the storm windows). Of course, it's easier to do with European windows that open like double doors to the inside, vs. American-style sash windows. But all of a sudden, I really notice dirty windows.
Of course, for a night party, with the curtains drawn, WHO CARES!

That spotless kitchen says it all and looks ready for a party!
pve

Love those time estimates. 20 minutes for the daily clean? Hah! It takes 20 minutes just to do the dishes (on a good day).

I like @KirstenWi's idea of using this list as a checklist for getting a home ready for sale. Buyers ... I'd want to impress. Friends ... it's too late to convince them I'm always neat!

I agree that the big cleaning list looked exhausting, BUT I would suggest staying home on Black Friday and doing most of that list just for the holidays. OR hire a cleaning company just once a year and gift yourself the joys of an ultra clean house. OR consider paying someone to just do the Wet Work--like bathrooms, floors, cabinet fronts and fingerprints everywhere. Do the easy breezy dusting and vacuuming yourself after they leave.
I like the dim lights ideas, but watch out for the cobwebs that only appear on your chandelier in dim light. Lastly, candles make me SO nervous. I vote for the battery operated kind...;<)

Good lists for daytime parties (when your kids' friends + their parents come over for the first time) or when you have guests stay. Estimated times are way off if your place is bigger (have more than one bathroom, lots of floor space, etc.), and the daily time limit is impossible unless you eat take out on paper plates (or are single with no kids).

I just did the big clean yesterday in preparation for my son's birthday slumber party/BBQ. Spotless bathrooms were at the top of the list with decluttering and dusting second. The kitchen was the last thing I tackled since I spent quite a bit of time in there baking and prepping for grilling. Even with strangers coming over (a few of the parents I had not met yet), my goal is for my place to be comfortable not spotless.

@Magoo1 - I LOVE my galley kitchen. I don't think I could ever happily embrace an open-concept kitchen either.

I'm with KirstenWI, I'm going to be putting my house on the market soon and I'll use this strategy for preparing to show it.

Downloads for Apartment Therapy lists would be a plus!

Would love to see a cleaning list for hosting an OUTDOOR party! Hosting my twins 4th birthday party at our house (silly husband thought it would save money!) and have invited half their preschool. The inside has suffered! Top of the indoor list is bathroom and clearing clutter. Our outdoor list is much longer:
- pull weeds
- mow lawn
- plant annuals
- add mulch
- prune dead flowers
- fill cracks in flagstone/make sure all surfaces are flat and level
- build a deck! lol

I'm always tempted to do some big DIY project before a party... how to resist?!

Yes, my friends see the house for the disaster that it is, but my future new friends should at the very least be treated to a clean bathroom and no clutter!