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The One Really Easy Thing You Should Definitely Clean Before Guests Arrive

Shifrah Combiths
Shifrah Combiths
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
published Nov 19, 2022
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Credit: Melanie Rieders

If there’s one thing I’ll never take for granted again, even as an introvert, it’s being able to have people over. Sharing our home with loved ones is one of life’s true heart-filling joys and any kind of gathering is sweeter than it was a few years ago. 

Whether you embrace a lived-in look where you don’t let a little bit of laundry on the couch halt your gatherings, or spend a lot of time cleaning ahead of the festivities, one thing is for sure: you want your home to be welcoming to all.

One thing, however, that’s easy to overlook, even with our best efforts, is cleaning your throw pillows. Seriously, when was the last time you cleaned and freshened them up? (If you never have, I won’t tell.)

It’s actually shocking how often you’re supposed to clean your throw pillows. But it makes sense. Just like upholstered furniture, throw pillows collect a lot of dirt and fur and possibly even spills and stains. 

Here are some ways to make sure your throw pillows are guest-worthy: 

  • Spot treat stains. My favorite way to do this is with Folex. Spray it on, let it sit, and scrub gently with a rag. Most stains will lift right off. 
  • Toss removable covers in the washer. If your covers come off, wash them on the gentle cycle in your washer. Make sure to follow the instructions on the tag, and it’s probably best to hang it dry to prevent any shrinkage. 
  • Remove fur and surface dirt. Use a vacuum cleaner and/or a fur-removing tool like a lint roller or pumice stone. 
  • Put throw pillows, cover and all, in the washer and dryer if you can. Many throw pillows can be washed and dried wholesale, all in one fell swoop. Check labels, as always, but don’t assume that this easy method is off the table.
  • Replace and fluff. Once your throw pillows are clean, put them back on your couch and chairs and fluff them up. You’ll be very pleased with how much cleaner and fresher the whole room feels.
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Cleaning
Holidays