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Expecting Guests? Here’s What They Usually Notice in a Dirty Home

June 30, 2022 · 7 min read
guests
Photo by thodonal88 from Shutterstock

Piles of paper

The answers we received were different, for obvious reasons, but two of the people I personally asked said something about out-of-control paper piles.

Apparently, this is definitely something that you would pick up at a friend’s home. “My eyes are completely drawn to piles or stacks of paper” as Christine Platt, minimalist and the author of “Ana & Andrew” series but also of “The Truth About Awiti”, explained.

She also added that that’s what she notices first, more than anything else if there are loose paper, notebooks, letters, or even envelopes.

Also, Kristen Ziegler, the founder, and owner of decluttering and organizing company Minima, actually agreed to that, as she added that paper piles are a big problem area for most of her clients as well.

“Whether it’s at the entryway, in the kitchen, on the dining room table, or even on the desk, the resolution would be to have only one space to manage your paperwork and stick to it.”

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19 Comments

  1. Rebecca says:
    September 16, 2022 at 12:49 pm

    Good article and I enjoyed it, all good suggestions when you are having guests. For me, the first thing that hits me about someone else’s home is the smell. Dirty houses always smell like dirty houses; clean it up!

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    1. Ronnie M Petz says:
      December 4, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      If you think the house smells don’t visit. That’s so rude you said that I’m glad you don’t visit me.

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  2. Gosia says:
    September 23, 2022 at 6:16 am

    I have a very “homie” home. Everyone make some positive comment. It is VERY eclectic. The nicest comment I have ever received was from a 7 year old little girl who entering my house exclaimed: “WHAT A CUTE LITTLE HOME”. The house is around 4,000 sqf. : ))

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    1. Nikki says:
      December 4, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      LOL- guess she lives in a really big house.

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    2. Christine Pearson says:
      December 4, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      As far as I’m concerned, why should one kill oneself to over clean ones home before guests arrive? They’re going to leave a bigger mess when they leave.

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  3. Pam says:
    September 25, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    All tht is really necessary, in my opinion, is to have a clean bathroom and your bed made when guests are coming. I think guests are much more interested in the food they are offered.

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  4. Stephen Platt says:
    September 25, 2022 at 5:35 pm

    DUST!! Make sure all horizontal surfaces are dusted and if wood, they are polished.

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  5. Diane Smoots says:
    September 26, 2022 at 2:34 pm

    Greatly appreciated, I agree with all the suggestions. Thank you so much is

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  6. Dianne Lawrence says:
    December 4, 2022 at 7:17 pm

    I appreciated this article a lot as I’m in the middle of tidying my house up. I’m in the middle of watching hoarders a real wake up call. I agreed with all the tips you gave. Thank you.

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  7. Rhonda says:
    December 4, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    🤦🏼‍♀️ That’s not nice! You could have just passed up the comment section if you had nothing nice to share instead of your negativity! Js imo

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  8. Cindy says:
    December 4, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    I had the same experience

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  9. Sherrie says:
    December 4, 2022 at 9:33 pm

    I can agree with all of the suggestions. It seems those are the areas most people should at least make some effort. I personally do notice odors when I enter a room. I have a pet and I really try to keep up with the dog hair. Bathrooms are another place I think should be really clean, nothing worse than seeing a dirty toilet. But I know everyone has their opinion about what is clean and tidy. Some people are just not great housekeepers.

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  10. Daryl says:
    December 4, 2022 at 10:47 pm

    Ray Buttigieg, Cindy. Look for the horizontal line of black, numbered squares and click through to read the story.

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  11. Tad says:
    December 5, 2022 at 1:56 am

    if you don’t like my pet hair, then don’t visit. I probably like my pets more than I do you anyway. lol
    Seriously… if you have pets, you’re going to have pet hair. Love me, love my pets!

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  12. Dave severson says:
    December 5, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    If people are somehow affended by your home than F**K them!!

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  13. Janet says:
    December 5, 2022 at 4:10 pm

    Kitchen & Bathroom should be Clean for me that’s all
    That’s needed.Enjoy the company.😊

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  14. Diana erickson says:
    December 22, 2022 at 4:32 pm

    I think Covid has altered a lot of people and how they clean their homes. I am blessed that someone cleans my hous but there are certain areas I need for her to clean. Kitchen especially when having guests that like to gather. Of course bathrooms , they have to be for health reasons .
    I have a small dog so I am always cleaning his bedding etc but I’m not critical of homes with pets that smell like pets they have pets! As long as it’s not poop or pee.
    Merry Christmas Happy Holidays everyone.?

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  15. peggy says:
    December 23, 2022 at 3:46 am

    My home is always clean just the way we live.

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  16. Bonnie says:
    December 23, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    I just don’t invite anyone over. I have 2 cats and 1 dog. My house is 900 sq. Ft of living space. And I smoke. No worries here.

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