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- Cleaning PresentationProdulation
As the saying goes, "cleanliness is next to godliness". Unfortunately, cleaning is probably the least glamorous task at hand.
However, it is also one of the most important because it leads to the next major area, presentation.
It is best to do as
much of the major cleaning as possible on the day before the special event. This will help prevent wearing yourself out on
the appointed day or cleaning too early and finding it necessary to reclean. We've included a handy check list and some pointers
that we've learned from experience.
This is all going to sound like pretty common sense information, but while being in
the middle of preparation, it is sometimes easy to overlook even the most basic elements.
Checklist:
Kitchen:
_____ Clear off as much as possible from coutertops. This will help the area
to look neat and uncluttered. It is expected to see certain things on a counter top such as a coffee maker, canister
set
or a cookie jar. But the 3 cans of soup you bought last week should be put in their proper place.
_____ Clean all dirty
dishes. Nothing says unprepared like walking into a kitchen with a sink full of dirty dishes.
_____ Once the dishes
have been cleaned, store them properly.
_____ Have a trash can available in the vicinity of the serving area if this is
not a formal dinner. Always be sure to use a clean trash bag. If necessary, take a half full bag and store it out of
the way until the event is over.
Bathroom:
_____ Clean the toilet (including
the top of the tank) and the sink.
_____ Again, clear off as much as possible from coutertops.
_____ Do you have a
large family? Are there various towels and washcloths hanging around? Put them all in a clothes hamper. It looks so
much neater that way.
_____ Place clean towels in a area where it is convenient for your guests to dry their hands.
_____ If you have one of those liquid soap dispensers, ensure that it is atleast half full. Totally filled is best.
_____
Place a spare roll or two of toilet paper where they can easily be seen. A small basket holding these can add to the
overall appearance.
_____ It looks best if the shower curtain is drawn shut. This will also hide any clutter from shampoo
bottles, etc. If there are doors on the shower, shut them.
Serving/Eating Area:
_____
Clean all corners and baseboards. These areas tend to be neglected during routine cleaning.
_____ Dust any horizontal
surfaces. This is another area that can be overlooked from time to time.
_____ If you are using a room that will feature
a view of the outdoors, take time to thoroughly clean any windows.
And you're done! Now that wasn't so bad after
all.