I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been in that panic mode when we find out that guests are coming and our home is nowhere near ready for them to see it. Life happens, especially in a family. No fear! I’m here to share my tips on how to get your house looking like you’ve been cleaning for days, but in reality it’s a last-minute cleaning for the record books. YOU CAN DO THIS!
*post sponsored by HomeRight (see full disclosure)
It’s no joke that my house doesn’t stay clean. For the most part, that’s just fine with me as it means my family is here and happily living. However, when folks come over for a visit, I really don’t need them to see that…er… love. ahem. The bathroom and kitchen are the most germy places and, unfortunately, most obvious spots to notice when dirty. So…what’s a mama to do?
STARTING
Well, Tip #1 in last-minute cleaning is to begin with the obvious. Tuck away those daily-grind essentials. Ya know, open that drawer and shove it in. haha! You can ask my kids that I don’t really do that, but in a rush I will! I know I’m not alone.
Tip #2: Toss the linens in the wash so they can be getting clean while you’re tackling the other stuff. Nothing worse than stinky towels and rugs in the bathroom. bluck.
Tip #3: Break out the HomeRight SteamMachine Elite!! No joke, the fastest, easiest, and chemical-free way to clean is with steam. Forget all the bottles of stuff that don’t work and also make for a lovely aroma (dead giveaway that you were in a tizzy cleaning!!) I’ve shown you before how much I love my HomeRight SteamMachine, but guess what…they came out with a new & improved model! {{happy dance}}
Here’s my video showing you how I tackled my oven cleaning (a most dreaded job otherwise), with my AutoRight steam machine.
While I still love using that, I’m so stoked to have this SteamMachine Elite. It’s got all the bells and whistles of the older model, but with new accessories designed for most any job in the home. And, yes, I’m in love with the white color too. tee hee.
Now I my kids and I can double-team my house and cars!
DIY TIME
Okay, so you saw in my video how easy it is to set up. Just fill with distilled water using the included measuring cup and funnel. Put the cap on tight and wait for it to build up steam.
When plugged in, both lights will be lit.
However, when this bad baby is ready to go, the one light will click off and it’s time for some last-minute cleaning fun!
I first tackle my kitchen with all it’s daily mess loveliness. If you missed it, you can see my kitchen reveal HERE. We are pretty much here 24/7, cook all 3 meals plus snacks from scratch, so you KNOW this gets DIRTY.
Before I get started, I hang up the accessory holder and tuck in all my brushes and attachments. This makes it easy so I can grab them and go.
COOKTOP
The cooktop was my first frontier. I had yet to clean it with my older SteamMachine since our recent installation. Every night we do dishes and wipe this down, but it still gets dirty. Using my black nylon brush with nozzle attachment, I blast that grim away. Yeah baby! *a word of advice, I do wear hearing protection while using the SteamMachine as it gets kinda noisy. A worthy trade!
I only worked this cooktop for about 5 minutes and I am not kidding when I say I was floored that it took off some build-up that I couldn’t get to with a toothbrush. SCORE! Even my oldest son standing nearby was stoked as he hates cleaning the cooktop.
Next on the last-minute cleaning list is the sink. Another of my cleaning pet peeves is the gunk that builds up around faucets. I normally pull out an old toothbrush to tackle it, but the SteamMachine nails it in a jiffy.
FLOORS
Last, but not least in my kitchen cleaning is my tile floor. I’ve never used the Steam Mop attachment before but my back was thanking me immensely. I didn’t have to bend over to wring out a standard mop or deal with dragging around a bucket of dirty water. This Steam Mop also works on carpet. WIN!
I’m headed back to the bathroom for the rest of my last-minute cleaning fun. I grab my accessory holder and hang it on my bathroom door, then time to tackle the tub and tile.
I hit all the tile with my black nylon brush and wipe it clean. Next, I wanted to get rid of the spots on the bottom tub grips.
Scrub the spot while blasting with steam and it’s gone.
My other favorite accessory is the Crevice Tool. It is perfect for getting into tight nooks and crannies that are a pain to clean.
Next up is the mirror. (get it…up? pun intended. you’re welcome) I attached the squeegee and have a blast…literally!
FYI, the squeegee also has a cloth bonnet so you can use it to clean upholstery too. You can see how I used it in this post HERE.
CLEANING COMPLETE
Ladies and gents we are now DONE with our last-minute cleaning. {{applause}} There’s still time to fold that laundry and whip up some grub for your guests. Why? Because your cleaning took about an hour to do. YES!! Bonus is that your home is now fresh and no funky cleaner smells to make it toxic too.
If you’d like all the details on our bathroom remodel, you can read that post here.
Add a few touches of fresh flowers along with your sweet smile and good food. I know your guests will be oohing and aahing.
GIVEAWAY TIME
Time for some sweet fun for YOU! HomeRight and I are all about empowering you to get the DIY job done right. One winner will receive this brand new SteamMachine Elite with all the accessories. Wahoo!!
Easy entry: just complete the widget below for as many entries as you like (daily even for more entries). Open to U.S. and Canada residents 18 years of age and older. Winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Be sure to check your spam!
Do pin and share my last-minute cleaning tips because you know we’re not alone in this entertaining world.
Up next, this vintage dresser is up for a new look. Head here to see.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Also, more last-minute cleaning tips & tricks:
I love the idea of using it for our overn!
It makes it so handy. You will love it!
I would start out cleaning all my bathroom and kitchen & laundry room floors and then this would be gifted to my daughter; only after I finish using it of course.
Thank you for the chance on this giveaway opportunity
Sounds good! My pleasure to do this as it’s such a wonderful machine valued at $150. Happy dance!
I definitely want this steam cleaner! The idea of cleaning the oven, carpeting, floors, and upholstery just thrills me! Using the HomeRight Elite Steam Machine would be fantastic for people with disabilities like me. Chores would be so much more manageable. ?
You will LOVE it! I’m not kidding that the options are limitless. Fun to go crazy cleaning! 😀
You are the only person I know that could make cleaning look fun…ha! Love that steam machine!
bwahaha!! You’ve made my day! 😀
How cool!!! I did not know there was such a thing.
You mean how HOT! haha. Yes, saves me oodles in time and money as I don’t have to buy bottled junk.
I’d have clean my messy entryway first! Love it!
Oh yesss…mud collector!
You are so right! I used to have an older steam machine i scored from a yard sale it lasted a few years and made cleaning a breeze. I would love a new one!!5
I whistle along blasting it all. So fun! 😀
I would tackle my range hood first. I really do hate cleaning my oven but I do not clean the underside of my range hood nearly often enough. By the time I decide it needs a good scrub it is a huge task.
Another awful frontier. Thanks for the reminder! haha!
I would first clean my shower and glass enclosure! Then tackle the sliding glass doors! They are a mess with rain drops and dust marks! Look like it could really be a time saver!
We had one glass doors when we first moved in and took them out pronto because of the cleaning issue and because I’m tall and would hit my head on the frame. haha. This would surely make it better.
I would tackle my showers. There are some tricky spots to clean!
You ain’t kiddin’!
I would take on the bathroom!
Wahoo!! Sounds like a fun time ahead.
Larissa, I can’t seem to find the pin url on my iPad to add points for the drawing. Any ideas where to find it? Sorry, not very tech savvy!
No worries! Just pin it to Pinterest and then grab the Pinterest url and paste it in the giveaway widget. Let me know if that doesn’t work. 🙂
Love all your tips, Larissa.
Thank you, Linda. 🙂
First, I would clean my oven. Then, head to the bathroom to tackle the tub! This steam cleaner is amazing! This would come in handy throughout my entire house. Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway!!!
You sounds like my kinda gal, Ginny! Sweet!
Thanks for the cleaning tips.
My pleasure, Deidra.
Thanks for the great tips. This handy dandy appliance looks like one I would actually use! hahaha
You sound like me! I prefer a rag and the old way, but this has changed my ways.
I would start with the bathroom. Using this cleaning machine would be so much better than using chemicals. You do make it look so easy. Thanks!!
None of the cleaning products work near as well as this one. Saves money and time.
Great ideas for the home right steamer… I didn’t know it could do so much!
It’s such a handy tool for any cleaning needing done.
First I just found your site , I love it . That steamer looks incredible. I have used harsh chemicals for years not knowing how bad they really were.(sorry kids ). I’m now doing all natural and steam look like an amazing way to do everything .❤️It.
Glad to have you, Carmen! 😀 I know what you mean…so many things to learn. So glad you found a new way. You will love this thing!
First thing that I would clean worth this amazing tool is my gas stove top. Then, onto the bathroom because our water is so hard that I would love to see if I could stop using harsh chemicals to get my bathtub semiclean!
Hard water is a booger for sure! This will help so much.
I used it on our old range too and was so stoked I didn’t have to scrub. Happy dance!!
Our OVEN! Oh my! That would definitely be the first place I tried this lovely!?
Woot! You’re so fun, Lexi!
It’s a blast! tee hee!
I clean my floor with steam & love it! It’d be great to tackle the rest of the house the same way.
It makes it actually fun!
I would love to use it to clean the floor at the base of my fridge, gunk builds up so bad there! This would make it easy!
Yes! I do that too. Awful stuff made easy.
The first project to tackle would be the shower. No tile here, but a plastic/fiberglass base and just enough texture to catch and keep all the grunge. I’m looking forward to making it go away!
I know what you mean! 😀
First thing I would clean is my cooktop. I thought that was amazing!
It was! Even I was flabbergasted and I’ve used it so many times. tee hee!
First thing I would clean is my stove!! I hate the smell of cleaning chemicals & it messes with my allergies!
It is just awful and creates a toxic environment. Not with this gem!
Looks like a remarkable product. Thanx for the chance to win one.
You will love it!
Thank you Loretta! I first saw the homeright sprayer with you and now this! Some of my favorite pieces of furniture are in our home, gifted to my children, and I leave a maximum of 3 favorite pieces in my garage to yet be done… I use chemical friendly cleaners already, but this seems like the extra boost that you need for some of the problem areas, in a safe way! Thank you, it is on my wish list!
Larissa! Talk to text, ugh, sorry!!
hahaha! I thought of myself as an old southern gal for a bit. 😀
You sound like me – I do the same.
At my age with arthritis in your spine a steam cleaner becomes a must. This product looks like it would do the job and then some.
Oh boy – not fun! This machine will be perfect.
This is so amazing. I always struggle to clean around fixtures, even scrubbing with a toothbrush. Some of that gunk just doesn’t want to let go. This looks like it makes short work of it!
I’m anal about it and this machine makes me a happy mama!
I love the machine. I would use it on my oven it is in need of a good cleaning. I ran something over and I cringe when I open the oven to bake something and the mess is still there. Ugh! I really need this machine.
Ugh…I’ve done that before. I always put it off which makes it worse.
I love your blog! I always look forward to seeing it! That steamer is so cool! It would save my back from scrubbing the tub and kitchen floor!
You deserve a hug, Patricia! 😀 Thank you for making me smile.
I would clean the bathrooms first, then the kitchen. They both need it!! Sure hope I win. Thanks.J
I wish I had one for everyone. I love it!
Looks like a cool machine to have. I could use it to clean my car.
It is, BUT…it’s not cool, it’s HOT! tee hee! Just kidding.
WOW! I have lots of places in my house I could use this steam machine! I had back surgery a few months ago and have neglected my shower due to not being able to bend over. I can see this as the perfect machine to help me out here. Thanks for the chance to win.
It sure would help you out. You will love it! 😀
LUV this! What a great saver of my 68 year old back on so many levels (pun intended) 😀
haha! Good one!
I would start with the bathroom!
Perfect! 😀
Forgot to mention I LUV my Homeright spray tents and sprayer too!!!!
I’m delighted to hear it. So fun to have cool tools!
I would see how well it can clean the shower tile and doors. It would be great if this job was easier!
Those can be beasts. This would work perfectly!
I would start with my laundry room! Clean first, then freshen with new paint and fun accessories!
There ya go!
I would clean the tile in my bathroom.
Sounds like a game plan. Yay!
Wow ! Looks like it would make cleaning much easier for an “older” lady.
I had no idea you could use it on so many things!
So cool, (or hot!) isn’t it? tee hee!
I ‘d never considered a steam cleaning machine before, but this thing looks awesome! You totally sold me when you mentioned that it gets the gunk from around faucets, lol. I would LOVE to have one of these!
I kinda blew it off years ago too, but then tried one and was sold. It’s so useful.
I definitely need to use the steam machine on one of my shower tiles!! Thank you for the helpful hints!!!
It makes that job soooo much better!
I would use the steam machine around my kitchen faucet. I have hard water and it looks terrible.
That is certainly no fun. But…this thing is. yay!!
I so want one of these, a must for any pet owner!
I follow their page and see where they were just bought out.
You ain’t kiddin! That is crazy cool to hear.
Thank you for sharing some more HomeRight steam cleaning tips. I couldn’t believe how well the auto machine worked in your vehicle and in your oven, but this new machine is looking nice in the white color and all those attachments and tools are awesome!
You bet! It makes my life simpler and I know many will love it too.
Can you steam clean walls? I was recently reminded how my mother used to have us wash the walls in our house yearly. Don’t tell her that I do not do that in my house now, but I do wonder if you could use the bonnet (or another attachment) and steam clean the walls? I might not do them every year but it certainly would do them more often than prior to painting them.
Absolutely! You can use a few of the accessories, just follow the instructions in the manual and you’ll be good to go.
So excited to see this post today! I’ve been shopping around for a cleaner like this, recently. So many bells and whistles! Of course, i’d have to tackle the bathroom 1st! (Sad face)
The have the whole package together in this deal. Such an awesome tool to have.
With 8 kids, what wouldn’t I clean with this!
Exactly! haha.
I would love to win this!! I have so many places I would use this, carpet, kitchen, bathroom and car!!
Wonderful! It sure is a blessing.
Oooh I would love that to clean around my faucets, it’s so hard to clean those!
Aren’t they a booger? Drives me crazy! and you know they’re disgusting. tee hee.
What an amazing machine! I’m not sure where I’d start first with so many dirty corners shouting ☺ Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway.
I have that same shouting in my house. woot!! 😀
I love the expression on your face! HaHa I would clean bathrooms. I hate cleaning bathrooms.
It’s for real, girl! hahaha!! Yes, bathrooms are not so much fun. We only have the one and you KNOW it gets a lot of use.
I’ve been eyeing these for so long for those little places (around facets) and struggling with grout on the floor!
Ugh…I’m right there with you. When I want it clean, I want it CLEAN. No leftover bluck for me. This works wonderfully!
Even though it’s only 2 of us old folk in our little house, our 3 big dogs keep us cleaning! I can imagine how lovely it would be to have this wonderful machine to clean the tiles at the back stairs and landing especially!
I totally get it! We have a cat and a dog and I often tell my kids that those two are more work than them. haha!
Ironically I have been reading lots of reviews about steam cleaners today!!! Then I saw your tips and cleaning secrets and THERE IT WAS — exactly what I want!! First thing I’ll tackle will be the den sofa — better known as “the dog’s sofa”! It’s light beige and I have a blanket and throw across it now because it is an embarrassment!! It’s still in great condition, just doggy-dirty from all our RAIN!!! Then I’ll probably clean our shower, and then and then…
Sweet! Yes, we love our pets, but BOY do they love on our furniture. You will love this SteamMachine Elite.
I’d love to win this — and did what I could with the entry form but don’t know anything about pinning or tweeting! Love following all your posts and am convinced you have more than 24-hrs in your days! Love your family!
Best wishes to you, Marti! I wish I had one of these for everyone. 😀
OK, so I so NEED this machine!! Wowza it sure would make tough jobs so much easier! Keeping my fingers crossed for the win! Thanks for having the contest!
I hear ya, Mary! It really simplifies all the cleaning jobs.
How does it handle sealed wood floors?
It works wonderfully. I just stuck to those two rooms for this post, but I have hardwoods throughout the rest of my home.
Oh, oh oh. I want one! We have all tile floors in our Arizona home. All that grout drives me crazy. I have been dreaming of a steam cleaner to help me keep up easily. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
I would go nuts! I really only like tile in the bathroom or entry. Hardwoods for me!
Another great giveaway! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win one of these great machines!
It is my absolute pleasure. 🙂
I would definitely start in my son’s bathroom!
Nuff said. hee hee. Better yet, let HIM do it. 😉
Quick! Clean! Fresh! That says it all!
amen and amen! 😀
SO COOL! I want to see what a steam machine could do for my poor shower… Great givaway! Thanks! ?
You’re welcome, Becky. 😀
I love this so much! I would first tackle my boys bathroom, in a hazmat suit ha ha
Hilarious!
Love all your posts and giveaways!!! I have a few places to start some deep cleaning!
Awww…you’re so fun, Maria! 😀
That looks like an awesome tool for anyone, especially if time is an issue, or if one hates cleaning !!!
You are so right. Everyone just needs to try it to see. It’s fun!
I would love to use the steamer to take on my bathrooms! Mainly the tub and shower need a deep clean. But I would also like to try to give my upholstery a good steam!
It always makes me in awe when I use it on upholstery. With 6 kids there’s always something!
I am also grossed out by the stuff that builds up around the taps and so that would definitely be the first thing I cleaned. Thanks for the chance to win.
Just so nasty! 😀 My pleasure.
This machine looks amazing. With 7 kiddos we have lots of messes this can tackle! I would definitely start in the bathrooms!
I definitely hear that. My crew of 6, plus hubby and pets is enough for me. 😀
Oh my, cleaning looks so easy with this device! Hope I can win and enjoy the process 😉
It really is all about setting it up and then running with it. You will love it! 😀
I would definitely clean my oven with it but I would love to see if it would help my baseboards.
The no-bending over part is a winner for me. 😉
I would tackle my bathroom first with this machine. It’s really neat not having to use any cleaning product with it.
Yes! Nature being used in the best way. Win!
First thing I would clean would be the bathroom.
Sounds good!
This would be amazing in the kitchen. Steam cleaning seems like the way to go.
It really is because it kills the germs better…sounds crazy but the clean is longer lasting for the daily grind gunk.
I would love to tackle the kitchen first. I have borrowed one before and I really want one of my own. I know just how awesome they can be and are!
Wahoo! I hope you win, Samantha.
The living room furniture. Especially the couch. The cats favorite spot.
Ugh…yes!! Always something with animals, but… I love them.
I need this in my life! Thank you for the chance to win it.
My absolute pleasure. 😀
Oh, I would tackle my faucets and then then the grout on my bathroom floor. I’m sure to be amazed by this wonderful steam cleaner!
You will! It’s so addictive. hee hee!
With 4 boys living here, I’d definitely tackle the bathrooms first!!
No more explanation needed. 😉
Gosh, I never thought about using something like this to clean some of these areas. I would love to win this! ??
There really isn’t anything you can’t clean with it…okay…maybe your kids. ha!
I would use it on some stubborn stains on my living room carpet and move on to the kitchen!
You would have a blast…literally!
I’d start with the shower door – thanks for the chance to win 🙂
You bet!:D
It’s a tie whether I’d hit the kitchen or bathroom first.
Same here on cleaning day. Oh what fun!
i would clean the exhaust fan in the kitchen
Aren’t those horrid to clean? I can’t complain though as I finally got ours installed after 3 years of waiting. Yay!
My bathroom tile could use a deep cleaning. But don’t they all? Lol.
YES!! haha.
Love cleaning the natural way when possible! Would tackle the shower first and then tile floors.
It makes you feel good inside and out. 🙂
I almost missed this giveaway, and boy would I give this machine a workout! I’m not sure there’s any surface, nook or cranny I wouldn’t blast. Once I’m finished with the inside of the house, I would hit the outdoor areas like my carport (packrats!) and my rubbermaid shed (more packrats!). Those little rodents are seriously destructive and leave behind quite a mess. I would love the chance to disinfect without chemicals.
It definitely sends you on a cleaning frenzy. So fun!
I have five children and three bathrooms with carpet. Enough said. (but I also love the idea of cleaning an oven with it!)
Truth. You will love it!
You really did some cleaning with the HomeRight SteamMachine Elite. I sure do need this especially in my bathroom! My shower and tile is in bad need of cleaning and I know after seeing your review the HomeRight SteamMachine Elite would do the job!
It’s kinda where once you get started you want to clean everything with it. Feels so good!
I would clean all of our mattresses and our couch.
Those kinds of cleanings feel so therapeutic. Whew!
Absolutely loved your holiday cleaning frenzy!! There is so much I’d love to tackle with a HomeRight SteamMachine Elite!! I would start with the nooks and crannies around numerous window and door seals & frames, as well as the spots where several appliances join against each other & the counter/wall. I’d also love to really tackle the FLOOR with a machine like this! 😀 Yay for safe chemical free cleaning!
Wahoo!! It was so fun to do because you don’t realize you’re cleaning. Yay!
I would start out cleaning the mud room tiles! This area gets a lot of daily traffic.
Oh yes, ours do too. Inevitable! 😀
I’d have to tackle the couch & everything that lurks beneath lol
Yes! I just worked on my channel back chair and it did wonders for it.