The holiday season is swiftly approaching and stress levels are at an all-time high, especially if you plan on having family and friends over for dinner. Preparing your home for guests is a combination of strategic planning and general cleaning. You will want your house to be clean for your guests, but you will also want to be ready for the mess your guests can create. Here are five ways to prepare and clean your home before your guests arrive.

Entrance Mats: Prevent guests from tracking dirt and moisture into your home with a first line of defense. An entrance mat will protect your floors and carpets from you and your guests by keeping dirt at the door. We recommend having a scrapper mat outside and an absorbent mat inside.

Garbage Cans: If people can’t find a garbage can there is a chance that they will not throw out their trash. We have all been at a dinner party before where the hosts have a hidden garbage can somewhere in their kitchen cabinets. You should place garbage cans strategically around your home so that your guests can easily find them and dispose of their trash.

Garbage Bags: Garbage cans need garbage bags to keep them from becoming smelly and dirty. Before a party you should line your trash can with multiple garbage bags so when you take out your trash you don’t need to worry about relining it. This will save you time and protect you in case a bag leaks.

Prepare for Stains: Accidents happen which is why you should always be prepared. Make sure you have a stain removal agent on hand in case one of your guest’s spills there drink or drops their food. The most common stain associated with diner parties are red wine stains. To remove red wine stains, first blot the area with a towel. Continue blotting the area while adding club soda, the carbonation will lift the stain. Continue to add club soda and blot as needed until the stain is gone. Note you should never scrub the stain; this will cause it to set in deeper in the fabric.

Hire a Cleaning Company: Hiring cleaning professionals for a general cleaning of your home is the most stress free way to prep your home for a party. We recommend basic services such as carpet vacuuming, floor washing and dusting to have your home looking clean and presentable when your guests arrive.