Skip to Content

How I trick my mother-in-law into thinking I cleaned (when I didn’t)

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more info.

Did your mother-in-law just call and say she’s headed over without much notice?  Is she making a surprise visit and staying the weekend?  Here are a few tips to straighten out your house quickly.  No cleaners or brooms necessary!

Here are some great cleaning tricks to make your house look great. It's how I trick my mother-in-law that I cleaned when I really didn't! :) #Cleaning #organizing #Declutter #SAHM #WAHM

How I trick my mother-in-law into thinking I cleaned

First impressions Where will your company enter your house?  Will she come in through the front door?  Straighten any porch furniture and get the kids to put all their outside toys away.  Most people come through our garage, so I put the kids to work, organizing the bikes and outside toys.  I put all the shoes in our shoe closet and shut the door.

Dirty Dishes If you have dishes in the sink and the dishwasher is full (with clean or dirty dishes), just fill your sink up with soapy water.  You can’t see the dirty dishes and it’s looks like you’re doing something about them. (My mother-in-law actually gave me this tip.) 🙂

Clean Kitchen Towels I always keep kitchen towels on my stove and it usually looks a mess.  Just change them out with some fresh ones.  I normally have a washcloth in the sink, so I throw that in the hamper and grab a clean one to lay it across the sink.

Air Freshener!  Does your house smell clean?  I love eucalyptus oil in my defuser.  It has such a “clean” smell.  It doesn’t take long for the house to have a nice scent.

Empty the trash Is the bathroom trash overflowing?  When you walk by your kitchen garbage can, does it smell like the dump.  Just take it out and replace it with a fresh bag.

Bathroom If she’s staying the night, I would get to the bathroom quick.  Rinse out the sink.  All my company shares a bathroom with my kids and there always seems to be brushes and hair gel tubes all over the counter.  Clean those off and put toothbrushes and toothpaste away.  I have some baskets similar to these for each of my kids to keep their stuff.  We can keep everyone’s bathroom essentials separate and makes it’s easy to put away.  Put out some fresh towels on the towel rack.

Quick walk through  Grab a bag or basket and walk through the main areas of your house and pick up anything that’s not in the right place.  Get the toys, trash, and dirty clothes off the floor.  I alway find little Tinkerbell shoes and Legos all over and even an occasional granola bar wrapper.

These are just some quick tips without getting out any cleaners and rags.   What do you do at your house that’s quick and easy?

You may also like this cleaning post too.

You think your house is clean, but most people forget some things. Here are 50 places that most people forget to clean. Not anymore!

50 Place people forget to clean

Here are some great cleaning tricks to make your house look great. It's how I trick my mother-in-law that I cleaned when I really didn't! :) #Cleaning #organizing #Declutter #SAHM #WAHM

Susan

Monday 11th of January 2016

When I visit I help clean up. I used to be a stay at home mom. A helping hand is always appreciated. Except for my daughter. She would rather I spend my time with the grand children. She puts the dirty dishes in the oven so I won't start doing them.

julie

Monday 22nd of February 2016

I've been known to shove the dirty dishes in the oven. Even in the cabinet under the sink before I had a dishwasher. The main thing with that is to not forget you did it.

Julie

Sunday 24th of January 2016

To Susan: My mom's name is also Susan and I thought your comment could have been hers, except that I don't put my dirty dishes in the oven. Try not to take offense to your daughter not wanting help. If she's like myself, she appreciates that you want to help, but would just rather do her own housework and let you enjoy your time at her home.

Toma Nator

Monday 19th of October 2015

I love just hearing that other women do this too! I've been known to shove all dirty dishes in the dishwasher without wiping or proper organizing. I'll stick them in, wipe down the sink area and after everyone is gone, take them out and load the dishwasher properly for washing. Until then, out of sight, out of company's mind!

Toma Nator

Monday 19th of October 2015

I love just hearing that other women do this too! I've been known to shove all dirty dishes in the dishwasher without wiping or proper organizing. I'll stick them in, wipe down the sink area and after everyone is gone, take them out and load the dishwasher properly for washing. Until then, out of sight, out of company's mind!

Kelly

Monday 7th of September 2015

Great helps! Years ago, I used to swab the entryway with Lysol; everyone always thought I had just finished cleaning! lol I shared your tips with my daughter. ;)