Before and after: hosting a graduation party at home

We cleaned for a lot of graduation parties this month. The ones that went smoothest planned the cleaning around the party, not just before it.

The week before

• Clear the main floor of clutter early, so you can see what needs work.
• Clean the guest bathroom last, the day before.
• Set out extra trash and recycling bins where people will be standing.

The day after

Spills on carpet and upholstery should be blotted that night, even if everything else waits. Sticky floors and the kitchen can wait until morning. Or book us for the day after, which is usually easier to schedule than the day before.