How to be the Hostess With the Mostest

If you’re opening your doors to friends or family, you want them to feel comfortable, welcome, and maybe a little impressed by your sparkling floors. So how can you be the best host?

I threw this question out on IG Stories recently and your responses were gold. We took the best of your ideas, mixed them with our own tried-and-true tips, and built the ultimate hostess article. Overnight guests, dinner parties, holiday chaos, you name it, we’ve got you covered.

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🧼 Pre-Party Prep (a.k.a. Get Your House Guest-Ready)

• Send the details early. Text your guests your address, parking info, and any tricky directions (Google Maps can’t always be trusted). Include gate codes or landmarks if you live somewhere hard to find.
• Mop those floors. A quick once-over makes your whole house feel cleaner instantly. Bust out your spin mop (USA | Canada) and our Tide® recipe (1tsp of powdered Tide® and 1 gallon of hot water) and get scrubbing.
• Make sure the dishes and glassware are spotless. Nothing ruins a fancy drink like lipstick on a “clean” glass. We swear by Cascade® Platinum dishwasher tabs (USA | Canada) to bring that sparkle.
• Check your serving supplies. Do you need extra disposable pans (USA | Canada), napkins, or utensils? To-go boxes (USA | Canada) to send leftovers home with your guests? Order ahead so you’re not scrambling.
• Oven liner = sanity saver. Pop one in before cooking (USA | Canada), especially if you’re hosting multiple meals. Cleanup will be a breeze.
• Ice, ice, baby. Start making or buying ice a couple of days in advance. You’ll never regret having too much.
• Stock up. Fill your fridge and pantry with easy snacks, breakfast items, coffee staples, and drinks. The golden rule: lots of food available, always. Don’t forget to check your toilet paper supply. 
• Set the vibe. Light a candle or turn on a diffuser, cue up a playlist, and dim the lights. “Alexa, play soft jazz.” (It’s a whole mood.) Bookmark your favorite playlists ahead of time.
• Delegate, always. Hosting is not a one-woman show. Kids can make place cards, your partner can help clean (not the gutters, stay focused), and someone can be in charge of refilling glasses during the party. Many hands make light work, and it lets you enjoy your own event.

🛏️ For Overnight Guests

• Fresh bedding and towels, always. Wash everything before they arrive so it feels hotel-fresh.
• Print and frame the Wi-Fi info. Bonus points for a cute frame or a scannable QR code.
• Add bedside chargers. Everyone forgets theirs, so a few extra cords will make you a hero.
• Create a guest basket. Include travel-size toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrush, tampons, deodorant, Advil or Tylenol, and anything else you’d find in a hotel room.
• Water and snacks are a must. A small tray or basket with a water bottle, granola bars, or chocolate is perfect for late-night cravings.
• Bathroom check. Make sure it’s stocked with soap, shampoo, and plenty of clean towels. This is the perfect use for all those hotel shampoos and conditioners you’ve been hoarding. 
• Help them help themselves. Show guests where to find things so they don’t feel awkward asking.

🍽️ For Dinner Parties and Gatherings

• Plan ahead, but not too much. A few activities are great, but leave time for casual visiting.
• Eat before your guests arrive. Trust us; hosts never eat once the party starts.
• Know your audience. Ask ahead about food preferences or allergies. Always have non-alcoholic drink options available.
• Prep what you can early. Chop, mix, and bake ahead of time so you can actually enjoy your party.
• Keep your cool. Things rarely go perfectly, and that’s okay. Your guests will remember your company, not your salad dressing.
• Temperature check. Turn the heat down before people arrive; lots of bodies in the house always makes it warmer than you want.
• If kids are coming… Consider safety and comfort: move breakables, have an area for nursing or diaper changes, and make sure parents can relax.
• Most important: have fun. You did the work, now enjoy the people you did it for.

Panic Cleaning, GoCleanCo Style (for when people are coming in 30 minutes)

Sometimes guests give you plenty of notice, and sometimes they’re pulling into the driveway in half an hour. This is your official permission to stop trying to clean the whole house and focus only on what people will actually see. Panic cleaning is an art, and we fully support it.

• Start with the spaces guests walk through. Front entry, bathroom, kitchen, living room. Bedrooms and closets do not count. Toss clutter into a room, shut the door, and carry on. No one should be snooping anyway.
• Bathroom: the fastest wins. Grab Windex and shine the mirror and faucet. Wipe the top of the toilet. Swap in a clean hand towel. Swiffer the baseboards. Done.
• Entryway: instant impact. Quickly tidy shoes and jackets. Hit the baseboards by the front door with a Swiffer. If those look clean, everything else magically feels cleaner.
• Kitchen: clear the chaos. Unload and reload the dishwasher. Empty the sink. Put away countertop clutter so the space feels calm and functional.
• Living room: reset the vibe. Fluff the pillows, fold or straighten blankets, light a candle, turn off the overheads, and flip on the lamps. Instant cozy.
• Lastly: breathe. Your house looks great. Your guests will feel welcome. And no one needs to know you did it all in 27 minutes flat.

💫 Final Tip: Don’t Overthink It

Your guests aren’t coming for perfection. They’re coming for you. A clean, welcoming home and a relaxed host go further than fancy table settings or perfect playlists. Prep, breathe, and remember: you’ve got this.

And for the record, the number one tip from our IG question box was “don’t host.” We hear you. But if you do decide to open your doors, these simple steps will make it feel easier, calmer, and a whole lot more fun.

Sarah