How to keep your house clean when it’s on the market

Selling a house can be both an exciting and busy time. With the prospect of a new dwelling on the horizon, it’s easy to overlook how much work goes into keeping a house clean and ready for potential buyers. Here are a few tips to keep your home show-ready in the midst of everyday life.

• Only use one bathroom. The bathroom is one of the most conspicuous places for potential buyers and, by nature, one of the dirtiest in your home. If possible, reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do by choosing one bathroom for daily use and keeping the others off limits for now.
• Designate a playroom. Instead of chasing down toys in every corner of the house, try confining your kids’ toys, books and games to one room. This will help make last-minute cleanup fast and easy for the whole family.
• Clean as you go. Unload the dishwasher right away so you don’t end up with a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Wipe down the bathroom mirror and sink every morning after everyone has finished prepping for the day. Quickly clean the trash can each time you take out the garbage to eliminate lingering odors. Putting in this extra effort will relieve stress when it’s time for a showing.