How To Fake A Spotless House In 6 Speedy Steps

While I’ve been sharing cleaning and decluttering tips here on my blog for over a decade, that doesn’t mean my house is always spotless — far from it! I face the same housekeeping struggles as anyone else, including the occasional need to straighten up my messy house as quickly as possible.

Three-panel image: achieving a spotless house by cleaning a surface with spray and cloth; a basket brimming with cleaning supplies; hands placing a trash bag in a bin.

But experience is an excellent teacher, and over time I’ve identified what I can do quickly to make my home appear clean even when it isn’t. Check out the most impactful steps to fake a spotless house below — they’re invaluable when you need to tidy up in a hurry!

6 Quick Steps To Fake A Spotless House

A person holding a wicker basket in a spotless house contains a pink sweater, a jar with green contents, blue kitchen utensils, and a book.

1. Do A Lap With A Decluttering Basket

I’m a big fan of using baskets for decluttering; a large, decorative basket can help you tidy up in record time. Just grab a basket and do a lap of the house (or at least the main gathering areas like the living and dining room) to gather up any obvious clutter or out-of-place items.

If you’re really pressed for time, you can stash your clutter basket in a closet or stack a couple of throw blankets on top to “camouflage” it. Either way, your house will look much tidier for it!

A person meticulously cleans the stainless steel refrigerator with a cloth in their kitchen, ensuring every surface gleams like new for a truly spotless house.

2. Wipe Down Shiny Surfaces

Glass and stainless steel surfaces do nothing to hide smudges, splatters, and dust, especially if they’re in direct sunlight. Quickly wiping down your glass coffee table, mirrors, fridge, and other shiny surfaces can go a long way toward making a space look more polished.

I keep a spray bottle of glass cleaner and a few non-abrasive microfiber cloths under my kitchen sink so I can quickly erase fingerprints from the fridge and other reflective surfaces. If the smudges aren’t too bad, a quick buff with the cloth alone gets the job done!

A person wearing a floral shirt diligently uses a spray bottle and a blue cloth to maintain a spotless house, meticulously cleaning the white countertop.

3. Clear Off Countertops

The kitchen counter is both a focal point of the room and a clutter hotspot, so it’s worth spending a few minutes to tidy it up. Start by clearing away any items that don’t belong there (see #1), then use an all-purpose cleaning spray and microfiber cloth to wipe the surface clean. (My Cleaning Kit has everything you need for this!)

A woman diligently cleans a bathroom mirror with a cloth, ensuring every corner gleams. By the sink, dotted with soap and vibrant green plants, she creates a truly spotless house.

4. Hit The Bathroom

If you’re expecting guests and need to clean up a bathroom fast, focus on a few key tasks instead of trying to speed-run your whole routine. Start by clearing away countertop clutter (even if that means dumping the clutter into a drawer), then wipe down the mirror, faucet(s), and sink(s).

Again, an all-purpose cleaner and a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth are all you need! I like to use my favorite DIY cleaner with Simple Clean essential oil blend to leave the bathroom smelling fresh and clean.

In a kitchen striving for a spotless house, a person carefully places a liner in the sleek stainless steel trash can.

5. Take Out The Trash

If the trash cans in the main areas of your house are more than halfway full, quickly emptying them can make your space look neater. Before adding a new garbage bag to your kitchen trash can, place a homemade deodorizer disk in the bottom to eliminate odors for up to a month!

A person in a floral shirt and pink pants sprays a bottle in a living room with a stone archway, striped sofa, and decorative pillows, ensuring every corner contributes to a spotless house.

6. Open A Window (Or Add A Fresh Scent)

It’s impossible to overstate the impact of fresh air and natural light on our perception of how clean a space is. Open your curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible, and if it’s too cold to open a window, spritz your curtains or upholstery with a naturally scented DIY room spray* for instant freshness that won’t overpower.

*Add 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 1/2 cups of distilled water, and 40 drops of Simple Clean to a 16-oz spray bottle. Replace the spray top and shake to mix.