How to Prep Your Bathroom for Guests

First thing’s first, you’ll need to make sure your bathroom is spotless. Hosting overnight guests is a great opportunity to do a bathroom deep clean. That way, once the visit is done, you get to reap the rewards of a freshly cleaned bathroom. Here’s what we recommend:

• Start by attacking every surface in the bathroom. Using cleaning wipes or a dishtowel and all-purpose cleaner, wipe down the sink, top of the toilet and any shelves or cabinetry in the bathroom.
• Once the primary wipe-down is complete, use targeted sprays and tools for specific areas in the bathroom. Use tile spray and a cleaning brush to make the shower and bathtub sparkle. Use toilet bowl cleaner and a toilet scrub to clean the toilet basin. Use glass cleaner to remove any smudges that might be on the mirror.
• Working from top to bottom is a good cleaning technique. Once you’ve cleaned surfaces and countertops, move on to the floors. Pull out your mop and make them shine.
• And of course, be sure to empty the trash bin.

Tip: You can ensure a streak-free mirror by using a newspaper, not a towel or rag, as your wipe. This material won’t leave smudges!

Whether your guest bathroom is a shared family space you’re lending to visitors, a backup bath you only use every once in a while or it’s one typically used by the kids, chances are, there’s a bit of clutter in it. Remove any odds and ends that don’t serve the guest. Errant hair ties, personal robes, kid’s toys and products, half-used tooth paste or shampoo – it should all go. Move these items to your personal bathroom, or in the case of half-used product, consider tossing.

It is likely that your guest will be bringing some personal items with them. It’s thoughtful to ensure they have a spot to hang any items that need hanging and to set up a changing or grooming station. If your bathroom isn’t already equipped with these elements, pick up some adhesive storage hooks and a presentable cart or small end table to place in the bathroom’s corner. In your own home, shuffling back and forth from bedroom to bathroom isn’t a big deal, but when staying in a stranger’s home, that isn’t ideal. Make sure your guest has all they need, including space, in their bathroom.

Tip: Use a bucket to easily collect all the items that you want to get out of the way but don’t necessarily want to throw out. You’ll avoid having to shuffle back and forth between the bathroom and the storage spot, and the bucket will function as a singular place to keep all of these bits and pieces. It will be that much easier to return things to their typical resting spot once guests have left.

Essentials:

• Once the bathroom is clean, assess the status of your essentials. Is there plenty of toilet paper stocked? Hand soap? Tissues? These are all important things that can easily run low in a guest’s bathroom. Make sure your visitor will be all set and that you won’t have to restock during their stay.
• It’s essential that you provide your guest with a fresh set of bath towels – they’ll need a set with large bath towels and a couple hand towels. A nice touch is to opt for a luxurious, extra-soft set. If you have one especially fancy set of towels, save them for your guests’ visits.
• Fold the towels so they look nice and presentable or hang them neatly from a towel bar. You want to visually cue that they are fresh and intended for use.

Provide Toiletries:

• We’ve all been there – at some point during the travel and packing process, you forgot a crucial item. Things like toothbrushes, face soap, nail clippers and many others are easily left behind. Somehow, something simple but essential almost always doesn’t make it into the bag. Make sure this very common mishap doesn’t bring your guests down by preparing an essentials kit. Your guest may not use all of the contained items, but there’s a chance you save them a trip to the drugstore, and it is a thoughtful touch regardless.

Here are the things, travel sized or full, that you should make sure are waiting for your guests in the bathroom:

• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Cotton balls
• Nail clippers
• Soap
• Moisturizing cream
• Cotton swabs
• Hair dryer
• Floss
• Disposable razor
• Pain medicine
• Hair ties

Make sure your bathtub and shower are presentable and replace the shower curtain if it’s looking a bit worn. Either clean or swap in a brand new bath mat – the plusher, the better.

If you’re outfitting a bathroom that doesn’t get much use, test the showerhead. If it is leaky or provides a lackluster trickle, replace it.

Tip: Nice bath extras include loofahs, sponges, bath salts and other sorts of items that feel like they came straight from a spa.

To make a bathroom as inviting as possible, give some thought to light and color. If your bathroom has windows, make sure they’re clean, giving them a wipe with glass cleaner if they need it. Make sure any drapes or curtains are a pleasant color and will let light in while blocking any neighbor’s view. Think about fabric touches and accessories as an opportunity to brighten things up. Choose light towels and bath mats, light wood pieces and white nautical elements like shells or even sea glass.

A bit of luxury in the bathroom is a lovely thing, especially when you’re traveling. Make sure your guests feel like they’re being treated by setting out fresh flowers. Set out a room freshener, candle, incense or potpourri, so the room smells good and has an extra feeling of warmth. Keep things simple, elegant and fresh.

If you have spare surfaces, think about decorative elements. Wall accents, plants (if the light isn’t good, opt for an artificial plant) and vintage baskets are all lovely additions.

The final element that will really demonstrate going above and beyond is setting out a bathrobe and slippers. You want your guest to feel like they’re being treated to a deluxe stay; these final touches will help achieve that.