Discover the little-known cleaning tip that teaches you to be a better guest!
By
Seia Ibanez
- Replies 6
Small acts of kindness, respect, and grace are surefire ways of making a pleasant impression on anyone you meet. That extends to being a guest in someone else’s home.
Whether it’s a casual visit or an overnight stay, being able to show your appreciation for someone’s hospitality in the form of a small gesture goes a long way.
One woman realised this at a young age thanks to her mum, who taught her an essential cleaning tip.
Shifrah Combiths shared a lesson about cleaning from her mum.
‘So much of being a parent is teaching our kids how to be good people out in the world, and I’ve realised lately that learning how to take care of your own home matters beyond its confines,’ she said.
‘How you treat your own home extends to how you treat others’ homes, directly influencing the kind of guest you are when you’re in other people’s spaces.’
‘For instance, because my home is a shoes-off household, I always ask if I should take off my shoes when I’m a guest.’
Shifrah also mentioned that because she was taught several home-keeping habits, it also changed how she behaved in other people’s homes.
But there was one habit that her mum taught her when you’re somewhere other than your home.
The tip is this: Wipe the bathroom counter after washing your hands.
‘Almost every time you wash your hands in the sink, you drip water on the countertop, whether it’s overspray from the faucet or drips from when you dry your hands,’ Shifrah shared.
‘My mum taught me to take a small piece of toilet paper and wipe up those drips, leaving a clean, dry counter.’
‘I do this every time I’m at somebody’s house, and even sometimes in public restrooms!’
Now, at first, this can seem like a strange thing to do, but it’s actually a very considerate gesture towards your hosts.
‘I remember my mum saying something along the lines of, “You shouldn’t leave any trace of yourself in other people’s bathrooms” and, honestly, it’s such good advice,’ Shifrah said, further stating that this is the advice she keeps in mind whenever she’s staying over someone’s home as an overnight guest.
‘It guides how I stash my belongings (ideally, in my guest area only) and take care of the bathroom in general,’ she said.
She also ensures that she wipes up any hair in the shower or on the floor, places countertop items where they were when she got there, and empties the rubbish.
Shifrah said that even if she’s staying for a few days or a couple of hours from someone’s house, she appreciates that she can ‘do a little something to be a thoughtful guest’, and she valued it even more, being taught by her mum!
‘An act as small as wiping up water drips not only keeps the room nice for other guests but also minimises cleanup for the hosts,’ she said.
‘No one will ever know I did it, but it’s a kind and considerate act, a small bit of good cheer, and the least I can do.’
Keeping your home nice and clean can be exhausting, especially when expecting guests around. But the good news is that one of the best cleaning methods is designed for people prone to cleaning fatigue—the 20/10 cleaning method! You can learn more about it here.
Members, do you have tips on how to be a better guest in someone’s home? Do you think Shifrah’s tip is helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
Whether it’s a casual visit or an overnight stay, being able to show your appreciation for someone’s hospitality in the form of a small gesture goes a long way.
One woman realised this at a young age thanks to her mum, who taught her an essential cleaning tip.
Shifrah Combiths shared a lesson about cleaning from her mum.
‘So much of being a parent is teaching our kids how to be good people out in the world, and I’ve realised lately that learning how to take care of your own home matters beyond its confines,’ she said.
‘How you treat your own home extends to how you treat others’ homes, directly influencing the kind of guest you are when you’re in other people’s spaces.’
‘For instance, because my home is a shoes-off household, I always ask if I should take off my shoes when I’m a guest.’
Shifrah also mentioned that because she was taught several home-keeping habits, it also changed how she behaved in other people’s homes.
But there was one habit that her mum taught her when you’re somewhere other than your home.
The tip is this: Wipe the bathroom counter after washing your hands.
‘Almost every time you wash your hands in the sink, you drip water on the countertop, whether it’s overspray from the faucet or drips from when you dry your hands,’ Shifrah shared.
‘My mum taught me to take a small piece of toilet paper and wipe up those drips, leaving a clean, dry counter.’
‘I do this every time I’m at somebody’s house, and even sometimes in public restrooms!’
Now, at first, this can seem like a strange thing to do, but it’s actually a very considerate gesture towards your hosts.
‘I remember my mum saying something along the lines of, “You shouldn’t leave any trace of yourself in other people’s bathrooms” and, honestly, it’s such good advice,’ Shifrah said, further stating that this is the advice she keeps in mind whenever she’s staying over someone’s home as an overnight guest.
‘It guides how I stash my belongings (ideally, in my guest area only) and take care of the bathroom in general,’ she said.
She also ensures that she wipes up any hair in the shower or on the floor, places countertop items where they were when she got there, and empties the rubbish.
Shifrah said that even if she’s staying for a few days or a couple of hours from someone’s house, she appreciates that she can ‘do a little something to be a thoughtful guest’, and she valued it even more, being taught by her mum!
‘An act as small as wiping up water drips not only keeps the room nice for other guests but also minimises cleanup for the hosts,’ she said.
‘No one will ever know I did it, but it’s a kind and considerate act, a small bit of good cheer, and the least I can do.’
Keeping your home nice and clean can be exhausting, especially when expecting guests around. But the good news is that one of the best cleaning methods is designed for people prone to cleaning fatigue—the 20/10 cleaning method! You can learn more about it here.
Key Takeaways
- Shifrah Combiths has taken forward a significant cleaning tip from their mum that helps them be a better guest.
- The tip involves wiping the bathroom counter clean after washing their hands, ensuring they don't leave any traces of their use.
- The author suggests that small acts like these, though not noticeable, show thoughtfulness and consideration towards the host.
- The author also feels that the way we take care of our own homes reflects how we treat others' homes and influences the kind of guest we are.