by Miranda Miller-Smith

Created on: March 23, 2010   Last Updated: October 18, 2010

If you have a hectic schedule like I do, you will agree it is quite a task to keep your home clean and presentable. This is especially true if you have little ones running about. If you are anything like me you will agree that after spending your valuable time and devoting a considerable effort into your house keeping routine there is nothing that screams disrespect like a messy guest.

Having house guests has always been a source of stress in my life. After silently enduring quite a few messy guests I finally learned how to cope. I realize not everyone maintains their home to my standards of cleanliness. I understand that I am hard to please and I am easily disgusted by a filthy home, but not everyone feels that way. I would like to share with you a few tips to deal with a messy guest.

First, consider the person whom is making the mess. Is this a frequent visitor or someone who rarely graces your house with their presence? If the guest is making a mess on a regular basis consider a friendly approach. As an example- if the messy guest is a friend of your child or a close friend of your own you could say “Well, we consider you a part of the family, so I must ask you to follow the rules too. Please throw your water bottle away when you are finished.” (Feel free to insert whatever in this sentence, such as pick up after yourself, remove your shoes and so on.)

If the guest is rarely around it might be best to just silently endure the mess. You wouldn’t want to hurt grandma’s feelings and have her never come back over not picking up after herself.

One of my male friends was notorious for urinating on the bathroom floor. After numerous polite comments I finally decided to be blunt. I informed him no, he could not use of restroom. When he inquired why not I told him “ I don’t have the time or desire to clean up after you. I know you have been urinating on my floor.”

When it comes to a messy guest, you do have options. You can politely tell the person what bothers you, you can bluntly tell them what needs to change, or you can grin and bear it. There is a good chance that the guest does not realize they are making a mess. Bringing it to their attention is likely to put a stop to the behavior. If the messes continue or grow more severe after the discussion, you can stop allowing this messy person access to your home, you can start meeting at a public place or you can go to their house instead. 

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