10 “Quick Cleans” That Don’t Fool Southern Company
There’s a difference between looking clean and being clean. Southern guests might be polite, but they’ve been raised to notice the little stuff. These are the “quick fixes” that won’t pass the test.
Lighting a Candle to Mask Smells
Lighting a candle without actually cleaning the source doesn’t hide much. If anything, it makes people wonder what you’re covering up. Clean first, then light the candle—don’t try to skip a step.
Tossing Everything into One Room
You shoved all the mess into the guest room and closed the door, thinking it’s fine. But if someone needs to put down a purse or asks for a tour, that door is getting opened. Don’t risk it.
Flipping Couch Cushions
If there are crumbs or pet hair, flipping the cushion doesn’t solve it. It transfers the mess or hides a worse stain. Run the vacuum and take the time to actually clean it instead.
Spraying Air Freshener Without Cleaning
It doesn’t matter how fresh it smells if the sink still has grime or the floors are sticky. A fake citrus scent on top of a mess only makes it worse.
Shoving Dishes in the Oven
That might work until someone needs to use it—or smells the leftovers baking next time you preheat it. If you’re out of time, at least rinse and stack neatly in the sink.
Closing Shower Curtains Over a Dirty Tub
It’s tempting to hide a messy tub behind a curtain, but Southern mamas know better. If they use the bathroom, they’re peeking behind it. A dirty shower screams “I didn’t really clean.”
Turning Off the Lights in Messy Rooms
Hoping no one notices because the lights are dim? Doesn’t work. If they peek in or walk through, they’ll notice dust, clutter, and unwashed windows whether it’s lit or not.
Making the Bed Over Dirty Sheets
A freshly made bed with musty sheets or visible pet hair doesn’t fool anyone. If you didn’t have time to wash them, at least shake them out and make them smell clean.
Sweeping Dirt Under Rugs
You might think you’re being sneaky, but that crunchy sound under the rug gives you away. People notice if something feels off when they walk. Just sweep it up for real.
Stuffing the Trash Can Down
If the trash is full, pushing it down doesn’t solve anything. The next person who throws something away will see the mess—and smell it. Take it out instead of compacting it into a science project.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
