It's 8 o'clock on a Wednesday night and you get that dreaded phone call. It's your best friend from high school. She is in town and she'll be over in 20 minutes. What do you say but yes and then as soon as you hang up you panic. Your living room looks like a hurricane has blown through. What do you do? Worry no more. By following these 10 speedy steps you'll have your living room in tip-top shape in no time.

Step One: Grab a basket and pick up toys, trash, anything that doesn't belong in the living room. Stash this basket in another room. You can empty it later. This will make an immediate improvement to the room.

Step Two: Pick up the mail and put it away.

Step Three: Stack books and magazines into a neat pile on the table.

Step Four: Run a rag over all flat surfaces. The goal is to quickly get rid of dust.

Step Five: Straighten couch cushions. Run a hand-held vacuum over it if you have pets.

Step Six: Quickly vacuum main areas. If you run out of time just pick up any noticeable pieces of lint from the floor.

Step Seven: Turn up all the lights. Brighter not darker helps a dirty house look clean.

Step Eight: Light a candle. Not only do they smell good but makes guests feel welcomed.

Step Nine: Make a pitcher of lemonade in your most beautiful pitcher. Guests will notice this more than a dirty house.

Step Ten: Clean yourself up. Change your shirt, brush your hair and spritz yourself with some perfume. An up-grade of your appearance makes it look as if everything is under control.

The mad rush of cleaning does not have to occur, if you stay caught up on your housework. Since most of us are very busy and life gets the best of us, use these speedy 10 steps and your living room will look great in no time.

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