It’s inevitable when providing homestay accommodation, taking an extra person into your home, that your housework will increase marginally. Don’t let this put you off, just employ some, or all of the below tricks I use, to absorb it!

1/Consider being a ‘shoes off’ host family homestay. Lots of wet dirt and stuff gets stuck to the soles of those shoes then walked around your whole house! Going shoes off makes a HUGE difference to the amount of vacuuming and dust busting you do! Especially in winter! Have slippers lined up at the door for a warmer welcome!

2/Put EVERYTHING possible in the dishwasher! I was always sceptical about this but the trick is all in the loading! Pots and grubbier things at the bottom, glasses etc on top. It might be worth rinsing or soaking beforehand, but this is still less work than scrubbing them! Worst case scenario the dishwasher fails and you’re no worse off than where you started!

3/My favourite bathroom trick is a daily quick wipe! I just use whatever I’m about to throw in the wash, to give the area a quick wipe down. It’s usually already pretty wet (thanks kids) so this action also saves on the potential for mould to build up.

There you go, tips for a harmonious homestay! Happy hosting!