I love everything about throwing parties except… clean up! In fact, it’s one of my least favorite things to do. My husband is of the mindset that we should leave the mess until the morning, but that’s just not how I roll. I’m not super Type-A about cleanliness, but I do need to put things back into some semblance of order to be able to go to bed.

So here are my tips for avoiding that dreaded let-down called “after-party clean up.”

1. Make sure you’ve prepped your house beforehand. Clear up counter space to make room for dirty dishes, and make sure your dishwasher is empty before the party even starts.

2. Use disposable flatware, plates, and napkins if you’re having a lot of guests. While not the best eco-friendly option, no one wants to run load after load in the dishwasher, which also uses water, electricity, and soap.

3. Enlist a friend, and together do small amounts of clean up during the party. I like to grab a friend, and while we’re chatting,  both do a little clearing or putting things back in the fridge.

4. Now that spring is almost here, host your party outside. No one worries about spilled wine on the grass.

5. But just in case, keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water around (my favorite stain remover). It will come in handy when chocolate cake ends up on your white couch.

6. After the party is over, use this mental trick while cleaning up. Instead of focusing on your disheveled house, reminisce about the best or funniest moments of the party (this is fun to do with your husband or friend). It will make the task at hand seem that much more palatable, and probably make you want to do it again… kind of like childbirth. 🙂