BoomerGirl.com

When you're hosting a dinner party, you'd rather spend your time cooking than cleaning. But before you dim the lights and pass the pasta, you'll need to do some tidying up. Spread the chores over two days.

Day One: "Focus on the high-traffic areas your company will see — in this case the dining room or family room, and the kitchen," says Laura Dellutri, author of "Speed Cleaning 101." Pick up clutter, dust all surfaces, polish the table and, if there is a china cabinet, clean the glass. Vacuum last because dust tends to sink to the floor as you work.

Even if you don't really want your guests in the kitchen, they often gather there anyway. So damp-mop the kitchen floor, or at least sweep or vacuum. Clear the counters and wipe them all down; ditto for the appliances you keep in plain view. If having anyone glimpse the inside of the refrigerator or microwave would prove mortifying, wipe down the interiors with warm soapy water or water and baking soda.

In the bathroom, inexpensive and environmentally friendly white vinegar in a spray bottle will clean almost every surface — walls, mirrors, countertop, sink, faucets and floors — says Kathy Peel, author of "Desperate Households." Pour a cup (or more) of undiluted vinegar in the toilet bowl to remove rings, leaving it overnight.

Although not as green as vinegar, window cleaner with ammonia will give an instant shine to the whole room, says Davida Sidrane Hogan, lifestyle director at Woman's Day magazine. She keeps packets of glass cleaner wipes in the medicine cabinet for quick touch-ups.

Day Two: Check everything that will go on the dining table to make sure it's presentable: A tablecloth should be clean and pressed; placemats and napkins should be spot-free. Rarely used dishes and glasses may need a run through the dishwasher if they show spots or dust; fragile pieces may require washing by hand. (Tip: Line the sink with a folded dish towel to prevent breakage.) In a pinch, a clean microfiber cloth is great for removing water spots on china and silver, says Donna Smallin, author of "The One-Minute Cleaner."

After all that cooking, you'll want to leave time before guests arrive to clean the sink and to wipe down countertops, stove top, fridge front and cabinets (survey for spills on base cabinets). In the bathroom, put out fresh hand towels (they can be paper) and soap. Even better: Use a pretty pump bottle of liquid soap because "they leave so little mess," Peel says.

And don't forget cut flowers or a favorite bowl for the dining table, says Sandra Felton of Messies Anonymous. "I think beauty and charm distract from many of the other things."

A final tip from Peel: "Candlelight is your best friend."