Having unexpected guests in an hour can create a moment of panic, especially if you haven't cleaned your house for a couple of days. From coffee cups on the side table to dirty towels on the bathroom floor, your home could be a complete source of embarrassment. Your aim is to make your house look clean and tidy in under an hour, so save the oven-scrubbing for another day. Concentrate on the most visible offenses to the eye, and your guests won't likely notice the little details you never had time to finish.
Grab an empty laundry basket and go through all the public areas of the house. Pick up everything that doesn't belong in its current room and place it in the basket, unless it is a dish or glass. Pay no attention to what's going in the basket at this point; you'll deal with it later. Place the filled laundry basket into a bedroom and shut the door. Shut the rest of the bedroom doors as well.
Put all the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. Go through the entire house and search for stray glasses, coffee mugs and plates. Start the dishwasher so that it finishes before your guests arrive.
Dust all the flat surfaces in the living room, including the television screen, stereo equipment and any shelves you may have.
Wipe down your kitchen counters and table. Scrub out the sink. Add a tablecloth or centerpiece to your kitchen table, even if it's just a bowl of apples.
Scrub the bathtub, sink and mirror in the bathroom that your guests will use. Swish out the toilet with toilet cleaner. Ensure all laundry is picked up and in a hamper or bedroom. Hang out fresh towels.
Sweep your kitchen and bathroom floors, and vacuum any carpeting you have in the main portions of the house.
Set out pretty scented candles and light them.