If there is one thing that irks me about visiting other people's homes, it is when I walk around in socks and they end up filthy. That’s why I have started doing a ‘white sock test’ before my guests come to visit.
The check is simple. After cleaning my floors, I will walk around for an hour or so in plain white socks to check my results. Dirty after an hour? Time to go back to the mop.
It's perfect for ensuring cleanliness to impress guests – but professional cleaners warn that it might not give the full picture. Here’s what they want you to consider when trying this cleaning tip in your own home.
The White Sock test
Whether mopping and cleaning a floor without streaks or trying to get the most from your vacuum cleaner, the white sock test is a great visual tool to help you check how clean the surfaces of your floor are after you have run through your usual cleaning non-negotiables.
This way, no guests are left grimacing when they get home and take off their shoes.
It might sound like a tiny detail – but it’s often the simplest tasks on a pre-guest cleaning checklist that add up when trying to impress guests, especially those staying for a few days.
Petya Holevich, house cleaning expert and supervisor at Fantastic Services, says, ‘The “white sock test” can be a useful visual check, quickly revealing visible dirt, dust or leftover cleaning solution. I’d say the test can be a quick confidence check.’
That being said, white socks can’t reveal the full story, she warns.
Scott Schrader, professional cleaner with CottageCare, explains, ‘What it won’t show are sticky films left from soap residues, bacteria, or allergens.
'A floor that appears clean on socks may still have built-up grime in grout lines, corners, or on textured flooring – such as vinyl plank.
'For professional results, I always rely on cleaning correctly by vacuuming before mopping, matching the correct cleaner(s) for the floor type, and rinsing the floor really well to eliminate streaks or build-up.’
For wooden flooring, we suggest the Method Almond Floor Cleaner from Target, as it is made with plant-based ingredients and is cruelty-free. For tile floors, the Bona Multi-surface Cleaner, also from Target, is ideal, especially when paired with the Libman floor scrubbing brush, from Walmart, to help reach dirt stuck in small crevices.
‘I am not opposed to a white sock test,’ Scott adds. ‘If a homeowner is using it just as a quick reference, it can be motivating and rewarding. Just remember again, it is a surface check, not a hygiene check.’
The white sock test also, of course, does not target any other high-touch surfaces to clean before and after guests, so be sure to pair this hack, as I do, with an all-purpose spray such as the Attitude Cleaning Spray, from Walmart and a cloth to dust and disinfect surfaces as you walk around.
My pre-guest cleaning essentials
White socks show everything, from dirt to loose pet hair, making them perfect for checking the surface of your floor.
I use the Black & Decker steamer all over my home, from steam mopping hard floors to freshening up carpets. It is my number one tool for sanitizing floors without chemicals before guests arrive.
There isn't always time to pull out the vacuum cleaner when guests are on the way. For quick maintenance, a handy dust pan and brush works perfectly for loose crumbs and debris.
Microfiber cloths are my go-to for polishing and disinfecting surfaces before guests arrive, helping to collect debris that can quickly be shaken into the trash.
The Damp Duster is great for allergy sufferers as it removes all dust, pollen, pet hair, and more. Affordable, reusable, and conveniently sized, and, better yet, the Damp Duster is easy to clean – simply wash with water to remove dust and reuse.
The Method products kill two metaphorical birds with one stone, disinfecting surfaces while making your home smell nice.
Meet the experts
I usually pair the white sock test with the guest scanning method, clearing visual mess and clutter before guests arrive, too.
