If you are in the process of selling your home, the time will come when you are asked to prepare for a show house. This is a day when potential buyers come to your property while you are out, and your estate agent shows them around and points out the good features.

This is a good chance for you to push your house prices up, and to really show off the best elements of your home. Key to a successful show house is striking the balance between cleanliness and a homely atmosphere.

You want your house to be sparkling; however, you don't want it to appear sterile or unlived in. In order to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, but one that is still spotless, get your cleaning done first, and apply a few simple touches to soften any sense of sterility.

To begin with you may want to hire a professional cleaning company. They will do the job to the highest standards and you will be able to relax on the day, safe in the knowledge that no corner has gone un-scrubbed. Make sure there's fresh linen on all the beds, and arrange flowers and bowls of fruit here and there to give that all-important homely impression.

Take care to eliminate any personal clutter from your surfaces - there should be absolutely no mess anywhere – and then take yourself out for the day and let the estate agent get on with the hard selling.