Why adults panic-clean before parents visit, according to psychology

The message is simple: “We’re coming over tomorrow.” Suddenly, the coffee mug that has been sitting on the table for two days becomes unacceptable. The laundry pile needs to disappear, the bathroom mirror needs cleaning, and even the shoes near the door start looking embarrassing. For many adults, this familiar panic-cleaning routine may seem like a simple attempt to make the house presentable. But psychology suggests that there can be more going on. The arrival of parents can turn an ordinary home into a space where people become more conscious of how they might be judged. Research on personal spaces, impression formation and housekeeping suggests that our surroundings can influence how others perceive us.