It seems like only yesterday we were vowing to get a move on that to-do list. And now loved ones (and other guests) are about to come knocking at the door and your home needs help—fast!

If this sounds familiar, here are a few quickie repairs and cover-ups you can do right now. When your guests depart you can tackle these projects in the long form, but in the meantime check out these shortcuts:

1. Squeaky floor: Do you walk into your favorite room only to have your wood floor greet you with a series of squeaks and moans? If so, you don't have to crawl under the house to repair it—a trip to the medicine cabinet will provide a temporary solution. Simply sprinkle baby powder where you hear the squeaks. This will absorb some of the space between the boards, giving you the peace and quiet you deserve.

2. Get a stain out: Before the appetizers have been served, red wine lands on your beautiful white carpet. What to do? Again, a trip to the bathroom is in order. First, absorb as much of the wine as you can without rubbing the stain. Next, mix a dollop of dishwashing liquid with a cup of hydrogen peroxide and gently dab the stain with a paper towel. Hydrogen peroxide is a form of bleach, so don't use it on a colored carpet. Table salt is often touted as a red wine stain reducer; pile it on, let it dry, then clean with a sponge and a bit of household detergent. If it's ink, you can use hairspray to remove the stain. Be sure to spray the area, dab, spray again, dab and continue this until the stain is gone.

3. Garbage disposal: A quick cleaning might be in order to remove any odors that are getting in the way of your holiday cooking. Just slice up a lime or a lemon and add about one cup of ice and salt and pour it into the disposal. Turn it on while running the hottest water your sink can muster. This concoction will help remove most odors in a matter of minutes. If you accidentally clog your disposal and it shuts down, it may just need to be reset. First, turn off the water and the switch to the disposal. Then look underneath the sink at the unit—there should be a red reset button or a hole where an Allen wrench fits. Either way, give the button a push or the wrench a turn and you will have a reset (and likely operational) disposal to work with.