The new year offers a fresh start and an opportunity to develop better habits. One area we can improve is keeping our homes tidy and well-organized. A clean home provides a peaceful environment and can improve your mood and outlook.
Below are 12 cleaning tips to help you start the new year off right by getting your home sparkling clean. Implementing just a few of these can make a big difference!
Do a Deep Clean of Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and keeping it clean should be a priority. Here are some tips for a deep clean of your kitchen:
Clear Countertops and Deep Clean Surfaces
- Remove everything from your countertops and clean them thoroughly with a disinfecting spray or wipes.
- Clean the outside of appliances by removing grease and food buildup.
- Clear any items on top of your refrigerator and cabinets and wipe down the tops and fronts.
- Clean stove drip pans and reflectors by soaking in hot sudsy water if needed.
- Shine up metal fixtures like faucets and handles by using a mix of baking soda and vinegar.
Organize Cupboards and Pantry
- Take everything out of cabinets and wipe down shelves.
- Throw away expired food items from pantries and reorganize items by category.
- Add organizers or extra shelves if needed to separate items and make them easy to find.
Clean Inside Microwave, Oven, and Fridge
- Remove built up food and grease from inside your microwave with a mix of baking soda and water.
- Use oven cleaner and let set to remove stuck-on grime before scrubbing clean.
- Empty and wipe down shelves, bins, and drawers in your refrigerator. Don’t forget the seals!
Shine Up Flooring and Backsplash
- Sweep and mop floors thoroughly, getting into corners and crevices.
- Use a grout brush and cleaner to refresh grout lines on tile backsplashes. They’ll look new!
Take Out Trash and Recycling
- Empty the trash and wipe out cans to remove odors before replacing bags.
- Ensure recycling bins are free of food and rinse clean.
Following these kitchen cleaning tips will make your kitchen shine!
Declutter and Organize Your Bedroom Closet
Is your bedroom closet overflowing with clothes and a jumbled mess? Bring peace and serenity back to your personal oasis by decluttering and getting organized.
Clear Out Clothes You Don’t Wear
- Be ruthless and honest about items you haven’t worn in over a year – donate or throw them away.
- Try on clothes that are questionable and purge items that don’t fit well or aren’t flattering anymore.
Arrange Clothes by Category
- Group like items together – pants, shirts, dresses, outerwear, etc.
- Use space saving organizers to neatly store accessories like belts, scarves, and purses.
Maximize Space with Closet Organizers
- Add shelves high up for storage or for stowing little used items like travel bags.
- Use over-the-door racks for hanging additional clothes or accessories.
- Try a closet organizer system with drawers to neatly corral undergarments, socks, sweaters, etc.
Store Shoes Tidily
- Use a shoe rack inside your closet to neatly line up all your footwear.
- Add a basket for heel caps, shoe deodorizers and polish/cleaning supplies.
- Put seasonal shoes into breathable storage boxes on a high shelf.
Add Nice Touches
- Incorporate scent with cedar blocks or sachets.
- Use drawer organizers for jewelry, watches, sunglasses, and small personal items.
- Add battery powered lighting so you can easily see everything.
A decluttered closet with a place for everything will start your days off right! Follow these tips and you’ll love getting dressed each morning.
Freshen Up Your Bedding
Your bedding collects sweat, skin cells, oil, and other dirt that builds up over time. Here are some tips for making bed linens feel fresh and clean again:
Wash Sheets and Pillowcases Weekly
- Use hot water and add baking soda or vinegar to remove odors and brighten whites.
- Wash pillow protectors every other week or when pillows feel flat.
Disinfect and Deodorize Mattress
- Sprinkling baking soda over mattress, let sit 30 mins, vacuum up.
- Spray diluted white vinegar and let dry to freshen.
Replace Pillows Every 2 Years
- Switch to new pillows for better support and cleaner surface.
- Wash or replace pillow protectors every few months.
Clean and Fluff Comforter
- Spot clean comforter stains with upholstery cleaner.
- Every 3 months, take to dry cleaner for deep cleaning.
Wash Duvet Cover
- Remove from insert to machine wash every 2 weeks.
- Use tennis balls in dryer to fluff it back up.
Tidy Bedside Areas
- Dust surfaces and wipe down with disinfectant.
- Vacuum around and under bed to remove dust and dirt.
A clean and fresh smelling bed makes for a wonderful night’s sleep and productive morning! Follow these tips regularly.
Deep Clean Your Bathrooms
Bathrooms harbor lots of germs and need disinfecting regularly. Here are tips for deep cleaning your bathroom from top to bottom:
Clean Grimy Tile Grout
- Apply grout cleaner and let soak for 5 minutes.
- Scrub with a grout brush to remove buildup and re-whiten.
Disinfect Shower Head and Tub
- Remove shower head and soak in white vinegar solution.
- Scrub tub with baking soda paste, then rinse clean.
Remove Soap Scum from Glass
- Wipe down with squeegee after showering to prevent buildup.
- Use razor blade to scrape off existing scum.
Clean Inside Toilet Bowl
- Scrub inside of bowl with pumice stone to remove stains.
- Clean underside of toilet rim to eliminate hidden germs.
Dust Light Fixtures
- Use microfiber duster to remove dust from light fixtures.
- Wipe down mirror frame and glass surfaces with glass cleaner.
Refresh Walls and Baseboards
- Spot clean walls with warm water and all-purpose cleaner.
- Scrub baseboards with baking soda paste and rinse.
Sanitize Countertops and Sinks
- Disinfect countertops and sinks by using antibacterial wipes.
- Remove built-up soap scum, toothpaste, and grime.
Take the time every couple of months to thoroughly deep clean your bathroom. You’ll appreciate how fresh everything looks and feels!
Clean Inside Kitchen Cabinets
Out of sight, out of mind—it’s easy to overlook just how dirty the inside of your kitchen cabinets can get. Here are some tips for cleaning them deeply:
Remove Everything and Wipe Down
- Take out all food packages, containers, dishes.
- Use a degreasing cleaner and microfiber cloth to wipe interior surfaces.
Clean Glass Doors or Fronts
- Spray glass cleaner onto paper towel and wipe fingerprints off glass fronts.
- Use a razor to gently scrape off splatters or residue.
Disinfect Shelves
- Remove shelves and wash with warm soapy water, rinse and let dry.
- Spray with disinfectant and wipe down before replacing.
Remove Grease Buildup
- Mix baking soda and water into a spreadable paste.
- Scrub paste onto grimy areas of cabinet walls and doors.
- Wipe clean and rinse away grease and residue.
Organize Contents Neatly
- Group like items together – snacks, pasta, spices etc.
- Use shelf organizers, bins or dividers to neatly separate everything.
Add Fresh Scent
- Place a natural deodorizer like zeolite in the back of cabinets.
- Use cedar blocks to make cabinets smell woodsy fresh.
Take time each season to give the inside of kitchen cabinets a deep clean. This will rid them of grease, crumbs and grime that accumulate over time.
Shampoo Your Fabric Furniture
Fabric upholstered furniture like sofas and chairs attracts dirt, dust, oils and odors. Refresh them by giving them a deep shampoo:
Vacuum first – Use wand attachment to vacuum up dirt, debris and pet hair from crevices.
Mix shampoo solution – Use a gentle, enzyme enriched solution made for fabrics.
Spot test – Test clean small area before applying to entire piece.
Apply foam – Using brush, apply foamy solution and work into fabric.
Let soak briefly – Allow foam to penetrate fibers for 3-5 minutes before scrubbing.
Scrub – Use soft scrub brush to work shampoo into fabric and stains.
Blot excess – Blot gently with clean towel to soak up shampoo and water.
Rinse clean – Use spray nozzle and gently rinse away all foam and residue.
Air dry – Allow to completely dry before using again.
Regular shampooing keeps fabric furniture fresh, removes embedded dirt and allergens, and extends its life. Leave cushions out in the sun to naturally sanitize and deodorize fabric as well.
Clean Inside Drawers and Dressers
Dresser drawers can collect an amazing amount of dirt, dust and debris inside that you never see. Here are some tips for deep cleaning them:
Remove Contents – Take everything out of the drawers.
Vacuum Inside – Use wand attachment and crevice tool to vacuum inside surfaces.
Wipe down – Using a lint-free cloth and cleaning spray, wipe down interior sides, bottom and back of the drawer.
Disinfect – Spray lightly with disinfectant and wipe again. Allow to fully dry.
Deodorize – Place cedar blocks or aromatic sachets for fresh scent.
Organize Contents – Install drawer organizers to neatly separate and arrange items.
Add liner – Line the bottom of drawers with a liner or mat to catch future dust and dirt.
Cleaning the inside surfaces prevents dirt and debris buildup that can damage clothes and other items stored inside over time. And organized drawers bring calm and order to your bedroom.
Declutter and Clean Out Closets
Over time closets accumulate piles of unused items and clutter. Give your closets a fresh start by decluttering and deep cleaning them.
Sort and purge – Be honest about what you actually need and use. Donate or trash unused items.
Vacuum – Use handheld vacuum to clean corners, floors, shelves and rods.
Wash down – Wipe interior surfaces with warm water and mild detergent using a lint-free cloth.
Organize contents – Install functional organizers for tidier clothing storage, footwear, accessories, linens, etc.
Add storage – Use baskets, bins and hooks to neatly store items up and off the floor.
Deodorize – Place cedar blocks in corners or cloth sachets on shelves to add fresh scent.
Improve lighting – Upgrade to energy efficient LED lighting so you can see everything clearly.
Maintain – Vacuum periodically and wipe down walls and baseboards to keep closet fresh and clean.
Editing down clutter and thoroughly cleaning your closets provides a sense of renewal and makes getting ready each day easier.
Dust Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures
Dust accumulates rapidly on ceiling fans and light fixtures, making them unsightly dust bunny magnets. Here are tips for keeping them dust-free and shiny:
Use microfiber duster – Extend duster to reach fans and lights and gently wipe away dust and cobwebs.
Vacuum blades – Use soft brush attachment when fan is off to vacuum both sides of blades.
Damp rag – For more stuck-on dust, use slightly damp rag on blades, taking care around wiring.
Clean globes or covers – Wipe down with dry microfiber cloth or spray cleaner onto rag before wiping.
Disinfect switches – Turn off lights and wipe switches with disinfecting wipes containing at least 70% alcohol.
Check bulbs – Replace any burnt out bulbs. Clean outside of bulbs with dry cloth.
Polish metal – Use soft cloth and apply metal polish to restore shine on metallic elements.
Wash down wood – For wood bladed fans, use slightly damp cloth and wood cleaner/polish. Wipe fully dry.
These quick cleaning tips will keep your ceiling fans spinning freely and lights shining brightly.
Wash Windows and Screens
Washing windows and screens lets bright sunlight shine into your home. Follow these tips for sparkling results:
Gather supplies – Bucket or spray bottle, mild detergent or window cleaner, soft sponges and lint-free cloths, squeegee, scrub brush, towel.
Pull curtains and blinds – Take curtains down and wash if needed. Carefully wipe blinds with damp cloth.
Remove screens – Label and place screens in a protected spot before washing windows.
Wash windows – Start by spraying water to loosen dirt, then clean inside and out with soapy water using sponge and lint-free cloths.
Squeegee – Wipe away drips and polish glass using squeegee for a spotless finish.
Scrub screens – Use scrub brush and cleaner to remove built up dirt and grime from screens. Rinse well and let dry fully before replacing.
Clean sills and frames – Use small vacuum brush and damp rag to clean dust and dirt from window sills and frames.
Sparkling clean windows and screens allow sunlight to stream in and provide clear views outdoors. Make this cleaning ritual a priority each season!
Clean and Sanitize Garbage Cans
It’s easy to overlook just how dirty garbage cans get. Follow these tips to eliminate odors and germs:
Remove garbage bags – Double bag to contain drips and immediately dispose of in outdoor receptacles.
Rinse cans – Use garden hose to rinse away debris from inside and outside.
Scrub clean – Use hot soapy water and scrub brush to remove stuck-on grime and residues.
Disinfect – Spray or wipe inside of cans with disinfectant. Let soak for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Deodorize – Sprinkle baking soda in bottom of cans or spray with enzymatic cleaner before replacing bag.
Maintain – Frequently wipe down outsides of cans in kitchen with disinfecting wipes or spray cleaner.
Replace – Look for cracks, excessive staining/etching, or rust and get new cans as needed.
Don’t let smelly, dirty garbage cans stink up your home. Regular cleaning and disinfecting keeps odors and germs at bay for a fresher smelling home.
Clean Behind and Under Appliances
Hidden areas behind and underneath large appliances easily get overlooked when cleaning. But they accumulate lots of dirt, dust and pet hair. Here are some tips for cleaning them:
Pull out appliances – Unplug appliances first. Carefully pull out from wall so you can access back and underneath.
Vacuum – Use crevice tool and brush attachments to thoroughly vacuum dust, dirt and debris.
Wipe down – Clean away any food spills or grime using a cloth with warm soapy water or disinfecting wipes.
Deodorize – Sprinkle baking soda before sliding back into place to absorb odors.
Dust vents – Use small brush and vacuum to remove dust buildup from vent openings.
Check cords – Inspect power cords for damage before plugging back in. Coil neatly when repositioning.
Mop floor – With appliances pulled out, mop underneath them to freshen the floors too.
Don’t forget about the hidden areas behind refrigerators, stoves, washers and other appliances when doing your cleaning routine. Getting rid of dirt, dust and pet hair will make everything look and work better.
Dust Walls and Baseboards
Dust and dirt slowly build up on walls and baseboards, making them look dingy. Here are some tips for getting them clean:
Use vacuum brush – Attach brush and crevice tools to vacuum loose dust and cobwebs.
Damp dustcloth – Wipe walls with cloth dampened with warm water and few drops of dish soap.
Wood walls – On paneled walls, use wood cleaner applied to soft cloth to wipe away grime.
Disinfect – Mix 1/2 cup bleach into 1 gallon of water. Dip cloth into solution and wipe walls and baseboards.
Scrub baseboards – Use toothbrush or cleaning brush to scrub stuck-on dirt and stains from baseboards.
Rinse and dry – Wipe walls and baseboards with clean, damp microfiber cloth to remove soapy residue.
Touch up paint – Inspect walls for scuffs or marks and use touch up paint for a fresh look.
Regular dusting and cleaning leaves your walls and baseboards looking their best. Be sure to use proper ventilation and protective gear when working with cleaning solutions.
Conclusion
A new year offers the perfect opportunity to declutter, deep clean, and bring order back to your living spaces. Follow these comprehensive cleaning tips to tackle every room and start the year off fresh.
Dedicate time each week to stay on top of cleaning routines. Declutter frequently and sanitize surfaces, fabrics, and linens to keep your home healthy. Enlist the family