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As time continues to move forward, the year 2025 is almost here. If you’re committed to keeping your home in better condition, congratulations on taking this big step. Even if that’s not the case, there are some cleaning tasks that should be completed as the new year begins. Some are annuals, others are habit-forming, and others are useful for the winter months. Here’s your checklist of everything you need to clean to start 2025.
Start by decluttering your fall and holiday items
The first thing on your list should be a seasonal attack. Start your New Year’s cleaning by getting rid of all fall essentials and leftover holiday items. Of course, that means storing or disposing of your Christmas tree, packing away your Santa statuettes or menorah, and restoring your home to its pre-holiday condition. But you can go deeper. Replacing your basic furnishings seasonally is an important part of maintaining a tidy home. Move lighter jackets to the back of your closet (or store them with other out-of-season clothes using them). Storage container under the bed or similar), swap rain boots for snow boots, put the heavier bedding on your bed, and stow the rake while you start shoveling.
When it comes to keeping the house organized, there are some some important rules Note: Similar items must be stored together and everything you own must have a specific place. By gathering non-seasonal items and keeping them out of the way, you’ll have access to what you actually need, no matter the season. Doing this as the first step in your New Year’s cleaning routine will set you up for the rest of the winter. Don’t be afraid to really clean up during this step. Use Which decluttering method is best for you to really assess everything you’re putting away. With fall still fresh in your memory, think critically and objectively about what you used, what you didn’t use, and what could actually be thrown away or donated so it doesn’t take up unnecessary storage space.
Clean your radiator if you haven’t already
I’ll forgive you if you haven’t cleaned your radiator in a year. It has It’s been unseasonably warm in many parts of the country, but now it’s almost January and that luck is about to run out. That’s not difficultLuckily, although it might seem intimidating due to the many crevices on the device. What you need is a hairdryer or compressed air. First, manually remove any large clumps of dirt or dust that you can see, then point the nozzle of your dryer or air can into the cracks of the radiator at an upward angle so that the air pushes the dust up and out. Avoid facing the machine head-on as this will allow the dirt to penetrate deeper, which is what we don’t want. Next, remove the debris that came out and wipe the outside of the cooler with a little soapy water.
If you haven’t finished your fans and vents yet, now is the time. For all air purifiers and fans, remove the filter and clean it thoroughly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. With the unit unplugged, wipe the outside of the unit with soapy water and allow it to dry completely before reconnecting it or, in the case of box fans, storing it for the winter. While you’re at it, use the same methods you used to clean the radiator to clean any built-in vents, including those on baseboards and in ceilings like in the bathroom. This isn’t a constant cleaning task, so prioritize it during your New Year’s sprint.
Complete your annual cleaning tasks
Some cleaning tasks are maintenance-oriented. Finally, you need to vacuum, sweep and wipe down regularly. However, other work only needs to be done at regular intervals. Sure, you could wait until spring cleaning comes around, or you could start right away and start the new year fresh. A few examples for your consideration:
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Thoroughly clean all appliances by pulling them out of the wall and vacuuming behind them before beginning to deep clean the interior.
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Thoroughly clean your carpets and upholstery by hiring a professional or renting a high-performance machine.
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As mentioned, clean vents and air ducts, but call a professional for an inspection if you haven’t had one in the last three years.
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Clean your mattress, wash your mattress cover and wash your pillows, not just your bedding.
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Clean the inside of all your windows, e.g. B. between windows, fly screens and sliding rails (but hold off on spring cleaning if it’s too cold where you live to justify opening them).
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Wash your shower curtain, liner and bath mat.
This is also the time to address the things that you should do a little more often than annually but never show up in your regular weekly cleaning. I’m talking about wiping down your baseboards and walls, dusting your blinds, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces like light switches and remote controls.
Prepare for a cleaner year
Through it all, pay attention to what’s really messy so you can pay more attention to it in the new year. It’s never too late to start a new cleaning routine and I recommend creating one detailed cleaning plan which takes you through different rooms over the course of a month and Cleaning only in scheduled, 15-minute bursts once a day.
As one of your New Year’s resolutions, set the intention to create a schedule and stick to it. Then make sure you follow the instructions. It’s much easier to clean in small increments without overwhelming yourself than to spend entire days or weeks fixing an out-of-control room.
