Out with the old and in with the new! With the holidays winding down, consider going through your things — clothes, household items, furniture, and decide what you no longer need.
There is no need to wait for spring to embark on a spring cleaning rampage; now is a great time to prepare for the new year with a fresh house! Plus cleaning now creates room for your new holiday gifts!
Don't know where to start? Follow our step-by-step guide for the ultimate wintertime clean. Before you know it, your house will look as good as new!
Step 1: Gather needed supplies in a container that can be easily transported around the house. Some great products to have on hand include all purpose cleaner, Windex, Lysol wipes, paper towels, duster, cleaning rags, sponges, and, of course, gloves!
Step 2: Start with the wash! Strip the beds of slipcovers, blankets, pillow covers, as well as washable window coverings, rugs, towels — grab anything that can be washed! Keep the laundry consistently going while cleaning the house. Two birds with one stone!
Step 3: Have two boxes in each room of the house labeled "Throw Away" and "Give Away." the focus of this deep clean is not only to clean the surface of each room, but to really dig deep and clean from within. Key Tip: a successful clean isn't one where items are cleaned and kept. Rather, a successful clean has items that are either donated or tossed out.
Step 4: Now is when the real dirty work begins! Clean EVERYTHING in each room. Windows, floorboards, blinds, fans, counters, lamps, bookshelves, toilets, tubs, mirror, sinks, and sink bases. All of it should be dusted and wiped down! Take out the trash and clean the bin as well.
Step 5: Now that all of the surfaces are clean, the floor must get some TLC! Vacuum, mop, and sweep until you can see your reflection in your floor (or at least your tile). Bonus: clean your furniture! Vacuums can be taken to the sofas and chairs, and wood-cleaning products used to wipe down wood dining room chairs.
Step 6: Almost there! Linens, rugs, window coverings all need to be put back now that they are washed and smelling brand new! One last spray of Febreze and your house is looking, smelling, and feeling nice.
Take it one step further and follow our room-by-room cleaning checklist to make sure you covered every item!
KITCHEN:
Clean the refrigerator and the freezer inside and out. Check for expired food and wipe down the drawers and shelves.'
Wipe down all the appliances
Clean the inside of your microwave (Expert tip: heat up a mug with hot water for 2-3 minutes and stuck on stains will wipe right off!)
Clean dishwasher
Organize & wipe out drawers
Clean counters
Organize your cabinets and pantry and discard any old items
Sweep and mop
Wipe down baseboards
Start with fresh sponges - or toss yours in the dishwasher to freshen them up
BATHROOMS:
Clean and organize counter tops
Wipe off mirrors
Clear out the drains in the sink and tub
Clean toilet, shower, and tub
Organize medicine cabinet and under the sink
Wash bath mat
Sweep and mop
Wipe down baseboards
BEDROOMS:
Clean underneath bed
Wipe off ceiling fan and baseboards
Vacuum or sweep
Flip mattress
Strip beds and replace linens
Wash windows, sills, and blinds
Launder curtains, if possible
CLOSETS:
Organize shoes and clothes
Determine which clothes you want to keep and which to give away
Rotate your winter floes in and store away your summer clothes
LIVING ROOM:
Dust furniture
Vacuum and mop
Go through the bookshelves and determine what can be donated
Organize entertainment center and shelves
Wipe down furniture
Vacuum sofa, large chairs, and rugs
Shampoo carpets
Clean baseboards and windows
OTHER:
Clean vents
Replace light bulbs
Clean/replace air filters
Clean out gutters
Wash windows
Having a hard time deciding what to keep and what to give away? Follow these questions to decide!
Do I need that thing?
Do I use it?
Have I used it in the last 6 months?
Does it have a sentimental value?
Does it take up a lot of space?
Does it still smell the way it's supposed to?
Do I have another one or something like it?
After you've determined what stays and what goes, take your "give away" box to a local donation center in your area! The Salvation Army or Goodwill are both great places to donate!
Whether you're doing all the cleaning in one day, or your are taking baby steps, you'll feel great in your new, clean home. With as little as one step a day, you'll feel refreshed and ready for the new year.