Get Your Home Fresh for the New Year: A Kickstart Checklist

Get Your Home Fresh for the New Year: A Kickstart Checklist

A 2024 Decluttering and Cleaning Checklist

Hey there, post-holiday pals! As we wave goodbye to tinsel and empty cookie tins, it's time to hit reset on our living spaces. Let's face it, a clean and fresh home sets the stage for some seriously good vibes. So, welcome to our New Year Checklist – because who doesn't want their home to feel like a cozy haven? Print the checklist off, and you'll have a helpful accountability buddy to get you organized for the new year. Let’s jump into the fun stuff: decluttering, cleaning, tidying, and deodorizing.

Decluttering:

  • Tackle that junk drawer you've been avoiding.
  • Donate clothes you haven't worn in the last year.
  • Sort through your bookshelves and pass along books you've read (or realistically won't read).
  • Clear out expired items in your pantry and fridge.
  • Say goodbye to mismatched Tupperware – seriously, where do the lids go?
  • Declutter your digital space – organize files and delete what you don't need.
  • Purge old magazines and newspapers (recycle, of course).
  • Get ruthless with your shoe collection – if you haven't worn them in ages, it's time to let go.
  • Declutter your bathroom cabinets – toss expired medications and old beauty products.

Cleaning:

  • Deep clean your kitchen appliances – yes, that means behind and under the fridge too.
  • Scrub down baseboards and corners where dust loves to gather.
  • Wipe down light switches and doorknobs – they get grimier than you think.
  • Launder curtains and throw pillows.
  • Vacuum and flip your mattress – it deserves some attention too.
  • Sanitize your phone, keyboard, and other frequently-touched items.
  • Clean out your vacuum filter or replace the bag.
  • Descale your coffee maker – your morning brew will thank you.
  • Give your trash cans a good scrub – they can harbor some funky odors.

Tidying:

  • Invest in stylish storage solutions for toys, shoes, or whatever clutters your living space.
  • Make your bed daily – it sets a tidy tone for the whole room.
  • Create a designated spot for keys, wallets, and other daily essentials.
  • Implement the "one in, one out" rule for clothes – every time you buy something new, donate something old.
  • Organize your digital life – clean up your desktop and sort through emails.
  • Set up a designated area for mail and bills – no more paper sprawl.
  • Fold and organize your linen closet – finding a matching sheet set will be a breeze.
  • Keep a basket for shoes near the entrance – it beats a trail of dirt through the house.
  • Establish a 15-minute tidy routine before bedtime – it's amazing what you can accomplish.

Deodorizing:

Other natural odor removal techniques:

  • Set out bowls of baking soda in musty-smelling areas for a budget-friendly fix.
  • Use activated charcoal to absorb odors in damp spaces – it's like magic for funky smells.
  • Create a simmer pot with water and citrus peels and cinnamon for a natural, pleasant fragrance that wafts through your home.

Cheers to a Fresh 2024!

So, there you have it, a no-nonsense guide with actionable tasks to make your living space feel like a breath of fresh air in the New Year. Declutter, clean, tidy, and deodorize – your future self will thank you. Here's to a year full of cozy homes and good vibes!

Download the checklist here.