We are going to talk all about New Year’s cleaning today, but it doesn’t matter what time of year it is I forget to clean SO many spots and places in my home, car, garage- etc. Sometimes I suddenly remember (I think these reminders come from Jesus) that I haven’t decluttered my medicine cabinet in four years and it’s a horrifying realization. Nevertheless, it’s better to know now than to continue in ignorance- am I right? (Let’s say yes). I think that this time of year is perfect to catch up on all those little places that are so often neglected by us in our normal day to day lives. With Christmas break and New Years vacation let this is your friendly reminder. Since I crazy cleaned my house this week, you can too. Here is ten spots to clean for the New Years in your home.
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My Cleaning Recommendations:
- Closet and cabinet organizers
- Kitchen and Bathroom Drawer Organizers
- Mrs. Meyers Cleaning Sets
- Eco-Friendly Wipes (compostable)
- This AWESOME Kenmore vacuum
- This (again) AWESOME electric mop
Now let’s jump right into it!
1.) Medicine Cabinet
The first one, as I mentioned above was my medicine cabinet. The amount of prescriptions, vitamins, etc. that had expired in my cabinet is crazy. It was three shelves crammed full of medicines- turned into enough to fill one shelf. I don’t think we go through this little spot of the house enough and maybe you don’t either! Taking extra cluster into the New year is the last thing I want to do. To me it feels like having a sticky note on your back without knowing it, or deodorant marks that skipped your eyes. Like carrying around trash unaware. It feels so good to minimalism even spaces like this one.
2.) Bedroom/Clothes Closet
This New Year’s cleaning spot is more often organized than the last but it’s still nothing I ever neglect when it comes to cleaning, Decluttering and organizing. This year I got a wooden organizer with wicker baskets to organize everything that doesn’t get hung. We want the flow of what we encounter in our everyday life to run smooth and feel good. Mine was not there. Remember to go through each item, all the shoes as well, and don’t forget to throw the socks out that have holes- even if they are a favorite. Clearing out things you don’t use, especially in this area of your home, can feel so good.
3.) Cleaning Closets/ linen closets (or cabinets)
We have a nice closet full of cleaning supplies and extra household goods and it always needs cleaning and organizing. The end of the year is a great time to clean it up and make sure everything is in order and getting used before it’s expiration date as a New Year approaches. The place you hold your cleaning supplies and family inventory is like the brains and powerhouse of your home. If it’s cleaned it’s easier for the rest of the house and people in it, to reflect that.
4.) Showers
Next we need to clean those showers- deep clean. Using a shower scrubbing device, window wiper (if you have glass doors) and some good soap scrub the tiles, the floors, the doors, in between the grout to give it a new look for the year. This also makes sure that you stay clean when showering- and that your dirt, hair and dropped shampoo isn’t just sitting in the tub! Cleaning my shower always makes me feel so good.
5.) Bathroom Cabinets
To be honest- if you are anything like my family- you are likely to pack thirteen year old band aids when you move homes like I did three years ago. We moved thirteen year old band aids eight hours away just to throw them out. What a wake up call. That’s why cleaning the bathroom cabinets out- checking expiration dates, donating towels we don’t use anymore- is so important to us now. We also just realized that we covered a whole package of toilet paper and they have been there almost a year. I mean y’all. If this hasn’t convinced you it’s important to go through your bathroom storage- I don’t know what will. The after is so satisfying and cleansing compared to the before.
6.) Kitchen Cabinets
Another New Years cleaning task was to go through all of our plates, Tupperware, thermoses, mugs, etc. These places are so often neglected- and as we get more mugs as Christmas presents each year they pile up. It’s time to get rid of all that extra clutter you no longer (or never did) want or like. Fill a box (or seven) and donate them!
7.) Garage Tubs and Storage
I am being ultra specific with this one. All those tubs may be organized against the wall but do you really want everything in them? Same with all storage- even if there is a spot is it something your home uses or needs? I think the garage is supposed to be full of useful items for the home, car, yard, etc. but is there anything you never use, have doubles of, garbage, or something in a similar category. Let’s clean and declutter!
8.) Pantry
Again the expiration dates are brought up. Lots of food spills, goes bad, was never used over the last year or more. This time of year is not only a great time to clean and organize but sort, throw out, and donate things you finished or don’t use. Along with this, new containers and storage jars can add ease and cleanliness to the space. As well as sweeping up any dropped chips or flour. This is a great space to clean, organize and evaluate at the end of the year to prepare for the year to come.
9.) Cars & Vehicle’s
This is a hard one for me living in subzero temperatures some days- but it’s always a must for me. Taking good care of what grants us ability to drive our families around, go to work, buy groceries, visit family or neighboring towns matters. The car is such a valuable invention in which we should be grateful for and good stewards over (as with the rest of the list).
Having a clean car makes it easier to go places without feeling overwhelmed, dirty, over stimulated, without losing things, and helps in having a clear mind if your anything like me. I always enjoy a good cleaning to my vehicles, scrubbing of the seats, vacuum of the floors, as well as a new car freshener when I’m done. If you live in a place that allows for an exterior cleaning please throw that in as well for those of us that don’t thaw out until late Spring.
It’s also smart to make sure you have car essentials:
Car cleaning and detailing kit
10.) Christmas Decorations
Lastly, since now is the Christmas season it’s time to go through the goods as you put them away. Clean off any dust, donate items that don’t mean as much to you or match your theme, and throw away anything that’s worn and broken. Then put it all away in your freshly organized garage storage! 🙂
With that, this was my ten places in your home that deserve some New Years cleaning this year! Let me know what I forgot below or if you have questions or comments! Happy cleaning
