New Year Cleaning Reset: A Checklist for Your Whole House

Starting 2024 with a clear head and a sense of calm sounds great, right? Well, the first step to achieving those goals is a clean, uncluttered space—because health and happiness start, quite literally, at home. So, consider this your invitation to a whole-house cleaning session that will make the new year feel fresh. This checklist has all the tasks broken down by room; work your way through it during January and by month’s end, your space will be in tip-top shape.   

Tips for Getting Started

• Gather cleaning supplies in a cart or caddy that you can easily move around the house
• For dusting, try using old socks or T-shirts
• Use DIY cleaning solutions made with baking soda and vinegar (natural and inexpensive!) to clean multiple areas of your home
• Empty vacuum bags or filters before getting started
• Designate an empty basket or box for gathering clutter that needs a permanent home
• Get into the right mindset about cleaning. Don’t set expectations about completing everything at once. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes for small tasks and block off extra time for bigger tasks. And remember why you’re doing these tasks: to refresh, feel renewed, and cherish the space you have!

Whole House

1. Wash windows
2. Clean around window and door frames
3. Dust bookshelves, tops of furniture, picture frames, and knickknacks
4. Sanitize door handles
5. Dust and clean baseboards
6. Clean walls and dust corners of ceilings (goodbye, cobwebs!)
7. Vacuum carpet and shake out rugs
8. Dust ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, and lampshades
9. Vacuum or dust blinds
10. Disinfect garbage cans

Kitchen

1. Wipe down kitchen cabinets and pulls
2. Clean oven and stove grates
3. Clean and sanitize the microwave
4. Wipe down the fronts of appliances
5. Clean out and organize the refrigerator
6. Sweep or vacuum in hard-to-reach areas
7. Wipe down the toe kicks of kitchen cabinets

Bath

1. Clean the tub, shower walls, tile grout, and shower doors
2. Clean the sink and sanitize the faucet and handles
3. Organize under-the-sink storage areas
4. Scrub and sanitize the toilet, plus the floor and walls around the toilet area
5. Add a few drops of essential oil in the toilet bowl and inside the toilet paper roll 
6. Dust the exhaust fan
7. Clean bathroom mirrors

Bedroom

1. Launder the bedding (including mattress cover and pillows)
2. Clean and dust nightstands
3. Vacuum under the bed
4. Remove clutter from any catch-all areas in the bedroom

Exterior

1. Sweep any outdoor areas and entry area
2. Dust exterior light fixtures
3. Shake out the door mat
4. Wipe down and sanitize the mailbox area
5. Dust corners of the entry area where cobwebs gather