Categories Checklists, Organization

Post-Christmas Cleaning and Organization Checklist to Reset Your Home for the New Year

The holiday season is full of joy, celebrations, and, of course, a bit of chaos. Once the festivities are over, it’s time to reset your home and mind, preparing for the new year.

Here’s a super-detailed and easy-to-follow checklist to ensure your home is spotless and organized before you step into the new year. Each item is broken down to make it simple for you to check off as you go.


1. Take Down and Store Christmas Decorations

πŸ”² Remove Ornaments

  • Carefully remove ornaments from the tree.
  • Wrap each fragile ornament in tissue or bubble wrap.
  • Store ornaments in sturdy, labeled boxes with dividers.

πŸ”² Disassemble the Tree

  • For artificial trees: Disassemble and store in a tree storage bag or box.
  • For real trees: Remove all decorations and properly dispose of the tree according to local recycling guidelines.

πŸ”² Untangle and Store Lights

  • Gently remove lights from the tree or house.
  • Wrap lights around a spool, cardboard, or a dedicated light organizer to prevent tangling.
  • Check for broken bulbs and replace them before storing.

πŸ”² Store Holiday DΓ©cor by Category

  • Wreaths, stockings, garlands, and candles should be packed together and labeled.
  • Check for damaged or worn-out decorations and discard or repair them.

πŸ”² Label Storage Boxes Clearly

  • Use clear bins or label regular bins clearly with what’s inside and where the items will be used next year (e.g., “Living Room – Ornaments”).
  • Store holiday boxes in the attic, garage, or designated storage space.

2. Deep Clean the Entire House

Living Room & Common Areas:

πŸ”² Dust Surfaces and Decorations

  • Use a microfiber cloth to dust all surfaces, including shelves, mantels, picture frames, and electronics.

πŸ”² Clean Windows and Mirrors

  • Use glass cleaner to wipe down all windows and mirrors, removing any holiday smudges or fingerprints.

πŸ”² Vacuum Upholstery

  • Vacuum couches, chairs, and throw pillows, paying special attention to any crumbs or holiday debris.
  • Launder or dry clean throw blankets and pillow covers.

πŸ”² Sweep and Vacuum Floors

  • Sweep and vacuum all floors, including under furniture.
  • For hard floors: Mop and polish as needed.

πŸ”² Remove Scuff Marks

  • Spot-clean scuff marks from walls, baseboards, and doors using a magic eraser or gentle cleaner.

πŸ”² Clean Carpets and Rugs

  • Consider shampooing carpets and rugs to remove any holiday-related spills or stains.

πŸ”² Polish Wood Furniture

  • Use a wood cleaner to polish tables, shelves, and other wooden surfaces.

πŸ”² Sanitize High-Touch Areas

  • Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and other frequently touched surfaces.

Kitchen:

πŸ”² Empty and Clean the Fridge

  • Toss any expired or unwanted food from the holiday season.
  • Wipe down shelves and drawers with warm, soapy water or a vinegar solution.

πŸ”² Clean and Organize the Pantry

  • Sort through your pantry, discarding expired or stale items.
  • Wipe down shelves and reorganize items into categories (e.g., baking supplies, snacks, canned goods).

πŸ”² Wipe Down Kitchen Cabinets

  • Use a gentle cleaner to wipe down the fronts of your cabinets and handles.

πŸ”² Deep Clean Appliances

  • Oven: Run the self-cleaning cycle or use oven cleaner.
  • Microwave: Clean the inside and outside with a warm soapy cloth.
  • Stovetop: Remove and clean burners and wipe down the surface.
  • Dishwasher: Run a cleaning cycle using a dishwasher cleaner or vinegar.
  • Coffee maker: Descale the coffee maker.

πŸ”² Sort Out Serving Ware

  • Organize platters, serving dishes, and holiday-specific items, storing them neatly until next year.

Bedrooms:

πŸ”² Launder All Bedding

  • Wash or dry clean all sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and blankets.

πŸ”² Vacuum Under the Bed

  • Move furniture if needed and vacuum under the bed and around the edges of the room.

πŸ”² Sort Through Clothing

  • Remove clothes that no longer fit or are no longer needed.
  • Donate or recycle clothing items in good condition.

πŸ”² Organize Closets

  • Store out-of-season clothes in labeled bins or at the back of your closet until next year.
  • Arrange clothes by category (e.g., shirts, pants, dresses) or color for easy access.

Bathrooms:

πŸ”² Scrub the Toilet, Shower, and Sink

  • Use a strong bathroom cleaner to disinfect the toilet, sink, and shower areas.
  • Replace shower liners/curtains if needed.
  • Wipe down bathroom tiles and grout.

πŸ”² Wash or Replace Towels and Mats

  • Launder all bathroom towels and rugs.
  • Replace any worn or stained items.

πŸ”² Organize Cabinets and Drawers

  • Sort through toiletries and cosmetics. Discard expired products.
  • Wipe down shelves and drawers inside cabinets.

πŸ”² Polish Mirrors and Fixtures

  • Clean mirrors with glass cleaner and wipe down faucets, handles, and other fixtures.

πŸ”² Restock Essentials

  • Replenish any bathroom essentials like toilet paper, soap, and tissues.

3. Declutter Living Spaces

πŸ”² Sort Through New Gifts

  • Decide what to keep, return, or donate.
  • Find a designated space for each item or store them until you need them.

πŸ”² Declutter Shelves and Tables

  • Clear off coffee tables, end tables, and shelves, and only keep items that serve a purpose or bring joy.

πŸ”² Organize Electronics and Cords

  • Use cord organizers to neatly bundle cables.
  • Recycle or donate old electronics you no longer use.

πŸ”² Tidy Up Books and Magazines

  • Organize bookshelves, and recycle old magazines.

πŸ”² Refresh Throw Pillows and Blankets

  • Wash or dry clean throw pillows and blankets that were used during the holidays.

4. Refresh Your Home Office

πŸ”² Clean and Organize Desk Drawers

  • Remove old paperwork, supplies, and miscellaneous items.
  • Reorganize drawers with necessary items (e.g., pens, notebooks, paper).

πŸ”² Declutter and File Documents

  • File any paperwork that needs to be kept.
  • Shred old documents that you no longer need.

πŸ”² Organize Tech and Supplies

  • Ensure your computer, printer, and other electronics are functioning properly.
  • Tidy up cables and keep office supplies in labeled drawers or organizers.
  • Consider donating or recycling old electronics.

πŸ”² Prepare for the New Year

  • Set up your calendar, planner, or any organizational tools for the coming year.

5. Garage and Storage Spaces

πŸ”² Store Holiday Decorations Properly

  • Pack all holiday decorations such as outdoor lights, inflatable decorations, and other large items into labeled bins and store them safely in the garage or storage area.

πŸ”² Declutter Garage Tools and Equipment

  • Sort through tools, gardening supplies and other equipment, donating or recycling items that are no longer used.
  • Wipe down dusty shelves and reorganize tools with pegboards or tool chests.

πŸ”² Sweep the Garage Floor

  • Sweep out dirt, leaves, and holiday debris.
  • Consider washing the floor or scrubbing any tough stains.

6. Outdoor Spaces

πŸ”² Take Down Outdoor Decorations

  • Remove outdoor lights, wreaths, and inflatable decorations.
  • Check for wear and tear and store items properly.

πŸ”² Sweep and Clean Patio or Porch

  • Sweep away leaves, dirt, and holiday remnants from outdoor spaces.

πŸ”² Check and Store Outdoor Furniture

  • Clean outdoor furniture and store it for the winter or cover it if it will remain outside.

7. Final Touches

πŸ”² Replace Air Filters

  • Swap out old air filters for fresh ones in your heating or air conditioning system.

πŸ”² Test and Update Home Safety Devices

  • Check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to ensure they’re in working order.

πŸ”² Refresh Home Fragrances

  • Place new air fresheners, diffusers or candles around the home for a welcoming scent.

πŸ”² Reflect and Set Goals

  • Take some time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the new year, both for your home and personal life.

By following this detailed checklist, you’ll be able to thoroughly clean, declutter, and organize your home just in time for the new year. As you cross off each task, you’ll feel more accomplished and prepared for a fresh start! Happy cleaning!

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