The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reset. While resolutions and goal-setting often take center stage, starting with a clean and organized home can create a powerful mindset shift. A home cleaning checklist printable might be the tool you need to alleviate some of the stress of planning, tackle those neglected corners, and set the tone for a year of clarity and calm in your home.
If some of your New Year’s goals involve embracing a clean lifestyle that supports both mental and physical well-being, this checklist can help you cultivate a clean aesthetic in your space.
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Why Start the Year with a Deep Clean?
A clean home isn’t just about appearances; it’s about creating an environment that supports your mental well-being and productivity. Deep cleaning helps you:
- Declutter Your Mind: A clutter-free space often leads to a clearer mind.
- Reduce Stress: A clean home eliminates visual noise, reducing anxiety.
- Feel Accomplished: Completing a deep clean can give you a sense of achievement, motivating you to tackle other goals.
- Create a Healthy Space: Removing dust, allergens, and bacteria improves air quality and overall health.
Cleaning can be really beneficial for your mental health, but if you’re struggling or just don’t have the energy to dive into it right now, please don’t feel bad or compare yourself to anyone else. Winter is tough, and life is complicated—take things at your own pace and do what you can, when you can. You’re doing great!
That said, if you are still resting and recovering, it’s okay to start slow, or even wait until spring. I’m right there with you—I’ve had a hard time getting back on track after a busy holiday season and our entire family battling the flu for weeks. As of today, January 10th, I still have my Christmas decorations up. So, trust me, this article is just as much about me trying to find motivation to reset as it is about helping you!
The Ultimate Deep Cleaning Checklist
Ready to roll up your sleeves? Use this home cleaning checklist printable to cover every room in your home. Tackle one room at a time, and don’t forget to reward yourself along the way!
1. Bedrooms
- Wash bedding, including comforters, mattress covers, and pillows! Pillows should be washed every 3-6 months. I like to let mine air dry in the sun if possible since UV light kills odor-causing bacteria.
- Clean the mattress by sprinkling it with baking soda to remove moisture and orders. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to add a fresh scent. Allow the baking soda to sit for about 20 minutes and vacuum the mattress(es) and under the bed.
- Flip and rotate your mattress for longevity and repeat the step above.
- Move around furniture and dust, clean, and vacuum behind things like your bed, dresser, shelves, etc.
- Dust nightstands, lamps, and dressers.
- Organize closets and donate items you no longer wear (there will be a post on decluttering soon!)
- Clean mirrors and windows.
- Vacuum or mop floors.
- Wash your curtains and rugs, and shampoo carpets
After you’ve tidied your bedroom, freshen your linens with your own DIY Linen spray or room spray. Add your favorite, non-toxic scent to your space. See the full tutorial to make DIY linen and room spray below plus scent suggestions to craft your new favorite blend.
2. Bathrooms
- Declutter and clear surfaces, declutter drawers
- Scrub the shower, bathtub, and tiles
- Clean the toilet, sink, and faucets
- Wipe down mirrors and fixtures
- Empty and sanitize trash bins
- Wash bath mats, shower curtains, and towels
- Sweep or vacuum and mop the floors
- Organize cabinets and drawers and restock as needed
3. Kitchen
- Empty and clean the refrigerator and freezer.
- Declutter countertops and put away dishes, food, spices, etc,
- Wipe down cabinets and handles.
- Degrease the stovetop and clean the oven.
- Clean the sink thoroughly and run a cleaning cycle for the garbage disposal and dishwasher
- Sanitize countertops and backsplashes.
- Clean small appliances like toasters, blenders, and coffee makers.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
- Organize pantry, discard expired food
- clean windows and doors
- Clean the trashcan and take out the trash
4. Laundry Room
- Wipe down the washer and dryer and clean around them
- Run a cleaning cycle on the washing machine
- Clean vents and filters on the washer and dryer (according to the manufacturer’s instructions)
- Organize laundry supplies
- Fold and put away clothes, tidy towels and linens
- Sweep and mop, clean windows, doors, and walls
5. Living Room
- Dust all surfaces, including shelves, picture frames, and baseboards.
- Wipe down electronics with a microfiber cloth.
- Clean windows and mirrors.
- Vacuum upholstered furniture and spot-clean any stains.
- Shampoo carpets or mop floors.
- Declutter books, magazines, and remote controls.
6. Dining Room
- Dust and wipe down fixtures, lights, doors, windows
- Clean and polish silverware and special occasion dishware
- Dust and polish table and chairs, clean upholstery
- Organize linens and tableware
- Vacuum and wash or shampoo the rug or carpet
- Clean windows, doors, baseboards, walls etc
7. Porch, Patio, Yard
- Shake out rugs and sweep porch, patio, and walkways
- Dust doors, walls, and windows, to clear away cobwebs and debris
- Clean outdoor furniture, bring in pillows or decor if necessary Prune bushes, pull weed and dead plants, rake leaves
- Clean gutters, mow the lawn, put away yard tools and toys Clean windows and doors, and pressure wash walkways if possible Add weather-proof seasonal decor
Extra Cleaning Tips for Additional Rooms
8. Home Office
- Organize paperwork and shred unnecessary documents. The start of the new year is a great time to get caught up on that stack of mail sitting on your desk and to safely shred old bills. I have had this shredder for about 6 years with no complaints.
- Dust and sanitize your desk and keyboard
- Declutter drawers and shelves
- Clean your computer screen and other electronics
- Add a plant! Plants help improve mood, focus, and productivity!
- Vacuum or mop floors
9. Miscellaneous Spaces
- Clean out the garage or storage areas
- Wash windows throughout the house
- Replace HVAC filters
- Replace filters in air purifiers
- Clean vents
- Wash any textiles- blankets, rugs, curtains, etc- those fabrics can hold a lot of dust and bacteria and can contribute to the odor of your home
- Dust blinds, ceiling fans, and light fixtures
- Wipe down doors and doorframes
- Use a handheld mop to clean walls and baseboards
Tips to Make Deep Cleaning Manageable
- Break It Down: Don’t try to do everything in one day. Spread tasks over a weekend or even a full week to a full month. Do what you can when you can!
- Set a Timer: Dedicate 30-60 minutes per session to avoid burnout.
- Use the Right Tools: Microfiber cloths, a good vacuum, and all-purpose cleaners make the job easier.
- Enlist Help: Get your family or roommates involved to share the load.
- Celebrate Progress: A small reward, like a favorite snack or a relaxing bath, can keep you motivated. On that note, celebrate progress, not perfection!
Maintaining Your Fresh Start: Weekly Cleaning Routine
Once your deep cleaning checklist is complete, the key is to maintain it without feeling overwhelmed. A simple weekly cleaning routine can keep your home in tip-top shape. This means doing some daily and weekly tasks and might mean changing a few habits.
To achieve a different result, you have to have different habits. One small thing that helps me keep on top of things is the phrase “don’t put it down, put it away!”
I wish I could remember where I heard that quote, if anyone knows, please let me know in the comments!
Daily Tasks:
- Make the bed
- Tidy your clothes
- Wash dishes or load the dishwasher
- Wipe down counters and sinks
- Tidy up common areas
- Take out the trash and recycle
Weekly Tasks:
- Dust all surfaces
- Vacuum or mop floors (unless you have dogs, then vacuuming might be a daily task!)
- Clean the bathroom (sink, toilet, and shower)
- Do laundry and put away clothes
Monthly Tasks:
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Wipe down appliances
- Organize one drawer or shelf
Consider keeping decluttering bags or boxes around your home to pair down on items you don’t need.
The Mindset Shift
A home cleaning checklist printable isn’t just about scrubbing and organizing; it’s about setting an intention for the year ahead. A clean home can:
- Improve Focus: With fewer distractions, you can concentrate better on work and personal projects.
- Boost Creativity: A tidy space often sparks fresh ideas.
- Enhance Relationships: An organized home can reduce conflicts over chores and create a welcoming environment for family and guests.
- Give you more time: If you have a good routine for keeping things in order, you’ll spend less time cleaning and less time stressing about messes.
Tools to Keep You on Track
Consider these resources to stay organized:
- Cleaning Apps: Tools like Tody or Sweepy can help you schedule tasks.
- Printable Checklists: Keep a copy of your home cleaning checklist printable handy.
- Planners: Use a weekly planner to integrate cleaning into your routine. I used to love buying cleaning printables off Etsy, but now that I have discovered a deep love of Canva, I can now make my own. If you want to make your own, Canva is free!
Establish a Routine for New Year and Beyond
Starting the year with deep cleaning using this home cleaning checklist printable is more than a physical act—it’s a way to mentally and emotionally prepare for the months ahead. By taking the time to reset your space, you’ll create a home environment that supports your goals and helps you thrive. Follow this guide, establish a weekly routine, and enjoy the benefits of a fresh start all year long.
Wishing you all the best in all your goals in 2025!
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