Essential Household Items List to Clean in the New Year
The festive season can be chaotic, particularly with the rush of buying gifts, cooking meals, and accommodating overnight visitors. The combination of scattered cookie crumbs, toppled beverages, heaps of unwashed dishes, sticky floors, and other messes can dampen your holiday cheer and evoke your inner Scrooge.
Cleaning and organizing our homes can instill a sense of renewal and clarity. The question is, where should you begin? Don't let the strain of holiday cleaning dampen your spirits and leave you muttering, "Bah humbug." Let’s make your living space more welcoming and harmonious as we step into 2024.
In today's blog post, we are honing in on an essential household items list, guiding you to prioritize the most important areas and items in your home for maintenance and a welcoming atmosphere.
Did You Know: A YouGov poll indicates that one of the top New Year's resolutions for Americans involves cleaning and organizing their home. This shows the cultural significance of starting the year with a clean and orderly living space.
Also Read: Top 5 Cleaning Hacks for Busy Professionals
#1: The Kitchen – Culinary Haven
Refrigerator
The refrigerator, a key item on any household items list, needs regular cleaning. Start by discarding expired items to prevent foodborne illnesses. Then, wipe down shelves, drawers, and walls with a suitable cleaner to remove spills and crumbs. This not only keeps your fridge hygienic but also helps it operate more efficiently and keeps food fresher longer.
Oven and Stove
Deep cleaning your oven and stove top, including burners and grates, is crucial. Accumulated grease and food particles can affect cooking efficiency and pose a fire hazard. Regular cleaning maintains the performance and lifespan of these appliances, ensuring they remain reliable and safe for cooking.
Small Appliances
Toasters, blenders, and microwaves are frequently used appliances that often collect crumbs and spills. Regular cleaning of these small appliances is important to maintain hygiene and functionality. This includes emptying crumb trays, wiping exteriors, and cleaning interior surfaces. Keeping these appliances clean not only ensures they work efficiently but also extends their useful life.
Pantry
On your household items list, the pantry holds a crucial spot. Start by auditing and organizing, ensuring all items are fresh and well-arranged. This involves checking expiration dates, discarding stale or expired items, and organizing the remaining goods. Cleaning the shelves and arranging the items neatly not only makes your pantry more efficient but also enhances the overall functionality of your kitchen.
Cabinets and Drawers
Cabinets and drawers are pivotal in the kitchen’s household items list. Thoroughly cleaning them inside and out is essential. This includes wiping down surfaces, organizing utensils and dishware, and ensuring everything is in its rightful place. Keeping these areas clean and orderly not only makes cooking and meal preparation easier but also contributes to the overall cleanliness of your kitchen.
Dishwasher
The dishwasher is an often-overlooked item on the household items list but is vital for kitchen cleanliness. Deep cleaning the interior, including the filter and detergent dispenser, ensures it operates efficiently. This involves removing the filter for cleaning, wiping down the interior walls, and ensuring the detergent dispenser is clear of residue. Regular maintenance of the dishwasher helps extend its lifespan and improves its cleaning effectiveness.
Also read: How to Deep clean your Kitchen?
#2: The Living Room – Hub of Relaxation
Curtains and Blinds
As part of your household items list, prioritize laundering curtains to remove dust and freshen up the room. For blinds or shades, carefully clean each slat to remove dirt and grime, enhancing the overall appearance and hygiene of your living room. Regular cleaning of these items not only improves air quality but also revitalizes the aesthetic of your relaxation hub.
Floors
Maintaining the floors is crucial in any household items list for a living room. Thoroughly vacuum carpets, paying extra attention to areas under furniture where dust accumulates. For hardwood floors, a good polish not only cleans but also protects and restores their shine. Regular floor maintenance not only uplifts the room's ambiance but also extends the life of your flooring materials.
Bookshelves
Keeping bookshelves dust-free and organized is a key aspect of your living room's household items list. Regularly dust each shelf and the books themselves to maintain a clean environment. Organizing books, whether by genre, author, or color, and decluttering unnecessary items, can significantly enhance the room's aesthetic and make your collection more accessible and enjoyable.
#3: The Bedroom – Restful Retreat
Wardrobe
In your bedroom, a key part of the household items list is wardrobe management. Sort through your clothing systematically, donating or discarding pieces that you no longer wear or need. This process not only declutters your space but also helps in keeping your wardrobe organized and functional. Regularly updating and organizing your wardrobe contributes significantly to a restful and serene bedroom environment.
Bedding
On your household items list, bedding maintenance is essential. Regularly wash all bedding, including sheets, comforters, and mattress pads to remove dust, allergens, and skin cells. This not only ensures a clean and hygienic sleep environment but also extends the life of your bedding. Fresh, clean bedding contributes significantly to a comfortable and restful sleep experience.
Mattress
Regular care of your mattress is a key aspect of the household items list for a bedroom. Vacuuming the mattress removes dust and potential allergens, contributing to a cleaner sleep environment. Flipping or rotating the mattress periodically ensures even wear and can extend its lifespan, maintaining the comfort and support it provides.
Under the Bed
Cleaning under the bed is an often overlooked but essential task on the household items list for a bedroom. Vacuuming this area helps eliminate dust and potential allergens, contributing to a healthier sleeping environment. Organizing and maintaining any storage items placed under the bed ensures that your bedroom remains a clutter-free and restful retreat.
Light Fixtures
Maintaining light fixtures and fan blades is a vital aspect of the household items list for a bedroom. Regular cleaning and polishing of these fixtures not only improve the quality of light in your room but also enhance its overall ambiance. Keeping these fixtures dust-free also contributes to a cleaner and more allergen-free environment in your restful retreat.
Also Read: Ultimate Room Cleaning Checklist
#4: The Bathroom – Oasis of Calm
Shower/Tub
Cleaning the shower or tub is crucial on the bathroom’s household items list. Regular scrubbing of tiles, grout, and fixtures prevents soap scum and mildew buildup. Paying attention to grout and replacing any moldy caulking not only maintains the appearance of your bathroom but also ensures a hygienic and mold-free shower environment.
Toilets and Sinks
Toilets and sinks require thorough cleaning due to their frequent use and exposure to germs. Including these in your household items list for a deep clean involves focusing on areas prone to germ accumulation. Regular and meticulous cleaning of these fixtures is essential for maintaining a sanitary and fresh-smelling bathroom.
Mirrors
On the household items list for a bathroom, maintaining mirrors is crucial. Regular cleaning to achieve a streak-free shine enhances the clarity and reflection quality. This task not only improves the functionality of your mirrors but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom, making it an oasis of calm.
Bath Mats and Shower Curtains
Washing or replacing bath mats and shower curtains is an important item on the bathroom's household items list. This not only keeps these items visually appealing and hygienic but also prevents the buildup of mold and mildew, ensuring a clean and serene bathroom environment.
Storage Areas
Decluttering and organizing storage areas are essential tasks on the household items list for a bathroom. Efficient organization of cabinets and shelves maximizes space utility and improves accessibility to your bathroom essentials. This organization contributes to a more functional and calming bathroom space.
Also Read: How to Clean your Bathroom?
#5: Work and Study Areas – Productivity Central
Desks
For an effective work and study area, organizing your desk is a key item on the household items list. This involves managing and tidying up cables to prevent tangling and hazards, as well as organizing paperwork and supplies for easy access. A well-organized desk not only enhances productivity but also contributes to a more focused and clutter-free work environment.
Office Supplies
Maintaining a well-stocked and organized supply of office essentials is crucial for efficient workflow, making it an important part of the household items list in work and study areas. Regularly replenish items like pens, paper, and other supplies, and keep them neatly organized. This ensures that everything you need is readily available, reducing interruptions and increasing efficiency in your work or study space.
Electronics
Regular dusting and cleaning of computers, printers, and other electronic equipment is essential in work and study areas, and should be included in your household items list. Keeping these devices clean not only prolongs their lifespan but also ensures they operate efficiently. This task helps in preventing overheating and other issues caused by dust accumulation, thereby maintaining the functionality and reliability of your electronic devices.
#6: Entryway and Hallways – Welcoming Spaces
Coat Closet
A well-organized coat closet is a vital part of the household items list for entryways and hallways. Regularly sorting through outerwear and donating items you no longer use helps maintain an orderly and accessible closet. This not only makes it easier for family members to find their belongings but also presents a neat and welcoming aspect to guests.
Shoe Racks
Keeping shoe racks clean and organized is an essential task on your household items list for entryways and hallways. Regularly cleaning the racks and organizing footwear, as well as discarding worn-out shoes, ensures a tidy and clutter-free entrance to your home. This simple act can significantly enhance the overall cleanliness and appearance of your entryway.
Mudroom/Area
Maintaining a tidy and welcoming mudroom or entryway area is crucial for creating a good first impression. This includes organizing storage spaces, keeping the floor clean, and ensuring that items like umbrellas, coats, and shoes are neatly arranged. A well-kept mudroom not only adds to the aesthetic appeal of your home but also makes it more functional for family and guests.
#7: Outdoor Areas – Nature's Retreat
Patio Furniture
Cleaning, repairing, or storing patio furniture is an important part of the household items list for outdoor areas. Proper maintenance of your patio furniture extends its life and keeps your outdoor space inviting and comfortable. Whether it’s wiping down surfaces or securing furniture covers, these tasks ensure that your outdoor living area remains a pleasant retreat.
Gardening Tools
Organizing and maintaining gardening tools in your shed or storage area is a key aspect of the household items list for outdoor areas. Keeping tools clean and well-maintained not only makes gardening more enjoyable but also prolongs the life of the tools. A well-organized tool shed or storage area contributes to the efficiency and enjoyment of your gardening activities.
Exterior Windows
Regular cleaning of exterior windows is a crucial task in the household items list for outdoor areas. Clean windows enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home and improve visibility, both inside and out. This not only improves the look of your home but also allows more natural light to enter, brightening up your living space.
#8: Miscellaneous Essentials – The Finishing Touches
Carpets and Rugs
On your household items list, the maintenance of carpets and rugs is vital for a clean home environment. Over time, they accumulate dust, allergens, and stains. Renting a carpet cleaner or hiring a professional cleaning service can deeply clean and rejuvenate these floor coverings. Regular deep cleaning not only enhances the appearance of your carpets and rugs but also extends their lifespan and contributes to a healthier indoor environment.
Also Read: how to clean a carpet?
Air Filters
Replacing or cleaning air filters is an essential task on your household items list to ensure good indoor air quality. Air filters in HVAC systems trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. When these filters become clogged, they can reduce air flow and efficiency, potentially circulating contaminants. Regularly changing or cleaning air filters ensures your HVAC system operates efficiently and maintains a healthier indoor atmosphere
Light Switches and Door Handles
Disinfecting light switches and door handles is an important health measure on your household items list. Regular cleaning of these frequently touched surfaces helps prevent the spread of germs, contributing to a healthier living environment.
Safety Devices
Regular testing and maintenance of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms
How Amenify can Help?
Amenify stands at the forefront of professional cleaning services, offering outstanding cleaning solutions through a network of meticulously chosen experts. Renowned for our round-the-clock support and frequent wallet credits, we've garnered over 25,000 five-star reviews, serving two million households across more than 900 cities. Our cleaning specialists, who are both certified and extensively trained, dedicate themselves to detailed and comprehensive home upkeep. With Amenify, not only can you elevate your living standards, but also keep up with the newest trends in the industry, ensuring your household remains immaculately organized with our efficient chore list solutions.
FAQs on Household Items List to Clean
-
Three Basic Things Needed for Household Item Cleaning:
Cleaning Solution: This can be a multi-purpose cleaner or specific cleaners for different surfaces.
Cleaning Tools: Such as sponges, scrub brushes, microfiber cloths, and a vacuum cleaner.
Protective Gear: Like gloves and, if using strong chemicals, masks or eye protection.
-
All-purpose cleaners are versatile and can be used on multiple surfaces. For eco-friendly options, vinegar and baking soda are effective.
-
Begin by decluttering the space. Then, focus on high-traffic areas first, followed by less frequently used areas.
-
It varies depending on the item. High-use items like kitchen counters should be cleaned daily, while others like windows can be cleaned less frequently.
-
Most cleaning products last about one year. Natural cleaners like vinegar have a longer shelf life, whereas chemical-based cleaners may lose effectiveness over time.
