As the winter holidays come to an end, it’s time to prepare for the new year. The new year is a chance for many to correct past mistakes and begin anew. New Year’s Resolutions are goals that we set to promote change and growth. We do this in an effort to assure ourselves that we will be able to achieve even more in the coming 12 months, regardless of whether we felt we had succeeded or not in the past year.
When you’re planning your New Year resolutions for this year, give your home a place (or a few) at the top. Your home needs regular maintenance and care, not just a few frantic bursts. For your New Year’s Resolutions, here are some ideas for different areas of your house:
Watch our video of a healthy house:
Floors and walls
We will divide the majority of tasks into different rooms. However, some tasks can be done in all or almost all rooms. To prevent larger problems in the future, it would be best if you established a regular maintenance schedule for your floors and walls.
Cleaning your walls is recommended once a week or more often if necessary. This number can vary depending on the climate and weather in your area. Cleanings can be increased to once a week if you keep your windows wide open during the spring and summer months, especially if there is a lot of pollen in your area. Do regular spot-checks on problem areas if you have sticky-fingered children. Remove any cobwebs and pay attention to corners, both on the ceiling and floor. You can use an old paint roller wrapped with adhesive tape. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with attachments to make the task easier.
Sweep tile or hardwood floors weekly to prevent dirt from getting into them. Carpets and rugs need to be vacuumed weekly. Industry professionals recommend professional cleanings at least every three to six months. Over time, carpets and rugs can become clogged, making them less efficient as filters for dust and dirt. Chem-Dry, a professional carpet cleaning service, can restore your carpets to their original condition. They will look as if they were brand new.
Living Room / Den
Slowly accumulating clutter is one of the best ways to make your living room a mess. It can start with just a pair of socks on the floor. It quickly grows to become a pile of garbage that is impossible to clean. Remove anything that does not belong immediately. Otherwise, clutter will soon increase. You can then vacuum and do other tasks with ease.
Upholstered furniture, like carpets, should be professionally cleaned regularly. It is ideal to have your upholstery professionally cleaned once or twice a year.
Dusting is also important. You may think there’s no need to worry, but dust builds up little by little until your home looks like it was covered overnight. It’s still there, even if it appears invisible. Do not forget to dust behind furniture and other large electronic devices like televisions. Little effort can make a big difference.
Kitchen
Proper maintenance will prevent the mess from becoming out of control. Handle spills as soon as possible. If you let them sit, they can set up and leave permanent stains. Food spills are a great place for germs, and you don’t want them around where you prepare food.
For best results, mop your floor at least twice a week. You will need to mop more often if you have pets or children. You can maintain stone tiles by vacuuming them regularly, but you also need to schedule professional cleanings every few months.
Bedrooms
Many experts recommend that you change your sheets every two to four weeks. However, we often get distracted and realize it has been more than four months since we last changed them.
Use a duster or, better yet, an attachment for a vacuum cleaner to clean your blinds once a week. Once or twice a year, use a soft, clean cloth to do a thorough cleaning. Keep dirty clothes in a laundry hamper, and do your laundry regularly.
