How to Clean Out After the Holidays Are Past
Holiday celebrations often leave your home in a state of disarray with decorations everywhere, gifts scattered around the living room, and remnants of meals lingering in the kitchen. Several months later, some of these items may still need to be put away. But employing a few simple strategies, you can restore order and start the new year in a clutter-free mode. Take January and February to get your home back in order and ready for the spring. Look to The Uncluttered Life’s Declutter Deck® for tips and tricks about home organization.
Clean Out Your Kitchen Cabinets and Refrigerator
Leftovers are great - but they shouldn’t stay around forever. Freeze what you can and then toss what is past expiration. The USDA recommends that leftovers stay no longer than three to four days. If you have shelf-stable items you didn’t use, consider donating them to a food pantry near you. Also, make sure to wipe down every surface to remove crumbs, grease, and food that may have accumulated in corners of your kitchen.
Organize Holiday Decor
Do yourself a favor and be intentional as you pack away decorations for the next year. Don’t just stuff everything into random boxes. Take the time to group like items and label them so you know which container holds what you’ll need the next season. This extra effort helps streamline the process for next year’s decorating and reduces stress during a busy season.
Sort Gift Immediately
Go ahead and find a place for all your new gifts right away. This may require donating items you or your loved ones no longer need, or returning those items that are not going to work in your home. Remembering the one in, one out rule applies here. If you have multiple versions of the same thing, take the time to decide what should stay and what should be donated, trashed, or kept.
Do a Deep Clean
Once all the decor and gifts are put away, spend a day deep-cleaning your home. Dust every surface, and vacuum each room throroughly - you never know where pine needles, tinsel, or glitter may end up. Then, reset all your surfaces by putting every item you moved or stored away for the season back in its place. Your home will be more put-together and you will be able to look forward to the next seasonal celebration and spring.