Every January, we take down holiday decorations and look forward to a new start. As we approach 2022, this feeling grows stronger. After two years of living at home, we can’t wait to get started on spring cleaning. Instead, we will begin in January and work our way through the year, focusing only on one area each month. Deep cleaning can be done in all rooms. You can sweep, mop and vacuum as well as wipe down walls and baseboards. You should dust everything that can be seen, even those you might not normally notice, such as curtain rods or lamp shades. Do not let this list discourage you from starting. Each room will take you one month to complete. The results will motivate you to keep going once you have started. Start cleaning out the house by checking off things on your maintenance list. Take care of your feet, and enjoy the clean and freshening up of your home.

January: Kitchen

The heart of every Southern home is the kitchen. It’s where we spend most of our time, and create the most mess. After spending the holidays baking peanut butter cookies and being hostesses, our kitchens need to be cleaned up. Start by throwing out any leftovers or expired food. This will enable you to clean up and prepare the food for your next step. After you’ve conquered the food, it’s time to take inventory of your kitchen supplies like silverware and storage containers. Wipe down all surfaces. Pay attention to the appliances. Clean the floors and take them out. Also, clean out the drain of your sink and all sponges and rags. Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions for help with decluttering your cupboards and pantry. Starting the new year off with an organized kitchen will give you a new outlook on the new year!

February: Family and Living Rooms

Our kitchen is where we spend most of our time. The rest of our time is spent in our living and family areas. These rooms should be decluttered. You should also clean out the fabrics. These fabrics are often forgotten in daily cleaning. Slipcovers and pillows can be washed thoroughly. Then, you can spot clean the sofa and chair. It is also worth dusting and cleaning remotes.

March: Bathrooms

Do you know what’s in your bathroom cabinets and drawers. It is best to empty the cabinets completely, then clean them from inside and outside. When organizing your bathroom, make sure you check for expired medication, makeup, replacements, toothbrushes, towels, or items that are covered in grime. Clean and reseal grout lines, replace shower curtain liners and wash makeup brushes.

April: Outdoors

You can enjoy your patio drinks, fire pits, or grilling by turning your attention outside as soon as it is cool enough. Clean your patio, porch, driveway, sidewalk and walkway with a power washer and a broom. Clean gutters, cushions, pillows, covers and outdoor furniture, as well windows and tracks. Finally, check for damage to screens or hoses. Before you start to plant your garden, set up your grill. Clean up any weeds or dead leaves and trim your plants. Next, add new soil and mulch to your beds and decide which plants need to be replaced.

Garage May

It’s tempting to just ignore your garage and let all the clutter pile up, but the end result is well worth the effort. To begin the process, open the garage doors. Then, scrub the garage from bottom to top. To remove dirt and dust, dry the garage floor using a microfiber cloth. Once the floor dries you can decide what you want to keep and how to group them. After drying for around 2 to 4 hours you can arrange them with shelving units or wall hooks. Before you return inside, make sure to change the batteries for your garage door openers.

June: Primary Bedroom

We have taken care of the communal and outside spaces. Now, it’s time to focus on ourselves. Get rid of all your clothes, nightstands, and dressers. Anything that doesn’t fit, isn’t functional or clutters up a space designed to promote calm should be thrown out. Once you have a clear idea of what’s left, it is time to organize to maximize space and make it easy to find. After you are done, get out your bedding and remove the skirt.

July: Office

The most chaotic places can be found in home offices. It is easy to stack things on your desk and promise that you will get rid of them later. You can go through your papers and toss the ones you don’t use. Then scan the junk mail and destroy the rest. Take a look at everything you have to replace, donate, or dispose of. You can organize your office space to optimize efficiency. Tech-wise, clean your electronics and disinfect your keyboard. To manage your cords, you should use a cord management kit or cover box.

August: Dining Room

The number of guests you have will determine the difficulty or ease of your dining area. To find any stains or holes in the linens and cushions, do a thorough inspection. Wash and dry linens after they have been washed or thrown away. Be extra careful with heirlooms. Your china should be hand washed and polished so guests can enjoy it when they arrive.

September: Mudroom, Entryway

September is here, which means that school is finished and winter holidays and colder weather are upon us. September is the ideal time to clean out your entryway or mudroom. This month is easy because of the small spaces and the simple cleaning. Attention to shoes, jackets, and mats. Don’t throw away, repair, donate or trash anything you don’t use. Once you’ve taken care of these items, you’re done.

October: Laundry Room

We all know that the laundry room needs to be cleaned more often, but we neglect it. The first step is to move your washer and dryer. Be sure to collect any socks or washcloths that are missing from your dryer vent and lint trap filter before you start washing them. This will improve the dryer’s heating capability and speed up drying times. Before you place your washer and dryer back in their original places, clean the floor and back. After cleaning your dryer and washer, take inventory of your laundry items.

November: Storage Areas

The most neglected rooms in your home are the attic and closets. It’s possible to find that missing glove, your old yearbooks, or Aunt Lucy’s broken china. To maximize efficiency, you should focus on organizing and decluttering your storage space.

December: Bedrooms for Children

As gift-giving season slows, so does the clutter. You can help your children get rid of clothing that doesn’t fit or toys that aren’t being used and other items that shouldn’t be there. You can then work with your children on organizing their closets, cleaning out plastic toys, and washing soft toys and stuffed animal. You should clean all bedding, including the skirts. Before you leave the month, make sure to inspect the whole room. You should be aware of watermarks, drawings, and broken slats.

Any time of the year is a great time to call Brunswick Organizing Solutions to help decluttering your home. We also provide senior downsizing for anyone looking to move in 2022.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768

Professional Organizer – Restore Disorder to Order

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Shallotte, NC 28470
910-477-3768

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-429-8158