Like always, we start the New Year making promises to ourselves that will evoke positive changes over the next 12 months. There’s the usual standbys of course:

  • Go to the gym 3 times a week
  • Quit smoking
  • Spend more time with friends and family
  • Eat healthier
  • Save more money
  • Give up that second (or third) glass of wine with dinner.

This year, why not do things a little differently and put together some New Year’s resolutions for your home? You’ll reap the benefits of an organised house and the satisfaction of sticking to your goals – plus you won’t have to feel guilty about sneaking in the occasional second (or third!) glass of wine.

VACUUM TWICE A WEEK

We all know we should be vacuuming more often than we do. But with busy lives and limited time, vacuuming often ends up at the bottom of the list.

This year, strive to vacuum twice a week in the hope that even if you miss out on one, your floors will still get a clean at least once every week.

If vacuuming sometimes feels like a strenuous chore, think about switching to a stick vacuum. These are ideal for a quick and easy clean.

Alternatively, get a robot vac to take some of the legwork out of your routine.

TURN OFF AND UNPLUG APPLIANCES WHEN NOT IN USE

If you’d like to save a bit of money on your power bill this year (and who wouldn’t?) get into the habit of unplugging appliances when they aren’t being used. This means your toaster, kettle, microwave, and yep, even the TV. It can be a difficult habit to get into – especially when we’re so used to having access to everything at the touch of a button – but you’ll be pleasantly pleased when the electricity bill comes in and you see the difference it’s made.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER ROOM BY ROOM

There’s no reason to wait until the end of the year to do a spring clean. It can be a shock to realise how much unnecessary clutter builds up in such a short space of time. While the prospect of decluttering can be off-putting, breaking it down room by room makes it a much more obtainable goal.

Pick a room to work through and allow yourself two weeks before it needs to be completely cleared of unnecessary clutter. Then repeat, one room after another. Not only will this help keep your home looking spick and span; your headspace will also feel much clearer.

SQUEEGEE THE SHOWER AFTER EVERY USE

It sounds like a pain, but cleaning the shower after every use – yes, every use – is imperative for keeping mould and mildew at bay. The shower is a top spot for growing unwanted mould, due to the damp surroundings left after showering.

A simple fix between proper cleans is to use a squeegee along the shower walls and glass to remove as much moisture as possible. Leave the squeegee in the shower so you don’t ever forget.

DO A BIG CLEAN ONCE A FORTNIGHT

Put aside one day (or half day) every two weeks to do a thorough, deep clean of your home. This means pulling out all the stops with vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing, spraying and wiping every inch of every room.

The best way to get through a big job like this is equipping yourself with all the right tools so it’s as stress-free as possible. 

Steam cleaners are the perfect tool for carrying out a meticulous clean with the least amount of exertion on your behalf.

Top tip: Depending on which model takes your fancy, steam cleaners will come with a range of versatile attachments to help you with any and all your cleaning needs. Whether it’s windows, upholstery or any floor type, a steam cleaner will loosen the grime without the need of harsh chemicals.