The easiest cleaning resolutions to make in 2023 – and how to keep them

As we look forward to a new year, there’s no better time to review the systems we use to keep our homes clean and tidy. Maintaining a clean home can improve physical health by reducing allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold. All of these allergens can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma attacks and other upper respiratory infections. Having a clean space not only improves your physical well-being but also increases productivity. Disorganized environments create distractions that make it harder to focus on important tasks.

However, keeping a house clean can feel overwhelming. Here are 10 cleaning resolutions for 2023 and tips for sticking to them.

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1. Make a schedule

Many people may find that they have no idea where to start when it comes to making a plan to keep their home clean and tidy. A good first step is to create a weekly or monthly schedule that will keep you on top of all the tasks required to get a clean house. Start by determining the frequency of cleaning tasks you can realistically perform based on your lifestyle. Prioritize the tasks that will have the greatest impact. For example, schedule a time each week to wash bedding and a time each day to put clothes away.

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2. Make sure there’s a place for everything

We all know the old saying, “a place for everything and everything in its place”. Organizing a home starts with creating efficient systems that help store and access items easily. A great way to ensure that your home has a place for everything (so that everything can be in its place) is by using storage solutions. Ideas include decorative and functional baskets, bins, shelves and cabinets to store items, as well as hangers and hooks on the wall to store items such as coats, hats, scarves and bags.

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3. Make the bed

If there’s one simple cleaning resolution to start in 2023, it should be making the bed first thing in the morning. Studies have shown that people who make their beds are actually happier than those who don’t. Not only does it make your room look neater, but it can also motivate you to stay organized throughout the day. Knowing you’ve accomplished a small task before you’ve done anything else can give you a sense of encouragement and motivation to tackle other tasks.

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4. Keep skirting boards clean

Dusty baseboards can make an entire room dingy. Left unchecked, dirt can build up on baseboards, leading to a buildup of allergens and bacteria that can potentially have detrimental effects on household members. After you have cleaned the skirting boards with all-purpose cleaner and allowed them to dry, wipe them with a fabric softener cloth. Due to the anti-static properties of the plate, no dust sticks to it, so that the skirting boards stay clean for longer.

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5. Keep track of the dishes

For many, doing the dishes feels like a Sisyphus task. Those who own a dishwasher should take advantage of these handy appliances to clean more than just cutlery and dinnerware. Dishwashers can be used to clean many kitchen utensils, from pots and pans to dishes and more. Items made of wood should not be placed in the dishwasher as high temperatures and humidity can damage or deform them. In addition, items with intricate designs or delicate materials should not be put in the dishwasher as they may stain or discolor over time. This includes fragile porcelain dishes with intricate patterns, fine porcelain sets, single crystal glasses, and gold-plated silverware.

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6. Invest in an automatic toilet cleaner

Is there a task more daunting than cleaning the toilet? For those who want to avoid having to manually clean the toilet bowl altogether, there are many products available specifically designed for this purpose. There are self-cleaning toilet bowl cleaners that can be placed in the tank of your toilet and automatically release a cleaning solution when flushed. These products help remove bacteria, mold, mildew, rust, limescale and other debris from your bowl without any manual effort.

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7. Do a 15 minute nightly cleaning

A 15-minute nightly cleaning can be an effective way to keep your home tidy and clutter-free. This resolution doesn’t require a significant time commitment, and while it may not feel like much at first, it will pay off in spades in the long run to spend even this short amount of time each evening tidying up. Those with children can involve the kids in the process and use this time to encourage the little ones to tidy up their bedrooms and playrooms.

8. Become a shoes-off household

Many families are used to wearing their outdoor shoes indoors, but stopping this is an easy way to help keep your home cleaner for longer. Wearing outdoor shoes around the house can trap dirt, dust, and other debris that can trigger allergies and asthma flare-ups, as well as bacteria that can make people sick. To make the transition easier, invest in a pair of slippers for each family member for quick changes at the front door.

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9. Clean surfaces after use

Whether it’s the stove, counter or dining table, giving surfaces a quick wipe down after each use minimizes the amount of deep cleaning that needs to be done over time. It is especially important to clean the countertop after every meal, as it comes into contact with raw ingredients such as meat and fish, which can contain harmful bacteria. Cleaning these surfaces on a daily basis reduces the risk of foodborne illness and ensures that the food prepared on these surfaces is safe for consumption.

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10. Invest in a pressure washer

Many homeowners put off cleaning the outside of their home because the task can seem like a daunting task. However, investing in one of the best pressure washers is an easy way to simplify the process. Pressure washers are powerful cleaning machines that use high-pressure water jets to loosen dirt, debris and grime from surfaces. This makes it a great tool for deep cleaning any outdoor surface, including driveways, patios, decks, sidewalks, garage floors, and siding. High-pressure washing not only saves time, but also effort, as you don’t have to manually scrub stubborn areas with brushes or rags.