BlogThere’s something about January that makes you want a fresh start. The decorations are packed away, the guests have gone home, and suddenly you notice the crumbs under the couch and the mystery stains on the fridge door.
The good news? You don’t need to “clean your whole life” in one exhausting weekend. With a simple, room-by-room January cleaning checklist, you can reset your home step by step and set the tone for a calmer, more organised year.
💡 Want help staying consistent after January? Save our guide to creating a weekly cleaning routine you’ll actually follow.
How to Use This January Cleaning Checklist
This checklist is designed to be:
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Flexible – do it over a few days or spread it across the whole month
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Practical – focused on high-impact tasks that make your home feel different
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Realistic – no 10-hour cleaning marathons required
You can tackle:
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One room per day, or
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One category per weekend (e.g. this weekend: kitchen + fridge; next weekend: bedrooms + wardrobes)
Pick what works best for your schedule and energy.
Whole-Home Reset Tasks (Start Here)
Before you dive into each room, do these quick, whole-house tasks to instantly make everything feel lighter.
1. Clear visible clutter
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Take a laundry basket and walk through each room.
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Collect anything that doesn’t belong: random papers, toys, clothes, mugs.
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Put the basket aside for later sorting – right now, the goal is clear surfaces.
2. Open windows (if weather allows)
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Let in some fresh air, even for just 10–15 minutes.
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It helps remove stale odours and makes cleaning feel less stuffy.
3. Quick dust and vacuum
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Dust surfaces at eye level and higher: shelves, TV unit, picture frames.
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Do a fast vacuum of main walkways and living areas.
🔗 For a deeper seasonal overhaul, check out our Deep Cleaning Hacks for People Who Hate Cleaning.
Entryway & Living Room: Make Your First Impression Count
January is a great time to refresh the spaces you see first.
Entryway
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Shake or vacuum the doormat (inside and outside).
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Wipe the front door handle and light switch.
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Clear shoe clutter; donate or store pairs no one wears.
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Create a small “drop zone” (tray/basket) for keys, mail and sunglasses.
Living room
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Remove holiday decorations and give surfaces a proper wipe.
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Vacuum sofas and under cushions (yes, all the snack crumbs).
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Dust TV, media units, and any open shelves.
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Wash throws and cushion covers if care labels allow.
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Wipe skirting boards and coffee table edges.
Kitchen: The Heart of Your New Year Home Reset
The kitchen works hard during the festive season. January is the perfect time to deep clean and declutter it.
Surfaces & cupboards
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Clear benchtops and wipe them properly, including corners and edges.
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Wipe cupboard doors and handles (especially around the stove).
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Choose one or two cupboards or drawers to declutter – expired food, duplicate utensils, chipped mugs.
Fridge and freezer
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Empty one shelf at a time.
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Toss expired food and wipe shelves with warm soapy water.
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Wipe down condiment bottles before putting them back.
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Defrost and organise the freezer if needed.
Oven, stove & microwave
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Wipe the stovetop and knobs.
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Clean the microwave (a bowl of water with lemon heated for a few minutes helps loosen grime).
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If time allows, start on the oven: use a suitable oven cleaner or a baking soda paste.
🔗 Feeling overwhelmed in the kitchen? Our guide to deep cleaning your kitchen step by step breaks it down even further.
If you’d rather skip the heavy work altogether, consider booking a professional deep cleaning service to handle the kitchen reset for you.
Bedrooms: Reset Your Sleep Spaces
A fresh year deserves fresh, calm bedrooms that actually help you rest.
Bedding & soft furnishings
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Strip beds completely: sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors.
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Wash all bedding and swap heavy festive colours for something calm and neutral if you like.
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Rotate or flip mattresses if the manufacturer allows.
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Vacuum mattresses lightly and spray with a fabric refresher.
Wardrobes & drawers
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Do a quick January wardrobe edit:
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Donate anything you haven’t worn in a year.
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Store off-season items elsewhere if space allows.
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Wipe down wardrobe shelves and drawers before refilling.
Surfaces
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Dust bedside tables, lamps, and headboard.
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Wipe mirrors and glass surfaces.
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Clear away random items: water bottles, chargers, old receipts.
Bathrooms: January Spa-Style Refresh
Bathrooms are small but make a big difference when they’re properly cleaned.
Deep clean essentials
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Scrub the shower (walls, floor, and screens).
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Clean taps and fixtures to remove soap scum and limescale.
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Wipe down tiles and grout where you can.
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Clean the toilet thoroughly (including base and behind).
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Wipe mirrors and vanity surfaces.
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Clear and wipe inside bathroom drawers and under-sink storage.
Linens & extras
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Wash bath mats and hand towels.
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Check expiry dates on medicines and skincare.
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Toss empty bottles lurking in the shower caddy.
🔗 Doing a bigger move or inspection soon? Our End of Lease / Bond Cleaning Checklist includes all the extra bathroom details agents look for.
If your bathroom has built-up grime or mould, you might want to include it in a full house cleaning service or professional deep clean.
Laundry, Linens & Hidden Corners
January is a great time to deal with neglected corners around the home.
Laundry area
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Wipe down washer and dryer exterior.
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Clean the detergent drawer and filter (follow manufacturer instructions).
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Sweep and mop under and around machines if accessible.
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Organise laundry products and toss empty containers.
Linens & textiles
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Wash or dry-clean curtains if needed.
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Launder spare blankets, guest bedding and rarely used throws.
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Refresh pillows according to care labels.
Declutter Paperwork & Digital Clutter
A fresh home isn’t only about physical dust – it’s also about mental space.
Paper clutter
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Gather scattered paperwork into one pile.
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Sort into categories: keep, scan, shred/recycle.
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File important documents in clearly labelled folders.
Digital declutter (optional but powerful)
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Delete random screenshots and duplicate photos from your phone.
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Unsubscribe from newsletters you never open.
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Clear your desktop and organise files into a few main folders.
Quick January Home Maintenance Checks
While you’re already in “reset mode”, take 20–30 minutes to check a few important things:
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Test smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed.
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Check for any small leaks under sinks.
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Replace burned-out light bulbs.
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Clean or replace air-con/vent filters where required.
These small tasks can prevent bigger problems later in the year.
Turn Your January Clean into a Simple Routine
The real magic of a New Year clean is using it as a launchpad for simple habits:
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Pick one cleaning task per day (e.g. Monday = bathroom sink, Tuesday = vacuum hallway).
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Keep a small caddy with your most used products so it’s easy to grab and go.
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Do a 5–10 minute “reset” each night: clear surfaces, quick tidy, dishes.
🔗 For an easy plan you can follow all year, see our Weekly Cleaning Routine Guide.
And when life gets too busy? There’s no shame in handing it over. A recurring professional cleaning service can keep your New Year freshness going well past January.
Final Thoughts
January doesn’t have to be about overwhelming resolutions and unrealistic projects. A simple, realistic January cleaning checklist can:
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Refresh your space after the holidays
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Help you let go of clutter you don’t need
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Make your home more comfortable and easier to maintain
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Set the tone for a calmer, more organised year
Start where you are, use what you have, and tick off one small task at a time. By the end of the month, you’ll be surprised at how different your home feels—without burning yourself out.
