Many people use the New Year as an opportunity to set goals and improve oneself, thus making the New Year a perfect time to set some cleaning goals. Keeping your house clean is a combination of planning, executing a strategy and most important staying motivated.  Here are 4 steps to help with your house cleaning in the New Year.

Make a Cleaning Schedule: Start the New Year off right by creating a monthly cleaning schedule for your home. Identify when tasks such as cleaning the bathrooms, washing your floors or vacuuming your carpets need to be performed and spread them out over the course of a month. Making a schedule and keeping up to date with it is a great way to ensure tasks get done and nothing is missed.

Organize: The New Year is the perfect time to get organized and de-clutter. Clutter increases dust build-up in homes during the winter. Dust, especially during the winter can create a stuffy living environment and reduce air quality. Dusting and organizing clutter is a great way to start off the New Year.

Clean as You Go: Cleaning never stops, but the most efficient way to stay clean is by cleaning as you go. For example, the easiest time to wash dishes is immediately after use because the food hasn’t had enough time to harden. Also, spilled liquids can turn into stain if not cleaned up quick enough. Putting cleaning tasks aside to be done later will only leave you with more to clean in the future.

Stay Motivated: Like any New Year’s resolution motivation is crucial. That being said we understand cleaning is not the most desirable activity, but there are ways in which you can make cleaning easier and stay motivated. One great way to make cleaning easier and stay focused is by listening to music. Just like when exercising music helps our body’s ignore physical stress and increases our focus. Also before you start cleaning, have a way to reward yourself afterwards. Planning an activity, relaxing or eating your favorite food are ways in which you can reward yourself for a job well done.