With a new year comes fresh motivation for a clean and tidy home. And while you’ve got this feeling of positive productivity, you should take advantage! Although that’s not to say you should start cleaning and decluttering everything in sight immediately as that tends to lead to overwhelm and exhaustion.
Instead, try breaking up the additional but essential chores and approaching them gradually. We’re talking about the jobs you deal with less regularly – think, cleaning out the washing machine filter or giving your carpets a scrub. Not sure how often jobs, like washing the windows, need doing? Read our handy guide.
To help break down the seasonal chores you shouldn’t forget about, we’ve listed them month-by-month to make them more manageable. Pencil these into your calendar, and your home will feel that much cleaner this year.
January
Wash bedding for a fresh start – Washing the bedding is something many of us will put off because it’s such a hindrance. Duvets and pillows take a long time to dry when washed at home, which makes timing fiddly. Ideally you should complete this chore at least twice a year, otherwise sweat and grime start to build up and stain. Make sure to wash two pillows at once in the washing machine, or pad out one pillow with additional towels, otherwise the weight will become unbalanced and cause the machine to shake and vibrate as it attempts to spin.
Declutter the attic – January is a great time to declutter unused spaces, such as the attic or basement. Set aside time to clear and organise cluttered zones. And be strict on what you decide to keep, donate and toss. Once you’ve accomplished this, it will put you in a great frame of mind moving forward.
February
Clean your mattress – As well as refreshing your bedding, you should aim to vacuum your mattress at least once a month too. Always refer to your mattress brand’s care instructions first though, as some will rule out the vacuum cleaner and require specific care.
Otherwise, you can use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner along with a low power setting and run this over the surface and sides of the mattress to pick up immediate dust and dead skin cells. Remember, not all mattresses can be flipped nowadays – many are designed with alternate layers of support and need to be positioned the right way up. But, it should still be rotated every week when new, decreasing to once every few months over time. If it’s suitable to flip, flip and rotate it weekly for three months when new, then once every three to four months thereafter. Again, follow the manufacturer’s guidance on this if if you’re unsure. To deal with stains, check out how to clean a mattress properly.
Shine up silverware – If you want to take Valentine’s dinner to the next level, why not break out the silverware? Most likely, it will need cleaning and polishing first. You can either buy a ready-made silver polish, such as Silvo Tarmish Guard, or make up your own with three parts bicarbonate of soda to one part water. Apply the solution using a lint-free cloth, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth for sparkling silver.
March
Clean and polish vases – With Mother’s Day coming up, you’ll want to make sure your best vase is ready for display. If it’s dishwasher-safe, run it through on the fragile cycle for a cleanse. Alternatively, leave a dishwasher tablet to dissolve in hot water overnight in the vase, then give it a good scrub.
Put away winter clothing – Now that colder days are (hopefully) coming to an end, it’s time to store away your winter wardrobe and rotate your clothes. You can do this using vacuum storage bags to save on space; after all, knitwear and layers can take up a lot of room. It will aldso kedep them safe from moths and other nibbling nasties. For more tips, check out how to store away your winter clothes.
April
Clean the patio – With summer on the way, it’s a good idea to give your patio a once over to remove any moss and grime. First, scrub away debris and leaves with a broom, then apply a decking or patio cleaner to suit the surface. A pressure washer with the relevant attachment may be suitable for use too, but this depends on the patio type. Bear in mind, some types of wood decking will need preserving as well.
Clean the BBQ – If you plan to host any BBQs this summer, your grill will need a clean before you can get started. For smaller grills, this can be a simple case of taking it apart while cool and washing parts in soap and water before rinsing, drying and replacing. For larger grills, you can also burn off the residue. For full guidance, see the best way to clean your BBQ.
May
Replace air purifier filters – Air purifiers are handy for keeping the pollen in our homes to a minimum. Before allergy season reaches its peak, check that the filters in your air purifiers are still efficient. Some brands recommend replacing after a certain number of months, but most machines now feature a filter replacement indicator to guide you.
Clean windows – April showers will have left their mark on your windows, so take the time to give them a clean and get your windows sparkling again. You can do this using a lint-free cloth and a window cleaner or mix your own cleaner with diluted white vinegar (nine parts water to one part vinegar).
June
Deep clean your washing machine – This chore isn’t exactly timely – in fact, you should complete it at least every few months – but now is as good a time as any to do it. Remove the detergent drawer and give it a good scrub. Run the machine on a hot wash using a proprietary cleaner, such as Dr Beckmann Service It Deep Clean Washing Machine, to tackle soap scum and limescale. You should also clean the drain filters and wipe down the seal regularly. For step-by-step guidance, here’s how to clean a washing machine.
Remove grass stains from white trainers – Grass stains are inevitable in the summer, and they can quickly ruin your favourite white trainers. Luckily, these are easy to shift; spritz a few drops of WD-40 on leather or tennis shoes, before wiping away. For canvas shoes, try Vanish Oxi Action Gel, and then rinse.
July
Steam your wardrobe – For evenings out this summer or any upcoming weddings, now’s a good time to steam your delicates using one of the best clothes steamers. It only takes a couple of minutes per item for wrinkles and creases to be gone.
Wash your beachwear – If you’re planning to hit the beach this summer, be sure to wash your kit the right way. Remove all traces of sand before you start washing and steer clear of fabric conditioner; this will reduce the absorbency of the material. Wash swimwear by hand after soaking for 20 minutes in cool water, only using detergent every few washes. Hang to dry rather than resorting to the tumble dryer, otherwise you could damage the material.
August
Clean your curtains – While it still feels like summer, autumn is on the way, and now is a good time to give your curtains a clean in preparation for the longer nights. This isn’t as daunting as it sounds; some can be gently hand-washed or even washed in your washing machine (check the care label to confirm). Otherwise, you need simply take them to the dry cleaners.
Clean carpets – Vacuuming your carpets isn’t enough for a deep clean; it’s a good idea to wash them with one of the best carpet cleaners once in a while, too. Bissell recommends doing this twice a year or more often with pets and children. It will refresh your carpet and remove any embedded stains. Make sure the crapet is completely dry before replacing any furniture and rugs.
September
Clean and store your gardening tools – As one of the 5 things in the garden that need cleaning, taking care of your garden tools will help them last longer. Secateurs and loppers will need cleaning carefully to remove residual debris – wire wool or a scourer works well for this and helps remove rust at the same time. A wire brush combined with an oily rag can deal with stubborn residue or toughened mud on items. WD-40 can prevent rust on metals too. Make sure tools are completely dry before you store away.
Clean dishwasher – Even the dishwasher needs cleaning once in a while – in fact, you should be doing this every two months. Once empty, run a proprietary cleaning solution through the machine, such as Finish Dishwasher Machine Cleaner. For a household solution, you can alternatively add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the base of the machine – leave it upright to distribute gradually throughout the cycle. Then run your dishwasher as usual. This is one of the 5 ways to make your dishwasher last longer.
October
Deep clean tumble dryer – As temperatures drop, you’ll be relying less on hanging your clothes outside and more on the trusty tumble dryer, if you have one. However, this appliance requires maintenance as well. Make sure you clear out the lint filter between uses and empty out the water tank as well (if you have one). While switched off, wipe down the control panel and around the door with a damp lint-free cloth – remember to leave the door open when not in use. That way, any remaining moisture can vent.
Clear gutters – As soon as leaves start to fall, your gutters can be blocked. Keep an eye on gutters and unblock them if necessary. You can do this yourself if you’re confident enough or call in a professional to handle the work. The best DIY method is to climb a sturdy ladder and clear the debris into a bucket while wearing gloves. Flush with water once you’re finished. Here’s the best way to clean the gutters for full guidance.
November
Switch your duvet – If you find yourself shivering at night, now’s a good time to switch over your summer duvet for a winter one. With a thicker design and a higher tog rating, it should help you stay warm at night, while keeping things breathable. Need to invest in a winter duvet? These are the best winter duvets the GHI has tested.
Clear out the fridge and freezer – If there’s a time of year when you need space in your refrigerator, it’s Christmas. So, before the build-up to the big day, take a moment to clear food out of date food from your fridge and freezer. Make sure everything is visible (a lazy susan works well for jars of sauces and pastes) so nothing gets forgotten about.
December
Clean the oven – No one likes a dirty oven and it’s always a good idea to clean it before you start hosting and cooking over the holidays. You can do this using a branded oven cleaner such as Oven Mate – make sure you follow the directions carefully, using safety gloves and make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Or you can try an eco-friendly solution by combining bicarbonate of soda and water to make a paste for use on the door; leave it for 20 minutes before wiping away. The shelves can be soaked in a solution of biological washing detergent before scrubbing.
Bleed radiators – With heating costing as much as it does, you’re going to want to get the most out of your radiators; bleeding them is a good way to do this. It can even save money on your energy bills. First, check if your radiator feels warm at the bottom, but cool at the top. If that’s the case, it’s a sure sign it needs bleeding.
Switch off your heating and wait until the radiators are completely cool, then grab a small container and some cloths. Place one cloth and the container on the floor under the ‘bleed point’ and hold the other cloth directly beneath to collect any residual water – the bleed point is a valve which tends to be located on the top-right side of the radiator. Use a radiator bleed key too carefully and gradually turn the bleed point valve anti-clockwise. Air will start to release. Once the air has finished escaping, water will leak, and that’s when you turn the key clockwise again to lock it. Remember to keep the key in a safe space should you need it again in the future.