10 Smart Steps To Do A Deep Cleaning For The New Year

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1. Empty And Wipe Down Every Kitchen Cabinet Shelf

Okay babe, be honest, when was the last time you actually looked inside those cabinets?

January hits different when crumbs and mystery spills disappear and everything feels fresh again.

Start here to feel instantly lighter:

  • Take Everything Out: Remove all dishes and food items to see every hidden crumb and sticky spot.
  • Wipe With Warm Soapy Water: Scrub each shelf gently to remove grease and dust buildup.
  • Toss Expired Items: Throw away stale snacks and old spices to clear space fast.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Empty one cabinet at a time, wipe it fully with warm soapy water, toss anything expired, then put back only what you truly use.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a lazy Susan organizer to keep small pantry items from hiding in corners.


2. Pull Out The Fridge And Clean Behind It

Girl, the dust bunnies back there are living their best life.

Sliding the fridge out once a year feels dramatic, but wow, the difference is real.

Here’s the reset move:

  • Unplug Safely: Turn off the fridge before moving it to stay safe.
  • Vacuum The Floor: Remove dust and crumbs hiding behind and underneath.
  • Wipe The Back Panels: Clean off sticky buildup to help it run better.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Carefully pull the fridge forward, vacuum and wipe the floor and back panel, then slide it back into place.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a slim vacuum attachment to reach tight spots easily.


3. Wash All Baseboards With Warm Soapy Water

Ever notice how baseboards collect grime quietly all year?

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Once they’re clean, the whole room looks brighter without you even buying anything new.

Focus on these quick wins:

  • Use A Damp Cloth: Wipe along each board slowly to lift dust.
  • Add Mild Soap: Remove sticky spots and shoe marks easily.
  • Dry Right After: Prevent streaks by wiping with a dry towel.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Fill a bucket with warm soapy water, wipe one wall at a time, and dry each section before moving on.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a long-handle baseboard mop to save your knees.


4. Vacuum Under Every Bed And Couch

Okay bestie, out of sight does not mean out of existence.

Dust piles under furniture can make the whole house feel heavy, even if you don’t see them.

Hit these hidden zones:

  • Move Furniture Slightly: Shift beds and couches just enough to reach underneath.
  • Use Crevice Tool: Reach deep corners where toys and crumbs hide.
  • Vacuum Slowly: Make 2 passes for a cleaner result.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Slide furniture out a few inches, use your crevice attachment, and vacuum thoroughly under each piece before pushing it back.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a lightweight cordless vacuum for easier maneuvering.


5. Sort Kids’ Clothes And Donate What No Longer Fits

Girl, kids grow faster than your grocery bill, it’s wild.

Clearing out tiny jeans frees up space and clears mental clutter too.

Make it simple:

  • Pull Everything Out: Lay clothes on the bed to see it all.
  • Check Sizes Quickly: Remove anything that no longer fits comfortably.
  • Bag Donations Immediately: Place items straight into a donation bag to avoid second guessing.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Empty one drawer at a time, keep only what fits right now, and seal donation bags immediately.

How I Made It Easy: Consider clear storage bins to keep next-size clothes organized.


6. Deep Clean The Oven Inside And Outside

Alright babe, that oven door tells stories.

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Scrubbing it now saves you from that smoky surprise during the first big dinner of the year.

Give it real attention:

  • Use Oven Cleaner: Apply evenly inside and let it sit.
  • Scrub The Glass Door: Remove grease buildup carefully.
  • Wipe The Exterior: Clean knobs and handles thoroughly.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Spray oven cleaner inside, wait the recommended time, scrub grime away, and wipe the outside surfaces clean.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a reusable oven liner to catch future drips.


7. Wash All Curtains And Wipe Down Blinds

Dust hides in fabric more than you think, FYI.

Fresh curtains instantly make your home feel lighter and brighter.

Refresh these spots:

  • Remove Curtains Carefully: Take them down without pulling rods loose.
  • Machine Wash If Safe: Follow fabric instructions to avoid damage.
  • Wipe Each Blind Slat: Use a damp cloth to remove dust buildup.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Take down curtains, wash according to label, wipe blinds one by one, then rehang once dry.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a blind cleaning tool to speed up the process.


8. Scrub Bathroom Grout And Tile Corners

Bathroom corners collect drama, girl.

A quick grout scrub makes the whole space feel hotel-clean, and who doesn’t want that?

Target these trouble spots:

  • Apply Baking Soda Paste: Spread onto grout lines evenly.
  • Scrub With Firm Brush: Work in small sections for control.
  • Rinse With Warm Water: Wash away loosened grime fully.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Mix baking soda with water, scrub grout lines in short strokes, and rinse everything clean.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a handheld electric scrubber for easier grout cleaning.


9. Clean And Disinfect Trash Cans Inside And Out

Trash cans deserve better than a quick bag swap, right?

A fresh-smelling bin changes the whole vibe of your kitchen instantly.

Give them a reset:

  • Take Them Outside: Hose down inside and outside surfaces.
  • Use Disinfectant Spray: Kill lingering odors and bacteria.
  • Let Them Air Dry: Dry fully before replacing bags.
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👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Carry trash cans outside, spray and scrub them thoroughly, rinse well, and let them dry in the sun.

How I Made It Easy: Consider odor-absorbing charcoal packs to keep bins fresh longer.


10. Declutter Entryway Shoes Bags And Coats

Ever walk in and feel instantly overwhelmed by piles?

Your entryway sets the tone for your whole day, so let’s make it calm instead of chaotic.

Here’s your reset plan:

  • Remove Everything First: Clear the space completely.
  • Keep Daily Essentials Only: Return only what gets used weekly.
  • Donate Extras Immediately: Avoid storing what no one wears.

👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Empty the entryway area fully, keep only daily-use items, and place donation items straight into your car.

How I Made It Easy: Consider a slim entryway shoe rack to keep floors clear.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)