10 Things I Always Clean Before the New Year (Because They Actually Reset the House)
I’ve learned the hard way that trying to clean everything before January is how you end up exhausted and annoyed. What works better for me is focusing on the areas that quietly affect comfort, hygiene, and how the house feels day to day.
These are the 10 things I make a point to clean before the new year because they give the biggest payoff with the least effort.
1. The air fryer and microwave
They work nonstop during the holidays and trap grease and smells fast. Cleaning them before January prevents lingering odors and hardened buildup.
2. The dishwasher
After heavy seasonal use, filters and seals need attention. A clean dishwasher means better performance and no musty smells starting the year.
3. The refrigerator interior
Old leftovers, spills, and forgotten items add up. Clearing and wiping shelves instantly freshens the kitchen.
4. Kitchen cabinets and storage
Holiday cooking means constant opening, spills, and clutter. Emptying and wiping cabinets resets how the kitchen functions.
5. Trash cans (inside and out)
Even with liners, residue builds up. Cleaning them removes odors that can linger through the whole house.
6. The mattress
This is easy to postpone all year. Vacuuming and deodorizing before January makes the bedroom feel genuinely refreshed.
7. Upholstered furniture
Sofas and chairs collect crumbs, dust, and pet hair. A deep vacuum changes how clean the living space feels immediately.
8. Shower heads
Mineral buildup affects water pressure and cleanliness. Cleaning them before the new year improves daily showers instantly.
9. Light switches and door handles
High-touch surfaces get overlooked but spread germs quickly. Wiping them down is fast and makes a real hygiene difference.
10. Bath mats and bathroom textiles
They absorb moisture constantly and can harbor odors. Washing them helps the bathroom feel clean instead of just tidy.
Why I Stop at 10
These are the areas that affect smell, comfort, and daily routines the most. Once they’re clean, the house feels noticeably lighter and easier to live in without turning the end of the year into a cleaning marathon. For me, that’s the kind of reset that actually lasts into January.
From a feng shui perspective, cleaning before the new year isn’t about rituals. It’s about flow. Spaces weighed down by buildup, dust, and lingering odors tend to feel heavy and stagnant, even if we don’t consciously register it.
Clearing those areas restores a sense of movement and openness that supports fresh routines and clearer thinking. Whether or not you follow feng shui principles, starting the year in a clean, well-maintained space makes it easier to move forward without carrying last year’s clutter with you.