6 New Year Cleaning Resolutions You Can Actually Stick to, Straight From the Experts

You can’t talk about the new year without hearing “resolution.” The term is polarizing—it inspires hope for some while evoking dread in others. When it comes to the home, cleaning and organizing are particularly top of mind.

But if you’ve had certain habits for so long, those resolutions can feel unattainable. It’s hard to know where to start—parting ways with your junk drawer is easier said than done, after all.

So, how can you actually achieve your New Year's resolutions at home? We tapped three cleaning and organizing experts for their advice on how to set home resolutions that you’re sure to maintain. Check out their top tips, ahead.

Declutter Regularly

The first obstacle to achieving a consistently clean space is often being overly ambitious. Instead of cleaning your whole house at once, it’s helpful to tackle it one step at a time.

“While you're making dinner, take a minute to tidy up the fridge, pantry, or utensil drawer,” Keli Jakel, owner of Organized by Keli and Co., suggests as an example. “If your laundry pile is full, it's the perfect opportunity to quickly declutter your closet. The items that are left are either out of season or not your favorites.”

Quick decisions can make a big difference over time. “By tackling small tasks frequently, you'll keep your space tidy without taking up extra time in your routine,” Jakel explains.

In need of a deeper clean? Break up your space into sections.

“Commit to decluttering one area of your home each month,” Nicole Sachiko, professional organizer and founder of Tidy Lifestyle, recommends. “This gradual approach can prevent overwhelm and maintain order.”

Set Aside Intentional Time

Another common hindrance to achieving cleaning resolutions is actually finding the time to do them. So, it’s best to be intentional.

“Instead of ‘I should clean,’ say ‘I will clean all surfaces and floors every Sunday morning after breakfast,’" Sachiko says. “When we are specific about the way we spend our time, we are much more likely to finish the task.”

Jakel also suggests integrating cleaning into your normal routines, like doing a quick reset before bed.

“Spend just 10 minutes putting everything in its place,” Jakel says. “It's an easy way to create tidy habits and keep your home organized. If it takes longer, it might be time to rethink your systems.”

You can always turn to technology to help carve out cleaning time, too.

“We suggest setting a reminder with an alarm in your phone to go off each day at the time you want to do your resolution,” MaryJo Monroe, professional organizer at reSPACEd, says.

Stick to a Few Products

With all the different cleaning supplies out there, it can become overwhelming to know what to buy. Though, according to Sachiko, you need less than you think.

“The simple way to be clean and tidy while staying minimalist is to use two to three products throughout the home,” Sachiko explains. 

The first is distilled vinegar, “a natural antiseptic that can be used on hardwood floors, counters, and surfaces,” Sachiko says. Then, use bleach for deep cleaning showers, tubs, and sinks. Plus, Windex is great for glass and windows. 

You can even put these solutions in reusable glass spray bottles. “Cleaning solutions can look nice without causing visual clutter from plastic and loud store-bought labels," Sachiko notes.

Say Goodbye to Paper Piles

Struggling with cluttered countertops? “One of the best organizing resolutions you can make this year is to sort through your mail each day as soon as you grab it,”  Monroe notes. “Recycle what you can before it has a chance to hit the counter. This will help tremendously to cut down on paper piles in your home.”

To make your life even easier and stay on top of important deadlines, you can set up four folders in a file sorter on your counter.

“Label each folder To Pay, To File, To Look Into and Pending, and sort your mail accordingly,” Monroe says. “Once a week, go through the folders to process what you can so your folders don’t get overstuffed.”

Give Important Items a Home

When it’s time to head out the door, the last thing you want delaying you is one item.

“Make this the year that you stop losing your phone and keys!” Monroe insists. Her tip? Assign a single home to both of these things and return them to that home every day.

“Perhaps you want to keep your phone on or near its charging station when not in use,” she says. “Keys can live on a hook or in a dish on a side table by the door you enter and exit each day.”

Involve the Family

The burden of cleaning doesn’t have to just be on you. Involving the whole household can be beneficial beyond a clutter-free home.

“Cleaning teaches us how to care for ourselves and our environment,” Sachiko notes.

One way to start? “Have your children go through their backpacks every day after school and hand you any papers they find, along with their lunch bags,” Monroe offers. “This way, you are sure to not miss homework assignments, notes from the teacher, or flyers about upcoming events.”

Incentives are always helpful, too. “I highly recommend using an allowance to motivate kids to clean or tidy up,” Sachiko advises. “It also allows them to show responsibility and learn how to manage personal money at an early age.”