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8 steps to a clean home and fresh start this new year.

8 Steps to a Fresh & Clean Start - Mercury Organizing

Congratulations on welcoming the New Year! There’s something refreshing about turning the page, closing out the old chapter, and stepping into a new one with clarity and intention. You may have wrapped up loose ends from the past year, decluttered a bit, or organized a few important spaces—wonderful! Now it’s time to make room for what’s ahead.

Think of it like getting your home ready for a guest. You tidy up, clear surfaces, remove clutter, and create space for someone special. Except this time, the “guest” is your new year—your goals, your dreams, your refreshed routines. Clearing out the old gives you a feeling of accomplishment and emotional lightness. It’s not superstition—it’s the simple truth that when your home feels open and peaceful, your mind does too.

A clean, fresh home sets the tone for a calm, focused year. Dusting, wiping, clearing, and refreshing each room isn’t just a chore—it’s an energetic reset. It signals to your brain that you’re ready for new opportunities, new habits, and a brighter season of life.

Below are eight simple steps to help you fall in love with your home again, feel happier in your space, and start the year with a clean, renewed foundation. The start of a new year always brings a sense of possibility—an invitation to reset, refresh, and create space for what matters most. Your home plays a big part in how you feel moving into a new season, and giving it a gentle reset can make all the difference. Whether you’ve already tidied a bit or you're just getting started, this is the perfect time to clear away last year’s clutter and make room for the new energy coming your way.


8 Simple Steps

1. Start with Decluttering

If you haven’t yet done a light declutter, this is the perfect moment. Go room by room and decide what you truly need and what no longer serves you. Decluttering first makes every other cleaning task easier—and it instantly makes your home feel calmer and more spacious. Once you clear out the excess, you’ll find it much easier to clean, refresh, and create a home environment that supports your goals, routines, and well-being.

This January, give yourself the gift of a clean, uplifting space. A little effort today sets the tone for a calmer, more organized year ahead

2. Put Away Clothes, Toys, and Loose Items

Return items to their “home” so you’re not cleaning around piles. Small resets create big momentum.

3. Dust All Surfaces

Wipe down furniture, shelves, and décor. Don’t forget nooks, crannies, ceiling fans, and those little cobwebs hiding in corners.

4. Clean and Disinfect Bathroom and Kitchen Surfaces

These are the heart of daily routines. Sparkling counters and sinks help set the tone for grounded, healthy habits all year long.

5. Clean Mirrors, Windows, Curtains, and Blinds

Let the light in—literally. Clear, streak-free surfaces brighten every room.

6. Vacuum, Sweep, and Mop All Floors

Take a moment to move furniture if you can. Those hard-to-reach areas are where stale energy gathers.

7. Wash All Bedding and Towels

There’s nothing like the feeling of slipping into freshly washed sheets. It’s a reset for your home and your mood.

8. Empty All Trash Cans

Replace liners and start the year with a clean slate—down to the very last bin.


Let the Fresh Energy In

When you're done cleaning, open the windows—even for a few minutes. Let fresh air circulate through your home. You’ll feel a noticeable shift in energy, a lightness that comes from clearing stagnant air and refreshing your surroundings.

As you finish, pause and notice the feeling in your body. Yes, you might be tired from the physical work, but the deeper feeling is satisfaction, relaxation, and pride. Clean, open spaces give your mind breathing room and set the stage for a more organized, intentional year.

You didn’t just clean—you created space for growth.


Helpful Tools I Recommend for New Year Cleaning & Organizing

These highly reviewed organizing and cleaning tools can help you get the job done more easily and more sustainably. Each one supports a tidy, eco-friendly, and clutter-free home.

Check out the following helpful organizing and cleaning tools:

Scrubbing Euroscubby Sponges 

Mercury Organizing likes EuroscrubbyGood Solutions Original Euroscrubby

Durable and effective for everyday cleaning.
Mercury Organizing likes: Good Solutions Original Euroscrubby – Recycle and Reuse.
Standard pack of 3.



Washable Paperless Recycled Kitchen Towels 

Mercury Organizing Likes Washable Paperless TowelsHighly absorbent Cotton and Bamboo Towels

100% Unbleached Organic Natural Fibers:

These reusable, absorbent towels are made from 80% cotton and 20% bamboo, free from harmful chemicals and dyes. One towel can be reused up to 500 times—eco-friendly and budget-friendly.





Mercury Organizing Likes Mop Broom HolderHeavy-Duty Broom Closet Organizer

A heavy-duty organizer perfect for your garage, laundry room, or kitchen.
Mercury Organizing likes: Mop & Broom Holder – 3 Racks + 4 Hooks
A simple upgrade that instantly declutters utility spaces.





I am not monetized by suggesting these products.

Need a guide? Read our blog post “How to Declutter Room-by-Room."

by


Blog post by Elizabeth Lulu Miranda. Lulu has been working as a home and office organizer in Chicago for over 15 years. She brings new perspectives on how to have an organized life. Writing for the Mercury Organizing blog “Creating the Flow". 


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