Cleaning Up After the Holidays: Where to Start in January

After the whirlwind of the holiday season, January hits us like a deep breath — part relief, part realization. If you’re like many of our Fort Worth and Mid Cities neighbors, the decorations are starting to feel a bit overdue and your home may still show signs of celebrations, family gatherings, and gift unwrapping marathons. At Maid Brigade of Fort Worth, we understand how overwhelming post-holiday cleanup can be, especially when you’re juggling life, family, and work. Let’s walk through a practical plan to get your home refreshed and reset for the New Year.

Step 1: Pack Away the Holidays With Intention

Before you can clean effectively, it’s important to get your space decluttered — starting with those festive decorations.

• Sort & Store: Categorize your decorations by type (tree décor, lights, kitchen items, etc.). Use clear bins or well-labeled boxes to make things easier when the holidays return.
• Donate Broken or Unused Items: Be honest with yourself. If you didn’t use a particular décor piece this year, chances are you won’t next year. Consider donating gently used items.
• Check Exterior Lights: If any of your outdoor decorations or lights were damaged during recent storms or freezes, replace or discard them now to avoid the scramble next season. Taking the extra time to organize and declutter your seasonal items now will give you a leg up when the next holiday season rolls around.

Step 2: Deep Clean the Main Living Areas

Once the decorations are down, you’ll likely notice the leftover mess — pine needles in the carpet, glitter on the couch, and lots of dust where holiday pieces once sat. Here’s how to tackle those areas systematically:

• Vacuum Thoroughly: Pay special attention to high-traffic areas and around where the Christmas tree stood. Be sure to move furniture if it was rearranged for entertaining.
• Wipe Surfaces: Use a gentle multi-purpose cleaner for wiping down mantels, shelving, and other surfaces where décor once rested. Don’t forget light switches and door knobs — winter cold and flu season makes disinfecting especially important. The CDC recommends disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces to reduce the spread of viruses.
• Clean the Windows: Holiday lights may have masked dirty windows, but now is a good time to give them a streak-free clean that brings in that beautiful winter light.

Step 3: Restore Kitchen Order

For many families, the kitchen is holiday command central — cookie baking, meal prepping, and hosting long conversations over warm drinks. But after the holidays, it often needs some TLC.

• Check Pantry Items: Sort through food gifts and leftovers. Dispose of expired items and make a plan to use up non-perishables you already have on hand.
• Appliance Wipe-Down: Clean your refrigerator shelves, microwave interior, and oven surfaces. Refreshing your appliances now will save time later in the year.
• Disinfect Garbage Cans: Holiday leftovers and packaging materials often mean your trash bins have taken a beating. Give them a good scrub and let them air out.

Step 4: Reset Bedrooms and Guest Spaces

If you hosted guests over the holidays, take time to wash guest bedding, towels, and reset those rooms for everyday use. These spaces are often forgotten in the January refresh process but are important for overall home comfort and organization.

• Launder Linens: Wash all sheets, blankets, and towels thoroughly and store them with moisture-absorbing sachets or fabric-safe storage bins.
• Dust & Vacuum: Guest areas often collect dust in quiet corners. Dust all surfaces, vacuum baseboards, and freshen the air with natural deodorizing sprays or essential oils.

Step 5: Set a Sustainable Cleaning Routine

One of the best things about January is the opportunity to start fresh — not just with resolutions, but schedules. Keep your home running smoothly by creating a simple, sustainable cleaning routine that fits your lifestyle.

• Daily: Light tidying in high-use areas like the kitchen and living room.
• Weekly: Dusting, vacuuming, and bathroom cleaning.
• Monthly: Rotate deep-cleaning tasks like windows, ceiling fans, and baseboards. Feeling too busy to manage a new routine? That’s where we come in. At Maid Brigade of Fort Worth, we offer fully customizable house cleaning services designed with busy families in mind.

Let Us Help You Welcome the New Year Right

Cleaning up after the holidays doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a clear plan and the right support, you can step into the New Year feeling organized, refreshed, and ready to take on whatever 2024 brings your way. Whether you live in Fort Worth, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, or anywhere in the Mid Cities, Maid Brigade Fort Worth is proud to be your local, trusted cleaning team. Our experienced professionals are here to help you reclaim your home and maintain the cleanliness you deserve. Let us support you in setting the tone for a calm, organized year. Ready to start the year fresh? Get an instant quote online today, book your first service, or reach out to our friendly team today to get started!