As we draw the month of January to a close, are you one of the many who take the new year opportunity to give your home a big clean?
Our writer, Rachel McAlley always spends January clearing out cupboards, drawers, and generally deep cleaning everything. Spring is usually associated with a spring clean, but January seems to be when people stay home the most, so it’s the perfect time to declutter.
I spoke with Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie, who gave me a few ideas of what I could be doing around the home. Plus, I’ve included a couple of cleaning products that might help with ease the process and make your home feel refreshed.
Detox and Declutter Your Home This January: With Lynsey Queen of Clean
As the new year is here, there’s no better time to detox and declutter your home. January is the perfect month to eliminate stale energy, refresh your surroundings, and embrace a cleaner, more organised living space and revamp your home with eco-friendly habits and a fresh perspective.
Let the Fresh Air In
Start the New Year by throwing open your windows and welcoming the crisp winter air. This simple act eliminates stale odours and reinvigorates your living space. Fresh air not only helps to improve indoor air quality but also uplifts your mood, even when it is freezing creating a positive environment to tackle the year ahead.
The Power of Steam
Steam cleaning is a fantastic, chemical-free way to clean and refresh your home. Whether it’s cutting through grease and grime on kitchen surfaces or refreshing carpets and curtains, steam is your ally. It’s highly effective at removing dirt and helps lift stains while eliminating unpleasant odours, leaving your home feeling fresh and renewed. Don’t ever add product to a steam cleaner as it can break it.
DIY Cleaning Sprays
Ditch the store-bought cleaners and create your own natural cleaning solutions. Mixing white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, essential oils, and bicarbonate of soda can create powerful, eco-friendly sprays for various surfaces. For an extra shine, don’t forget the power of a juicy lemon! Lemons are perfect for scrubbing & polishing hobs, sinks, and shower screens, leaving them sparkling clean with a refreshing citrus scent. This is cost-saving and eco-friendly… start how you mean to go on!
More from Lynsey Crombie, Queen of Clean
Start Sustainable Laundry Practices
Make a conscious effort to choose laundry products with recyclable packaging and eco-friendly credentials. Alternatively, go old-school and make your own laundry detergent using soda crystals or a grated bar of natural soap. Sustainable choices not only reduce your environmental footprint but also save money in the long run. Just so your know: most home-made cleaners have a shelf life of 3 months.
Adopt a “Little and Often” Cleaning Routine
Instead of overwhelming yourself with marathon cleaning sessions, try cleaning a little every day. This habit reduces the stress of tackling messes and keeps your home consistently tidy. A quick 15-minute cleaning session each day can make a significant difference over time. Lynsey’s book The 15 Minute Clean is a great read for those wanting to start new habits and beat the blitz.
The Magic of Decluttering
Decluttering can be transformative, both for your home and your mindset. Commit to a 10-minute declutter session once a week, focusing on one area at a time. Whether it’s a drawer, a cupboard, or a corner of a room, small efforts can lead to big changes.
If you haven’t used an item in the past year, it’s time to let it go. Donate, recycle, or responsibly dispose of items you no longer need. Adopting the “one in, one out” rule, bringing in something new only when you remove an old item can help maintain a clutter-free home.
Refresh and Reorganise
Once you’ve decluttered, take a moment to reorganise your space. Group similar items together, invest in storage solutions, lazy Susan’s work great in both the kitchen and bathroom and create a system that works for you. A well-organised home is easier to maintain and provides a sense of calm and control.
The Big January Clean with Lynsey Crombie
The Benefits of a Clean Slate
A clean and decluttered home doesn’t just look good, it feels good, too. Research shows that a tidy environment can reduce stress, improve focus, and even boost your overall happiness. Starting the new year with a fresh home sets a positive tone for the months ahead.
Stay Committed to the Change
The key to maintaining a clean and clutter-free home is consistency. Build habits that integrate cleaning and decluttering into your daily or weekly routine. Small, manageable steps will make sure your home remains a sanctuary throughout the year.
Detoxing and decluttering your home in January isn’t just about cleaning, it’s about creating a space that supports your well-being and goals for the new year. From letting in fresh air to adopting sustainable practices and committing to regular decluttering, these simple tips will leave your home refreshed and rejuvenated.
Lynsey Crombie @lynsey_queenofclean is the UK’s No1 home expert and TV presenter. Lynsey’s best-selling book ‘The 15 Minute Clean’ is available to buy from Amazon.
A Few Cleaning Product Ideas from H&N Magazine
Puressentiel
Puressentiel, Purifying Air Spray
This Purifying Air Spray gets rid of unpleasant odours in the home, where it creates an uplifting and natural aromatic atmosphere. It helps to offer a fresh air feeling without any synthetic chemicals. Also, scientifically proven to be effective as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal spray, successfully eliminating bacteria, viruses, and mould.
Furthermore, it contains a unique blend of 41 pure and natural essential oils, made from 100% natural origin, with patented formula. Can be used in the air or on fabric, carpet and bedding. Things to note: 0% propellant gas, not synthetic, and bioalcohol is not denatured by phthalates. Some of the main ingredients include Tea Tree, Lemon, Scots Pine, Peppermint, and Thyme. Priced at £63.20 (2 x 500ml), from Puressentiel.
WABLU
WABLU, Toilet Naked Wonder Tabs
WABLU’s innovative Naked Wonder Tabs strip cleaning back to its essentials; zero plastic, zero waste, and zero unnecessary ingredients. For a sparkling, fresh, healthy bathroom, WABLU delivers incredible results with smart, sustainable formulas that are safe for your family and the earth. A probiotic-powered cleaning process for ongoing freshness, removing stains and grime over time naturally, 100% plastic-free, PVA free, and microplastic free. Equally, made with 99% natural, vegan, and cruelty free ingredients, plus the tabs are safe for septic systems.
The team at WABLU believe the everyday act of cleaning shouldn’t come at the cost of the environment or your health. That’s why they’re proud that their revolutionary plastic-free cleaning solution is designed to make a powerful difference in how you care for your homes and the planet. Priced at £8.49 (40 x cleans), from WABLU Care.
VeggiWash
VeggiWash Fruit Too, Kitchen Safe, Fridge Too
This Kitchen Safe product is an anti-bacterial spray for surfaces. It hygienically cleans and kills 99% of bacteria including enveloped viruses and coronavirus. Additionally, it is effective against e-coli, salmonella, and listeria, and can be used inside fridges, bins, work surfaces, and high chairs. Priced from £4.39 (750ml) – £43.90 (12 x 750ml), at VeggiWash.
The Satisfying January Big Clean! – Words by Rachel McAlley and Lynsey Crombie / @LadyRach / @lynsey_queenofclean
