Printable Cleaning Checklist & Organization Tips

January always brings that urge to clean out and get organized.

Maybe it's because we're starting a new year,
a new you with resolutions and goals.
 And want our homes

to start out fresh and clean too.

Just getting things organized, decluttering and tidying up

puts us in the right frame of mind to hit the year running!

"Stop waiting for the perfect time to get organized. Take this moment and make some progress"           -Heidi Leonard

Build upon that urge to get some things organized and cleaned out.
That's what I'm telling myself as I have this "nesting" urge to organize and declutter right now.

In some areas of the house, I'm an "organized mess" type of person.
Things tend to get left out and clutter up,
since it seems I'm always in a rush to finish a project or get sidelined by other events and commitments.
It's getting harder and harder to find what I need
because of the lack of organization or amount of "things" around the house.

"For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned."
 -Benjamin Franklin

Who couldn't use some extra hours!?
Ya, hand raised up high.
This is a big motivator to get things organized.

"What I know for sure is that when you declutter--

whether it's in your home, your head, your heart--

it is astounding what will flow into that space

that will enrich you, your life, and your family."

-Peter Walsh

Love that sentiment.

This year I'm trying to be more intentional with the things and people in our home.
The things I'm keeping and bringing in.
Our home atmosphere is already improving as we clean, simplify and put things in order.
And although it's taking some time right now,
I'm going to have more time to focus on the things that really matter.

So let's get crack-a-lackin! 

It always helps to have a plan and write it out.

Print off our "Great Cleanout Checklist" {here}.

Decide on what areas you want to focus on

and give yourself a goal date.

Be realistic on what you can get done in that time frame.

You want to succeed!

Print off multiple sheets for different goals.

Here are some ideas for spaces in your home that may need organizing:

Closets-bedroom, bathroom, storage, coat, hall

Night stands/ Dressers

Cupboards/ Pantry/ Spice Cabinet

Fridge/Freezer

Bookcases

the "junk" drawer

Purse

Car

Garage

Laundry Room

Toys/Games/Play room

School papers/Command Center/Desks

Office

Arts & Crafts Supplies/Rooms

Patio/Backyard

Magazines

Right after New Years, 

I started on my list. 

Everyone is different, maybe your goal is to get one area done a day

or as many areas as you can in a week.

Just plan it out to work within and around your "mom life" or "work life" commitments.

Get the kids involved too!

This checklist has a spot to write in the areas to be cleaned/decluttered and supplies you might need 

Supplies can be anything from cleaning products, boxes/bags, to special items. 

For instance, I'm looking for 22x8x16 storage baskets for a cabinet in our family room.

Consider containers for cabinets, shelves and drawers

that will help keep things organized and contained.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

I just pick up a few of these white plastic (they have different colors) bins from the dollar store!

Perfect for our bathroom closet to hold soaps, extra toothpaste, shaving cream, contact solution, etc.

Here's an idea for using wood crates for storage.

Baskets work great for storage especially in areas that are seen.

Tote around the cleaning products you might need 

to wipe out shelves, dust, throw away, etc.

When sorting through items in your different clean out areas,

decide which of the following categories each item will fit into:

Keep, Donate, Yard Sale, Throw out

Have a box near by for donate/yard sale and a bag for throw out.

If you're not into yard sales, go straight for donate.

 Or yard sale these items first and then donate what is left over. 

It's hard for me to throw things out, 

I always think that "I just might need to use this someday"

Time for the tough love.

Things to ask yourself as you're cleaning out:

Have I used this in the past year or two?

If the answer is no, be real, you probably don't need it.

 It goes in the donate box or trash.

Has it expired? -throw out.

Is it broken? Is it worth fixing? -throw out

Do I really need it?

Do I love it?

Does it fit? (realistically will I ever fit into those high school jeans again?-no)

Does this still function for my family, house or lifestyle?

You can do it! You got this!

Things that I got rid of last year- I don't even miss.

And what was cleaned out and organized in the past, has stayed that way.

I've found that areas that have been decluttered and organized, have been do-able to maintain.

*So decide on the areas to organize.

*Make a realistic goal. (The whole house is not going to get done at once. Break it up and do those areas that have been bothering you the most first.)

I even just focused on a few areas last year and I'm now adding some more and updating others.

*Give yourself a big ol' check mark on the list next to that area when it is completed.

*Decide on a reward after you've finished your task. 

This could be after you've finished cleaning/organizing one area,

or after every five or after your whole list is done.

You deserve it for your hard work and dedication to an organized home!

Little rewards can be as simple as giving yourself an hour to read a book, picking up a favorite sandwich for lunch, using that yard sale $ for something you've been wanting for the house or buying some flowers to put on the kitchen table.

I think we're going to love the way our home feels

after we've organized and decluttered.

This is going to help open up space and time for the things that are really important to us. 

Good luck! You got this!