6 New Year’s Cleaning Resolutions You’ll Actually Keep, According to the Experts

The new year is synonymous with resolutions. For some, it sparks excitement and motivation, while for others, it’s a reminder of goals that feel out of reach. When it comes to your home, cleaning and organizing are often at the top of the list.

But sticking to those resolutions can be tough, especially when certain habits have been in place for so long. Letting go of clutter—like that junk drawer—can feel more challenging than it sounds.

So, how do you set home resolutions that are actually achievable? We asked three cleaning and organizing pros to share their advice on setting goals you can maintain all year long. Keep reading for their best tips.

Declutter Regularly

The first hurdle to maintaining a consistently clean space is often setting unrealistic expectations. Instead of trying to clean your entire home in one go, it’s more effective to break it down into manageable steps.

Keli Jakel, owner of Organized by Keli and Co., suggests using small moments during the day to tidy up. “While cooking, take a minute to organize the fridge, pantry, or utensil drawer,” she advises. “If your laundry pile is overflowing, it’s the perfect time to declutter your closet. Anything left behind is either out of season or no longer your favorite.”

Making quick decisions can have a lasting impact. “By handling small tasks regularly, you’ll keep your space organized without it taking up extra time in your day,” Jakel adds.

For a more thorough cleaning, break your space into sections.

“Focus on decluttering one area of your home each month,” recommends Nicole Sachiko, professional organizer and founder of Tidy Lifestyle. “This gradual approach helps prevent feeling overwhelmed and keeps your space orderly.”

Set Aside Intentional Time

A common barrier to sticking with cleaning resolutions is simply finding the time to get them done. To overcome this, it’s important to be intentional with your approach.

“Instead of thinking, ‘I should clean,’ say, ‘I will clean all surfaces and floors every Sunday morning after breakfast,’” says Sachiko. “Being specific about how we allocate our time makes us far more likely to follow through.”

Jakel recommends weaving cleaning into your daily routines, like doing a quick reset before bed.

“Just spend 10 minutes putting everything back in place,” Jakel suggests. “It’s an easy way to develop tidy habits and keep your home organized. If it takes longer, it might be time to reassess your systems.”

You can also use technology to help create time for cleaning.

“We recommend setting a reminder on your phone with an alarm to go off each day at the time you plan to work on your resolution,” advises MaryJo Monroe, professional organizer at reSPACEd.

Stick to a Few Products

With so many cleaning products available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about what to buy. However, Sachiko suggests you don’t need as many as you might think.

“To maintain a clean and tidy home while keeping things minimalist, you only need two or three essential products,” Sachiko explains.

The first is distilled vinegar, “a natural antiseptic that works well on hardwood floors, counters, and various surfaces,” she says. Next, bleach is great for deep cleaning areas like showers, tubs, and sinks. And Windex is ideal for cleaning glass and windows.

You can even store these solutions in reusable glass spray bottles. “This way, your cleaning products look neat and stylish, without the visual clutter of plastic bottles and bold store labels,” Sachiko adds.

Say Goodbye to Paper Piles

If you’re dealing with cluttered countertops, Monroe suggests a simple organizing resolution: “Make it a habit to sort through your mail every day as soon as you get it,” she advises. “Recycle what you can right away, before it ends up on the counter. This small step can make a huge difference in reducing paper piles around your home.”

For added convenience and to stay on top of important tasks, you can set up four folders in a file sorter on your counter.

“Label each folder as To Pay, To File, To Look Into, and Pending, then sort your mail into the appropriate categories,” Monroe recommends. “Once a week, review the folders and process what you can to prevent them from becoming too overloaded.”

Give Important Items a Home

When you're rushing to leave the house, the last thing you want is to waste time searching for one missing item.

“Make this the year you stop misplacing your phone and keys!” Monroe urges. Her advice? Designate a specific spot for both items and always return them there at the end of each day.

“Maybe keep your phone on or near its charging station when you’re not using it,” she suggests. “As for your keys, place them on a hook or in a dish on a side table by the door you use most often.”

Involve the Family

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Getting the whole household involved can offer more benefits than just a clutter-free space.

“Cleaning teaches us how to take care of ourselves and our environment,” Sachiko explains.

A good way to start? “Have your kids go through their backpacks every day after school, giving you any papers they find, along with their lunch bags,” Monroe suggests. “This way, you won’t miss important homework, teacher notes, or flyers about upcoming events.”

Incentives can also be a great motivator. “I highly recommend using an allowance as an incentive to encourage kids to clean or tidy up,” Sachiko says. “It also helps them develop responsibility and learn how to manage money from an early age.”