Have you cleaned these 7 essential things in January? If not, this weekend is the perfect time to tackle them

Was keeping up with your cleaning one of your New Year's resolutions? Has it already fallen to the wayside? Don't worry, it's not too late to turn it around.

There's still time to reset and re-start your cleaning routine, or even build a new one from scratch to better suit the realities of your life and obligations. Our seven things to clean in January make for great building blocks to kick-start a new cadence for you.

I spoke to professional cleaners for their top house cleaning tips, delving into the spot to focus on this weekend, from your fridge to filters and fans.

7 things to clean in January

1. Your fridge

With the fallout from Christmas still likely having an effect on your home, Will Cotter, COO of HappyCleans, says it's time to confront those questionable condiments, and clean your refrigerator thoroughly.

'Take everything out,' he advises. 'Then, wipe down shelves with a microfiber cloth, and Lysol, MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY All-Purpose Cleaner Spray available at Amazon, or Method All-Purpose Cleaner, available at Walmart.

'Check expiration dates, and organize your refrigerator by category, so it's easier to maintain.'

It's also worth investing in the items pros say every fridge needs to stay organized, such as stackable boxes and a Lazy Susan. These kitchen organizers that professionals always buy will keep your fridge clean and organized in the long-term, and help to reduce food waste, too.

'Then, when you're done, put an opened box of baking soda or a bowl of charcoal to absorb odors,' adds Cotter.

You can also use coffee and salt to deodorize a fridge, or make a homemade vanilla vinegar cleaner to banish odors with a sweet scent.

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Air vents and filters

As Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, points out, during winter your heating system works overtime, circulating warm air to keep your home warm all day.

'Unfortunately, this also means air vents and filters collect extra dust, pet hair, and allergens,' she says. 'Over time, this buildup can lower your indoor air quality and make your heating system work harder, which is a heating system mistake driving up energy costs.'

Therefore, taking time to clean vents around your home and replace filters will improve the air quality in your home and ensure a more efficient heating system as winter continues.

3. The oven

Of all the times of year, the holiday season is hard on ovens, leaving behind grime, grease splatters, and burnt-on food. And, as cleaning expert Toner warns, if you wait too long to clean your oven, this buildup can harden, making it even more difficult to remove later.

She advises, 'A deep clean now not only ensures your oven runs efficiently, but also prevents lingering food odors from affecting future meals.'

You can use commercial oven cleaner, such as Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner available at Amazon, or clean your oven without chemicals, using a DIY vinegar and baking soda scrub, or lemon.

Importantly, though, experts warn against using the oven self-clean setting, as it may damage your appliance, shorten it's lifespan, and even render it irreparable.

But, whichever way you decide to get the job done, 'this January task will leave your kitchen keeping fresh and ready for use,' assures Toner.

4. The guest bedroom

If you had guests to say over the festive season, between holiday prep and parties, it's likely that your guest bedroom is still sitting there forgotten and untouched.

Cleaning expert Cotter says, 'With all that dust accumulated, strip the bedding and wash the bed sheets,' using a fresh-scented detergent, such as ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean Odor Blasters Fresh Burst available at Walmart, which is one of the things people with nice-smelling guest bedrooms always do.

'Then, vacuum the floor and wipe surfaces,' with a microfiber cloth and multi-surface spray. 'It's good to give the room a deep clean, so it's ready for the next guests – or just so you can reclaim that space,' he adds.

5. Light fixtures

Throughout the shorter days of winter, reliance on indoor lighting increases, meaning dusty fixtures quickly become noticeable. In fact, they're one of the things professional cleaners always notice in dirty homes.

Cleaning expert Toner says, 'Dust and grime on light fixtures and bulbs not only diminish brightness, but can also make your home feel dim and uninviting.

'A quick wipe-down of glass covers, chandeliers, and bulbs can instantly refresh the look of your home, and ensure you're getting the most light possible during these darker months.' It's an easy cleaning habit to beat winter blues, and, luckily, won't take long to do.

Always clean from the top down, so if you're sorting the lights out, vacuum afterwards to clean up any fallen debris.

6. Windowsills and tracks

If you've recently found yourself battling getting rid of condensation inside windows, this common winter issue leaves windowsills and tracks damp, making it more likely you'll need to clean mold and mildew around windows.

Cleaning expert Toner warns, 'Left uncleaned, this can lead to staining, unpleasant odors, and can even impose health risks. By scrubbing these areas now, you're not only preventing long-term damage, but also maintaining a healthier home.'

To do so, you can use chemical mold killers, such as the RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray available at Amazon, or clean with vinegar for an all-natural alternative, as vinegar effectively kills mold due to its acetic content.

'Plus, clean windowsills make your view of the winter landscape much more enjoyable,' Toner adds.

7. Ceiling fans

Finally, don't forget to clean your ceiling fans, whether they're left off, or used in reverse mode to help circulate warm air.

Cleaning expert Toner advises, 'If left unchecked, that dust collecting on the fan blades can circulate into the air when the fans are reversed again in the spring,' which is a reason your home gets dusty quickly, and that allergies may be triggered.

'Cleaning fan blades now helps maintain better air quality throughout the colder months, and saves you an unpleasant surprise when warmer weather rolls around.'

If you're unsure how to, Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved here at Homes & Gardens, has shared her mom's ceiling fan cleaning tip, to make the job easy.

FAQs

What is the 20-minute rule in cleaning?

If you're struggling to get all these cleaning tasks done, the 20-minute cleaning rule helps you to create an achievable cleaning routine that you'll actually stick to.

All you need to do is clean for 20 minutes, reward yourself with a 10-minute break, and repeat until you've finished.

While you may have tackled these essential cleans, there's still time to get rid of the things to declutter in January before the new month begins.