The holiday season fills our homes with laughter, joy, and maybe just a touch of chaos. Between twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and wrapping paper galore, the aftermath can feel a bit overwhelming. This is the month to lovingly pack away the memories, clear the clutter, and give your space a fresh start. With a little focused effort, you can transition your home from holiday sparkle to peaceful calm, ready to welcome the new year.

What You’ll Need:

• Sturdy storage bins with labels
• Vacuum with hose attachment
• Lint roller or packing tape
• Microfiber cloths
• Multipurpose cleaner or disinfectant
• Laundry supplies (detergent, dryer sheets, or wool balls)
• Donation box or bag for unused items

Start with packing up the decorations by carefully sorting ornaments, lights, and holiday décor into labeled bins. This makes next year’s setup much easier and keeps fragile items protected. Discard broken decorations and set aside anything you no longer use for donation.

Pine needles and glitter are notorious for sticking around, so vacuum carpets and rugs slowly and use the hose attachment. For stubborn sparkle on furniture or tablecloths, a lint roller or even a strip of packing tape works wonders. Wash table linens and throw blankets. Even pillows can be fluffed and freshened with a short cycle in the dryer on low heat.

It’s also important to sanitize high-touch areas, especially if you hosted gatherings. Disinfect doorknobs, remote controls, and light switches to reduce the spread of winter germs and keep your home feeling fresh.

Finally, take time for clutter control. Find permanent homes for new gifts, donate duplicates, and neatly store seasonal items so they don’t add to the chaos. By wrapping up the holidays with a thoughtful reset, you give yourself the gift of new beginnings and a clean, calm space to enjoy in the new year.

Holiday cleanup made easy with Merry Maids!

Jackie Franklin

Merry Maids

815-895-2211

merrymaidsofsycamore@yahoo.com