Jumpstart January 2026

[jampss]

It's Jumpstart January Time! 2026 is ... almost ... HERE!!


I am in no hurry to take down our decor yet so, I will put off "Christmas Recovery" for mid-month.

Also, I participated in HGP and HHP last fall and so much of the house is in pretty good shape. Thanks to @Lori K and @Holiday_Mom for hosting those forums. I think de-cluttering of areas will be the BIG focus.


CHRISTMAS RECOVERY - I will start mid-January
[] De-decorate living room
[] De-decorate tree
[] De-decorate the kitchen and the dining room
[] De-decorate outside
[] Clean out refrigerator.....get rid of any lingering leftovers.
[] Put away holiday DVDs, music, books etc. on Christmas Shelf in living room
[] Organize gift wrapping/bags storage bin


~~~ Cleaning Areas Monthly ~~~
Christmas Recovery
Living Room
Front Porch/ Entryway
Master Bedroom
Bathrooms
Kids Rooms
Carport/ Screen Room
Computer Desk Area
Kitchen
Dining Room
Hall Closets
Laundry Room
Backyard/ Shed


Living Room
[] Clean ceiling fan
[] Dust
[] Wash window
[] Vacuum recliner sofa and under
[] Vacuum under carpet sectional
[] De-cluter and organize entertainment center
[] De-clutter bookshelves
[] De-clutter knick-knacks
____________________________________________

Dining Room
[] Wipe down table and chairs with furniture oil
[] Dust ceiling fan
[] Dust Photo Album shelf; De-clutter or rehome items that have found their way there
____________________________________________

Front Porch
[] Clean the light fixture.
[] Sweep the porch.
[] Sweep down the walls and get rid of cobwebs.
[] Wash the windows
[] Trim hedges
[] Front Door oiled
[] New door wreath/decoration

____________________________________________

Master Bedroom
[] Curtains - Toss in dryer on air mode and re-hang
[] Organize nightstand drawer, sweaters bins, chest of drawers
[] Clean window
[] Clean out under bed
[] Clean out closet
[] Dust
[] vacuum

____________________________________________

Master Bath & Hall Bath
[] Declutter medicine cabinet and other shelves
[] Clean cabinet doors, switches, vents, light fixtures
[] Clean shower/tub
[] Clean toilet, counters, sinks, mirrors (the usual)
[] vacuum the wooden slats to cupboard doors
[] De-clutter and organize under sink
[] sweep floor, clean baseboards

____________________________________________

Son's Room (His Job to Do)
[] Revisit his memory bin under bed
[] De-clutter books
[] De-clutter closet games
[] Go through clothes
[] Dust Desk, Computer, Shelves
[] Vacuum

____________________________________________

Screen Room/ Carport
[] De-clutter/organize the two Rubbermaid Units
[] Wipe chairs, table
[] De-clutter gardening supplies
[] Sweep/ Vacuum
[] Clean up recycle & trash can area in carport

____________________________________________

Computer Desk Area/ Craft
[] Go through desk drawers
[] Dust desk
[] Air blow out inside the computer ... DH/DS help
[] Go through filing cabinet
[] De-clutter shelves above the computer
[] De-clutter bookcase
[] Organize craft table
[] De-clutter and Organize closet
[] Dust everything else
[] Vacuum

____________________________________________

Kitchen Surfaces/ Kitchen Inside Cabinets & Such
[] Norwex fronts of cabinets
[] Nowex frig, stove, micro, dishwasher
[] Norwex counter tops including bar area
[] De-clutter and organize lower cabinets
[] De-clutter and organize upper cabinets
[] Clean out fridge and wipe down and pull out sweep behind
[] Wipe out stove and sweep underneath
[] Clean inside dishwasher w/vinegar rinse
[] Wipe out microwave w/vinegar steam

____________________________________________

Hall Closets
[] Organize Pantry closet and vacuum floor
[] Organize the hot water/heater/AC closet and take out items that shouldn't be stored there and vacuum floor
[] Go through Towel/Sheet/Medicine hall closet
____________________________________________

Laundry Room
[] Wash down inside/outside of back door
[] Go through shelves and throw away or give away
[] Wipe down washer (or vinegar clean), inside of tub
[] Wipe down dryer and clean lint trap outside of house and front panel
[] Mop floor

____________________________________________

Backyard & Shed
[] De-clutter the shed and throw away or donate, Sweep out
[] Clean out playhouse, throw away or donate, Sweep out

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

@jampss. Another great plan. I look forward to following along and adding some of your ideas into my weekly plan.

 

[jampss]

I am going to take down the outside decor today. But leave the inside up.

 

[jampss]

I have put away the Christmas dishes in their place in the cabinet above the refrigerator. I have washed up the kitchen Christmas towels. I have removed the Christmas frig magnets and other kitchen decor.

The tree and the rest ... I will do this weekend. Tomorrow is the cleaning job DS and I do. On EARLY Friday morning, I am helping DS's friend, who doesn't drive, by taking him to a dentist filling appt. This has been DS's friend (and my 'other' son) since they were young kids. And, this friend went to all DS's MRI, CT, and surgery appointments! He's been a blessing to our family by helping to get DS out the door to all those things in 2023!!

CHRISTMAS RECOVERY
[] De-decorate living room
[] De-decorate tree
[] De-decorate the kitchen and the dining room
[X] De-decorate outside
[X] Clean out refrigerator.....get rid of any lingering leftovers.
[X] Put away holiday DVDs, music, books etc. on Christmas Shelf in living room
[X] Organize gift wrapping/bags storage bin

 

[Holiday_Mom]

And, this friend went to all DS's MRI, CT, and surgery appointments! He's been a blessing to our family by helping to get DS out the door to all those things in 2023!!

I remember that time. What a great friend he is to your ds. I bet it feels good to give a little bit back to him.

My goal this spring is a whole house declutter. This month and most likely February, I am in the basement.

 

[jampss]

Well. The Christmas tree is still up.

However, I slowly and organized-ily took down and packed up all the other decor.

Tomorrow. Will be the tree.

In about ten months, I’ll get it back out! LOL

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

In about ten months, I’ll get it back out! LOL

Looking forward to that time again!

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

Week 3 of January.
The last few years I have focused on one room a week through January. There are 4 weeks and I have 4 rooms that I work on.
Loungeroom, Bathroom, Bedroom and Kitchen. Gets things back to normal and keeps things ticking over through the hot Summer months.

The next big thing for me is my get ready for Winter prep. I start this in March which is the beginning of Autumn for us. Winter is June 1st.
I use the same cleaning plan as HGP. This way I know that my house gets a good, deep clean twice a year and then maintenance through the coldest and hottest months.

 

[jampss]

Sunday was cold ... I didn't take down the tree. LOL

Today is cold ... I am contemplating taking down the tree from my chair, in blanket, with hot coffee ... it's not looking good.

 

[Holiday_Mom]

There are 4 weeks and I have 4 rooms that I work on.

I do something similar but I have grouped them into four areas. The four main areas get a good cleaning monthly. I do find it helpful for keeping the house "company ready." As I get older, I am noticing how some people a generation above me handle cleaning and maintenance. I see how I want to be and how I don't want to be. It is easier to maintain a house on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Today is cold ... I am contemplating taking down the tree from my chair, in blanket, with hot coffee ... it's not looking good.

You guys are getting hit with a lot of cold days!

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

It is easier to maintain a house on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Absolutely. I find that by doing my 5 quick chores a week plus regular maintenance keeps the house ticking over. The trick I have learned is to keep on top of things rather than having to play catch up.

 

[jampss]

@Holiday_Mom We are SO COLD!!!! Yes, Florida is cray cray! LOL

 

[jampss]

What got done ...
CHRISTMAS RECOVERY
[X] De-decorate living room
[X] De-decorate tree
[X] De-decorate the kitchen and the dining room
[X] De-decorate outside
[X] Clean out refrigerator.....get rid of any lingering leftovers.
[X] Put away holiday DVDs, music, books etc. on Christmas Shelf in living room
[X] Organize gift wrapping/bags storage bin

---

What to go onto next ...
Living Room
[X] Clean ceiling fan
[X] Dust
[X] Wash window
[X] Vacuum recliner sofa and under
[X] Vacuum under carpet sectional
[X] De-cluter and organize entertainment center
[X] De-clutter bookshelves
[X] De-clutter knick-knacks

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

What got done ...
CHRISTMAS RECOVERY
[X] De-decorate living room
[X] De-decorate tree
[X] De-decorate the kitchen and the dining room
[X] De-decorate outside
[X] Clean out refrigerator.....get rid of any lingering leftovers.
[X] Put away holiday DVDs, music, books etc. on Christmas Shelf in living room
[X] Organize gift wrapping/bags storage bin

That is a pretty impressive achievement.

 

[jampss]

Hello February!!!

The living room is tidy. Next ... is ...

Dining Room
[] Wipe down table and chairs with furniture oil
[] Dust ceiling fan
[] Dust Photo Album shelf; De-clutter or re-home items that have found their way there

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

I need to be aware of how hot things are here. It started heating up in September and is still hot now.
I am about to start my pre Winter prep, try and get all the heavy work done while the weather is still reasonable. Things like washing the curtains and spot cleaning the mattress and couch need to be done soon so that they can dry before being used again.

This year I may need to start HGP slightly earlier before it gets too hot and set up a longer maintenance program. I have worked on a room a week over the last few weeks and that has worked well in keeping things on track.
Will need to make a note of this in my planner as a reminder.

 

[jampss]

I know when it's hot and muggy here for our summer time ... I sure don't want to do much. LOL But ... also ... when it's as cold as it's been this winter ... I don't want to do much. Hmmm ... I think I see my problem ... I just plain don't want to do much.