There are certain constants in life. Death and taxes being the two most famous, but I feel New Year’s resolutions should also be added to that list.
Without fail, January is filled with good intentions and guides on how to kick any number of bad habits. From losing weight to deciding to run a marathon, there are a hundred and one ways to try and make the 2021 you a better version of the 2020 you.
2020 saw most of us spending a lot more time in our houses than we probably thought possible, so why not create New Year’s resolutions to make your home healthier? The good news is that it’s easier and certainly less painful than committing to daily gym workouts. And let’s face it, come February you will still be enjoying the benefits of a healthier home which is more can be said for that expensive gym membership you only used six times in January.
Clean out expired things
Let’s start with some easy options. Get rid of things that are well past their use-by date. The best place to start with this one is the kitchen cupboard. Clear a space on your work surface and pull out all the jars of spices and herbs, sauce packets, mixes and jars of things you can get your hands on.
If there is anything amongst the assortment that comes as a surprise take a look at the expiry date. Lots of us are guilty of holding onto little-used condiments way past when we really should. Now I’m not saying that your dried parsley will turn toxic on March 3rd if its use-by date is March 2nd however if you clearly haven’t used it in the past 6 months, it may just be time to bin it.
When it comes to jars and sauces etc. ask yourself if you are ever going to use them, if not (and they are not yet expired) package them up for the local food bank.
Once you have tackled the cupboards, move onto the fridge and freezer. Get rid of any lingering left overs or make a point to cook them up in that night’s dinner. Start the new year with a fresh slate on the food front.
Bust that clutter
Now that the kitchen is clear, take stock of other things that are cluttering up your home. A tidy home can help improve your mental headspace immensely. A good way to go about achieving this is to find a place for everything. Baskets and nicely designed storage tubs are a great way to hold those day-to-day bits and bobs that you use regularly whilst keeping them within easy reach.
If Santa was good to you this year, consider if any of your presents replace older items. If they do, pack up those items to give away or put them on the buy and sell platform of your choice.
Get rid of damp
With this new-found clean space it’s time to turn your attention to the dark secrets lurking on baseboards, window sills and behind furniture. I’m talking about mould and damp.
These nasties can have all sorts of harmful effects on you, from causing trouble breathing to kicking allergies into overdrive. Not to mention the uncomfortable and cold feeling that damp causes in your homes. If you have found evidence of mould or damp you will want to tackle them as soon as possible.
One of the most effective ways to combat damp is to invest in a dehumidifier (keep your eyes peeled for a good one in the New Year sales). It is amazing just how much moisture a dehumidifier can pull out of the air, and you will feel the difference almost immediately, especially in your carpets and curtains.
If mould and damp is a persistent problem then you would be wise to find out if your radiators are up to scratch. Poor heating can be a major cause of issues in the home. I always recommend calculating your rooms’ BTU, the amount of heat required for a room, (just google BTU calculator to find out how), and then checking to make sure your current radiators are powerful enough. If they are not, or if they are simply old and not very efficient anymore, it could be time to invest in some new radiators. They are more affordable than you think, just check out the prices on these radiators here.
Add some greenery
My final suggested resolution is to commit to adding more greenery inside your house. Aim to have a plant or two in each room. The presence of living things will really lift your spirits,not to mention the air purifying properties of many easy to care for plants. If you have more of a deathly thumb than a green one, then start off with succulents, or plants like fern and ivy, which can take a fair amount of knocks and forgotten watering in their stride.
There you have it – four easy resolutions to make in your home that will set you up for a bright year. Tackle one resolution a week in January and you will be well on your way to a healthier 2021.