Post Holiday Clean-up Tips: Getting Organized for the New Year

Cleaning up after the holidays is a great time to do deep cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing. In Japan, New Year is a time when homes receive a top-to-bottom cleaning (oosouji). Also, business offices are organized and cleared from clutter and dirt. Oosouji means "big cleaning. “Oo” means "big" and “souji” means "cleaning." Japanese believes that “removing the dirt from the old year” creates a clean emotional state to welcome the new year, and invite prosperity. Here are some quick tips to help you observe oosouji in your home:

1. Take down your tree. Most people believe you should keep your Christmas tree up until January 5 which marks the 12th day of Christmas. If you have a real tree, take it down when needles start falling off. This means it’s dried out and can pose a serious fire hazard. Don’t throw it away. Many cities and counties have recycling services to put your old Christmas tree to new life.


2. Organize as you pack away all the holiday decorations. Store ornaments, holiday lights, garlands and holiday pillows neatly in storage boxes, toss decorations you no longer care for.


3. Donate gifts or items you don’t care for. Do not allow your home to be cluttered with items you do not want simply because they were gifts. Donate or re-gift it now rather than keeping them around house as clutters collecting dust. New clothes for the kids? Before placing them in the drawer, take out clothes that no longer fit or that your child doesn’t wear anymore and put it in donation box.


4. Clean and organize the kitchen. Toss kitchen utensils that are broken or rusty. Throw away left over uncooked meats and marinades from the holidays.


5. Tidy things away, wipe, sweep and vacuum through the house. Tackle one room at a time.

Happy New from all of us at FactoryDirectDrapes.com!