Year after year, Americans resolve to improve their health, happiness or finances. While setting New Year’s resolutions are certainly a great way to make a positive change (or two) in your life, most of us unfortunately renege on them before we’re rewarded. One problem is that we’re setting our goals too high. If you want to reach a big goal, first you’ll have to set a small one, such as simplifying your home.

In fact, when setting your resolutions for 2018, there’s no better place to start than with your home. This year, resolve to declutter, organize and clean your home. There is a lot of value to reaching this goal: A clean home is healthier, fosters calm, supports productivity, saves money, and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Once you’ve checked this goal off your list, you can move further down the list, one goal at a time.

Here are a few New Year’s resolutions for your home and how to achieve them.

Streamline the Clutter

One of the absolute best things you can do in the new year is to clear your home of clutter. Going room-by-room, clear anything that you don’t use, wear or love. You should also clear anything you have duplicates of. Your choices are then to trash it, donate it to charity or sell it. The latter can help with the goal of saving more money. Free your countertops of everything you don’t use on daily basis, as well.

Breathe Easy with Clean Carpet

Want to breathe a little easier?

Vacuum your carpet and, if applicable, area rugs once a week – at minimum. It’s also a good idea to schedule professional cleanings anywhere from 6 to 18 months depending on traffic. Carpet serves as a natural filter for allergens and bacteria, but over time they can be filled up, making them less effective. Professional carpet cleaning can renew your carpet, ensuring a healthier home.

Additionally, you may want to consider scheduling professional upholstery cleaning on a regular basis. Most carpet cleaning companies also clean and condition leather furniture. Industry experts recommended cleaning your upholstered furniture once per year, at minimum. This will keep it looking and smelling like new.

Schedule a Weekly Cleaning Routine

Daily: Bed is made every morning; dishes go in the dishwasher after every meal; countertops and table(s) are wiped down every night; and dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets are hung – no excuses. Sweep kitchen floors and do laundry, as needed. Put everything back in its assigned place.

Weekly: Clean your entire house. We’ve broken this down into the following easy tasks:

• Clean mirrors
• Change bedding
• Toss expired food
• Vacuum carpet and area rugs
• Mop tiled/hard surface flooring
• Scrub bathroom and kitchen surfaces
• Wipe down kitchen appliances; cleaning the inside of the microwave

Tip: Keep cleaning products, as well as rubber gloves and clean microfiber cloths, in a portable carryall that moves with you from room to room. For optimum efficiency, focus on one room, and one surface at a time.