The festive period brings joy, family gatherings, and a significant amount of mess. As the last of the mince pies are eaten, many across the UK face the daunting task of restoring order to their homes. The aftermath of decorations, real trees shedding needles, and extra guests can make the clean-up feel overwhelming.
The Queen of Clean's Blueprint for a Fresh Start
Fortunately, help is at hand from a leading British expert. Lynsey Crombie, renowned as the Queen of Clean and ITV This Morning's home expert, has devised a straightforward strategy to tackle the post-Christmas chaos. She advocates for viewing January as the perfect moment for a domestic reset, promising that a few simple tricks can banish clutter and foster a sense of calm for the new year.
"Christmas is magical... until you look around on Boxing Day and realise your home has survived a month of trees, tinsel, guests, glitter and gravy," Crombie remarked in advice shared on 28 December 2025. Her method focuses on systematic clearing and clever cleaning hacks to efficiently restore your space.
Strategic Decoration Detox and Floor Rescue
Crombie's first rule is to begin with a decoration detox. Instead of a haphazard pack-away, she advises sorting items by zone: tree ornaments in one box, mantel decorations in another, and table centrepieces separately. Labelling everything is non-negotiable for ease next December. She also recommends donating any unused decorations to reduce future dusting and spread joy.
Next, address the floor, whether you've had a real or artificial tree. Needles and glitter have a habit of spreading everywhere. Use your vacuum's nozzle attachment for corners and skirting boards. For persistent glitter, Crombie suggests a clever hack: stretch an old pair of tights over the vacuum nozzle to catch sparkles without causing a blockage. Follow vacuuming with a mop or steam clean; adding a drop of essential oil to a steam mop pad can impart a fresh scent.
Tackling Gift Clutter and Refreshing Soft Furnishings
The explosion of gift packaging requires immediate action. Crombie's advice is to grab two bags: one for items to keep and find a home for, and another for recycling or donating unwanted gifts and packaging. Her golden rule is to put new gifts away immediately to prevent them from becoming part of the general clutter.
Soft furnishings like sofas and armchairs need attention after hosting guests and potential snack spills. Remove all cushions and vacuum thoroughly. Wash any throws and blankets. For a deeper refresh, Crombie recommends a DIY deodoriser: mix bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of essential oil, sprinkle over upholstery, leave for an hour, then vacuum off. Finish by airing the room with open windows.
Kitchen and Bathroom Focus for a Complete Clean
The kitchen demands a dedicated effort. Start with a fridge and freezer clear-out, removing all items to bin forgotten leftovers. Wipe shelves with warm, soapy water and place a slice of lemon inside for natural odour control. Excess cheese can be grated and frozen for later use.
Then, show your counters some love. After December's cooking, they often harbour grease and crumbs. Spray with a multi-purpose cleaner and work from top to bottom, wiping cupboard doors and handles—a known germ hotspot. Don't forget to give appliances like the kettle a quick polish.
Bathrooms, heavily used by guests, also need freshening up. For streak-free shower screens, spray with white vinegar, leave for ten minutes, then rinse. To make taps shine, rub them directly with half a cut lemon, which cleans and leaves a pleasant smell.
Once the cleaning is complete, Crombie emphasises setting the mood to enjoy your efforts. Light a fresh candle, open a window for ten minutes, and play a soothing playlist to cement that 'new year' feeling and set a positive tone for the months ahead.
