January is the perfect time to embark on a whole-house overhaul. The Christmas tree has been packed away, your visitors have (hopefully) left and you’re finally starting to return to your normal routine.

UK cleaning company Dr Beckmann has released its annual 12-month cleaning calendar, which details how to clean your house over the space of the year. You can follow this year-in-year-out, and tweak it to suit your own individual needs, but it provides a basic guideline and breaks down the cleaning into more manageable tasks so that you’re now overwhelmed having to tackle all of it at once.

Ready to start your year on the right foot? Read on for your 12-month guide to your cleanest home ever.

January: Declutter

If there’s one place to start the year on a clean slate, it’s by getting rid of all the junk. You know what we’re talking about – the piles of clothes at the back of your wardrobe or the broken furniture that’s been sitting in the garage for months, on the premise that you’ll ‘get to it one day’. It’s all got to go!

February: Make repairs

Speaking of broken furniture, if there’s anything that you want to selvage or anything that needs a little maintenance – a lick of paint, a new cushion insert – then February is the month to get on top of all of that.

March: Reach new heights

If you’ve been storing anything on top of cupboards, wardrobes or cabinets, this is the month to get rid of it or find a more permanent storage space for it. Things stored at heights will just be gathering more dust.

April: Neglected areas

Dirty blinds, a falling hem on a curtain, or marked skirting boards – April is the month to visit neglected areas that you might forget about through the year. Give bannisters, cupboards, frames, shelves and lampshades a good clean in April to rid them of dust and bacteria.

May: Windows

As we get ready for winter to approach, use the extra daylight hours to give windows a good clean in May. Be sure to cleaning wipe down and dry off the glass as soon as you clean it to avoid build-up.

June: Invisible areas

Mid-year is the best time to target ‘invisible areas’ such as under beds, sofas and cabinets. Rearrange furniture and you’ll be surprised at the amount of dirt and dust (and random household items) that have been hiding underneath.

July: Spruce up the garden

Now that the long, hot days of summer are behind us, it’s a good time to show your gardens a little TLC. Outdoor paving is easy to neglect, but giving everything a good gurney will lift any mould and set you up for a summer of entertaining outdoors.

Start by having a good sweep up – rake dead leaves off gravel and turf, brush up debris from decking, paths and paved areas. You’ll be amazed at what a difference this makes to the overall appearance of your garden. Don’t forget to lift plant pots and sweep up loose earth that gets washed out and gathers beneath them.

August: Take a break

You’ve worked hard all year, enjoy a month off to recoup.

September: Detox

Get ready for some good old fashioned spring cleaning! As the days start getting longer (and lighter) turn your attention to the kitchen and bathroom and give them a deep clean. Leave no surface un-disinfected.

October: Floors

Floors cop a hiding year-round, and they can be easy to overlook. But sadly, a weekly vacuum does little to prevent bacteria from spreading. Try steaming carpets, tiles and hardwood floors to give them a good clean. If you don’t have a carpet cleaner, you can hire them from retailers for a small fee. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt they’ve been holding.

November: Storage

Take some time to tidy the garage or shed, or any space you use to store household items. These areas are prone to mess, so giving them a proper clean and declutter once a year will ensure they stay in a manageable condition and everything is easy to find. Be ruthless when it comes to getting rid of any unnecessary clutter. Invest in some storage boxes or shelves to keep similar items grouped together — this will make everything seem a little more organised.

December: Appliances

Before the Christmas period really kicks off, now’s the time to make sure all of your appliances are in good working condition and suitably clean. We’re not just talking about the fridge and oven – think washing machines, dishwashers, toasters, mix masters and everything in between. Give them all a good clean to make sure they’re free from mildew, rust, mould and bacteria.