The big clean-up: Restoring order to your home after festivities

Mark the start of a fresh New Year with these expert tips. By Sam Wylie-Harris

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With all the excitement and buildup to the big day, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of festive décor... forgetting the ghosts of Christmas past, along with all the clutter to be cleared.

Fallen pine needles, clumps of tinsel, sticky finger stains on the sofa; and all those lovely leftovers which gradually lose their lustre as they near their sell-by date.

"Christmas is magical... but the aftermath? Not so much," quips Lynsey Crombie, Queen of Clean (@ lynsey_queenofclean), the UK's leading home expert and TV presenter.

"Once the last mince pie has been eaten and the final cracker joke has been groaned at, it's time to roll up those sleeves and get your home back to its calm, fresh, happy self."

With a few smart tricks and a little bit of method (together with a drop of essential oil or two), Crombie says you can transform the chaos into order in no time.

Here's how to start the year with a sparkling home and clear mind...

Tackle the decorations

"Put the brakes on the temptation to shove everything back in boxes and deal with it next year; you'll be thankful you took five minutes to organise properly," advises Crombie.

She says to pack by area: Tree, kitchen, hallway, mantel, outdoors. "Wrap delicate bits in leftover tissue or even spare tea towels.