Typically, we think of spring cleaning, not fall cleaning, but there are a few important things you should do to get your home ready for the cooler months ahead. These fall cleaning tips consist of seasonal items as well as general cleaning tasks that should probably get done more often than once a year.
This list is broken down by rooms or sections of the house. It may look intimidating, but if you just tackle one room a day, you can be done in just over a week! Let’s take a look at how to prepare your home for fall.
Kitchen
I don’t know about you, but the kitchen is the hardest to clean (and keep clean) around my house. After doing the dishes and wiping down the counters, I’ve just about reached my limit. That’s why I put this room first on the list. Everything else will be easy, right? Right?! Here’s to hoping.
- Pantry: Empty the shelves, wipe down, and get rid of expired food. If you have any canned goods and/or other non-perishable items you no longer want or are willing to part with, this is a great time to donate! So many families struggle through the holidays, so donating these items to your local food pantry will go a long way. Here’s a list of pantry items that don’t expire.
- Wipe down: Fridge, walls, microwave, oven & stovetop, and front of dishwasher. Check out this microwave cleaning hack!
- Deep clean: Inside of dishwasher, inside of fridge, and garbage disposal. See an in-depth process for the best and easiest way to clean your dishwasher here! Also check out our recipe for DIY garbage disposal cleaning cubes.
- Disinfect garbage cans: Wipe down inside and outside of garbage can with disinfectant wipes.
Living Room
This is commonly the most used room in the house, so it’s important to keep it clean! There are some basic things on this list, but a few surprising ones you might not have thought of before.
- Vacuum: Shampoo and vacuum the carpet, making sure to move the furniture to get every square inch. Also make sure to vacuum your upholstered furniture!
- Wash blankets: When is that last time you tossed the throw blankets in the wash? I’ll admit it’s been a while for me.
Around The House
- Things to check: Corners for cobwebs, burnt out lightbulbs, fire extinguishers, batteries in smoke detectors & flashlights
- Things to dust: Blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures, lampshades (tip: use a lint roller!), baseboards
- Things to organize: Coat closet, loose papers and/or mail, linen closets
Bedrooms
- Things to wash: Comforters, pillows (see our pillow hack here!), curtains
- Bed: Flip mattress & change bedding from summer to winter.
- Misc.: Declutter nightstands, organize closet & switch out summer clothes for winter clothes
Bathroom
- Shower/tub: Wash shower curtain, replace shower liner, clean grout, clean drain
- Things to disinfect: Garbage can, toothbrush holder, toilet (see our recipe for a toilet cleaning “bomb”)
- Things to wipe down: Medicine cabinet, mirrors, under the sink
- Misc.: Organize beauty products & toss what you’re not using, sort through medications, change or disinfect toothbrush (see how & why here)
- Home: Clean gutters, wash windows, put away outdoor furniture, powerwash the deck
- Yard: Rake, clear flowerbeds, clean out any bird feeders and replace with birdseed for winter birds
- Misc.: Check snowblower & shovels, stock up on de-icer, clean & cover grill, drain and store hoses
Outside & Car
