As the leaves start to turn and the air grows crisper, there’s a natural urge to get your home ready for the cooler months. Fall cleaning may not have the same reputation as spring cleaning, but it’s equally important. It’s the perfect time to refresh your space after a long summer and prepare for the cozy, indoor-heavy months ahead. By tackling a few key tasks, you’ll set yourself up for a more organized, comfortable, and healthy home as winter approaches. Here’s a simple, effective guide to help you approach fall cleaning with ease.
Why Fall Cleaning Matters
Fall cleaning is more than just tidying up—it’s about preparing your home to withstand the unique challenges of the cooler months. With more time spent indoors during fall and winter, it’s important to ensure your home is not only clean but also functional and comfortable. Dusting, decluttering, and deep-cleaning now can help prevent health issues from poor indoor air quality, minimize allergens, and create a welcoming environment as family and friends come together for the holidays.
Fall also presents a unique opportunity for preventive maintenance. Addressing potential issues now can save you time and money in the long run. For example, ensuring your HVAC system is in top shape before the temperatures plummet will help avoid the rush of repairs during the first cold snap. Similarly, clearing out gutters and inspecting your roof can prevent costly damage from fall rains or winter snow.
Decluttering Before You Start
Before diving into cleaning, it’s essential to declutter. Fall is a transitional season, making it a great time to put away summer items and streamline your belongings. Start by going through closets, drawers, and storage spaces, removing items you no longer use or need. This is especially important if you’ve accumulated things over the summer—clothes, shoes, or outdoor gear that won’t see much use in the coming months.
When decluttering, focus on these areas:
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Closets: Rotate out summer clothes and accessories, replacing them with sweaters, jackets, and scarves. Donate or store items you no longer wear. Consider adding organizational tools like bins or baskets to make storing seasonal items easier.
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Mudrooms or Entryways: Organize summer shoes, beach bags, and outdoor gear, and make space for fall essentials like rain boots, umbrellas, and scarves. Make sure you have a designated spot for wet or muddy shoes to avoid tracking dirt into the house.
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Kitchen: Clear out expired pantry items and make room for fall and winter staples, such as canned goods and baking ingredients. Go through your kitchen gadgets as well—store or donate items you don’t use often, and keep only the essentials handy.
Deep Cleaning Key Areas
With the clutter out of the way, you can move on to a deeper clean. Fall cleaning focuses on areas you may have overlooked during summer’s busy months. By giving attention to these often-neglected spots, you’ll keep your home feeling fresh and ready for the months ahead.
1. Windows and Window Treatments
With the cool weather setting in, it’s time to make sure your windows are clean and in good condition. You’ll likely have them closed more often, so clean windows can help let in as much natural light as possible.
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Wash windows inside and out, paying special attention to corners where grime can build up. Use a mixture of water and vinegar or a glass cleaner to ensure a streak-free finish.
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Wipe down window sills and frames to clear away any accumulated dust or cobwebs. This prevents buildup and helps avoid allergens from settling.
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Clean blinds and curtains. If you have fabric curtains, consider washing or vacuuming them to remove dust. For blinds, wipe them down with a damp cloth or a dusting tool. If your window treatments have any stains, now’s the perfect time to treat them.
2. Air Vents and Filters
As the heating system kicks on, you want to ensure that the air circulating through your home is as clean as possible. Cleaning your vents and replacing filters can reduce allergens and improve indoor air quality.
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Dust and vacuum air vents to remove buildup. For deeper cleaning, remove the vent covers and wash them in warm, soapy water. Be sure they’re fully dry before reinstalling.
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Replace air filters in your HVAC system. Most experts recommend changing filters every 90 days, but it’s especially important before the winter months when systems run more frequently. If you have pets or allergies, you may want to switch to a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap smaller particles.
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Check your furnace. Make sure it’s working properly, and schedule maintenance if necessary. Regular maintenance helps ensure that your system runs efficiently and can extend its lifespan.
3. Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures
Ceiling fans might not be in heavy use during the colder months, but they accumulate dust quickly, especially during the summer. Now is a good time to clean them, so they’re ready for reverse mode, which pushes warm air down in the winter.
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Dust fan blades, wiping them with a damp cloth to remove grime. You can also use a pillowcase to clean the blades—just slip it over each blade and pull it back, trapping the dust inside.
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Clean light fixtures and replace any burnt-out bulbs to brighten up the shorter fall days. Consider switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which last longer and can reduce your energy bill.
Tackling the Floors
With summer behind us, you’ve probably tracked in more than your share of dirt, sand, and outdoor grime. Fall is an ideal time to give your floors some extra attention.
1. Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs
After months of outdoor activity, carpets and rugs can harbor dirt, allergens, and odors. Deep cleaning them before fall helps to eliminate these issues and gives your home a fresh start for the new season.
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Vacuum thoroughly, paying special attention to high-traffic areas. Use the attachments to clean under furniture and along baseboards.
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Steam clean or shampoo carpets to remove deep-set stains and grime. Consider renting a carpet cleaner or hiring professionals if necessary. You’ll be amazed at how much fresher your home feels after this step.
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Rotate area rugs to even out wear and tear, especially if they’ve been exposed to direct sunlight over the summer.
2. Hard Floors
Whether you have hardwood, tile, or laminate floors, they benefit from a good cleaning as you prepare for fall.
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Sweep and mop hard floors, removing dirt and dust. Be sure to use the appropriate cleaner for your floor type—wood floors may need a wood-safe cleaner, while tile can handle a more robust solution.
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For hardwood, apply a protective coating to safeguard against moisture during winter months when tracked-in snow or rain can cause damage.
Kitchen Refresh
The kitchen often becomes the heart of the home during the fall, especially with the holiday season around the corner. Preparing it now will save you stress later.
1. Clean Appliances
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Refrigerator: Empty your fridge, wiping down shelves, drawers, and walls. Toss expired or old food and reorganize to make space for hearty fall foods. Consider using drawer organizers to keep things tidy.
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Oven and stovetop: Clean the oven to remove any lingering grime from summer barbecues. You’ll be thankful when it’s time to start baking holiday treats. Don’t forget to clean the stove’s drip pans or grates, too.
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Microwave: Wipe down the inside of your microwave, focusing on any splatters or stains. Heat a bowl of water and lemon juice in the microwave for a few minutes to loosen food particles, making it easier to wipe clean.
2. Organize Pantry and Cabinets
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Declutter your pantry by removing expired items and reorganizing shelves. Group similar items together—baking supplies, canned goods, and snacks—so you can easily find what you need.
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Wipe down cabinet doors and shelves, clearing away dust, spills, and crumbs that may have built up. If your cabinets are particularly cluttered, consider adding shelf risers or pull-out baskets to maximize space.
Seasonal Bedding and Linens
As temperatures drop, you’ll want to transition to warmer bedding and linens. Fall cleaning is a great time to swap out lighter fabrics for cozy, heavier options.
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Wash and store summer linens: Clean your lightweight sheets and blankets before storing them. Make sure they’re completely dry to avoid mildew. If space allows, use vacuum-sealed bags for easy storage.
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Bring out heavier bedding: Replace summer sheets with flannel or fleece options, and swap lightweight comforters for down or wool blankets. This is also a good time to inspect your mattress and consider flipping or rotating it for even wear.
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Freshen up pillows and throws: Launder or replace throw pillows, blankets, and other cozy accessories that you’ll be using more frequently in the colder months. You can also add a few seasonal throw pillows to give your space an autumnal vibe.
Exterior Maintenance
Don’t forget about the outside of your home during your fall cleaning. Preparing your yard and exterior now will help prevent headaches when the weather worsens.
1. Clean Gutters
Falling leaves and debris can quickly clog gutters, leading to drainage problems during rainy or snowy weather. Cleaning them out before fall is essential to prevent damage to your home’s foundation and roof.
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Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. If you have a lot of trees near your home, consider installing gutter guards to make the job easier next year.
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Inspect for damage and repair any loose or broken sections. Check for leaks or signs of rust, which can lead to more extensive damage if left unchecked.
2. Outdoor Furniture and Equipment
As you wind down your outdoor living, make sure your patio or yard is ready for the change in seasons.
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Clean and store outdoor furniture to protect it from weather damage. If you have space, store it in a garage or shed. If not, invest in covers to protect it during fall and winter.
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Clean and store grills, hoses, and lawn equipment to keep them in good condition for next year. Drain any water from hoses and sprinklers to avoid freezing during the winter months.
Final Touches: Scent and Ambiance
With your home sparkling clean and ready for fall, it’s time to set the mood. Fall is all about warmth and comfort, so think about incorporating elements that make your space feel inviting.
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Add seasonal scents: Candles, diffusers, or simmer pots filled with cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel can bring the warm, cozy scent of fall into your home.
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Layer with texture: Now’s the time to add extra throws, textured pillows, and cozy rugs to create a soft, inviting atmosphere. Consider incorporating rich fall colors like burnt orange, deep red, or mustard yellow to give your home an autumnal vibe.
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Lighting: With shorter days, add warm, ambient lighting like lamps or string lights to make your home feel cozy as the sun sets earlier. You can even swap out light bulbs for softer, warmer tones to enhance the cozy feeling.