The bottom line when it comes to fall cleaning it is a process of cleaning in places you do not ordinarily clean on your regular cleaning schedule then you add cleaning heaters, changing filters, and weatherization techniques to brace for the winter. Fall and Spring deep cleaning helps to keep your home free of allergens and insects, keeps the air in your home cleaner which makes for a happier, and healthier you. Watch our featured video: Fall Home Maintenance Checklist below. Preparing your home for the upcoming cold.
List of Basic Fall Cleaning Chores
Baseboards
Vaccum, dust, and wash all baseboards in your home.
Cabinets
Empty and wash out all cabinets (kitchen, bathroom, tv cabinets, etc.)
Closets
Empty, sort, and decide. Keep only winter apparel in your closets during cold months. If you have things in your closet you have not used in the past six months to a year, you may wish to consider donating them or storing them for a rummage sale in the Spring. (See How to Clean Your Closet)
Clothing
Sort through clothing, decide what you want to or can get rid of (donate or store for rummage sale) and what you want to keep. Store all Spring and Summer clothing that you plan to keep in air tight containers.
Change Fire Alarm Batteries
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least twice a year. Spring and Fall are perfect times to change them as you can put them on your chores lists so it will be easier to remember.
Gutters
If you have gutters you know that they get full of debri, leaves, etc. and need to be cleaned at the very least once a year before winter. If you allow the leaves and debri to sit in the gutters over the winter months they will most likely rust, and will certainly restrict water flow when it rains or snow melts which can cause damage to the eaves and siding on your home.
Garage
This is the big one. Organize your garage so that you can manuever easily around it. Clean and sweep behind everything.
Store Lawn Furniture and Seasonal Items-Before storing lawn and seasonal items make sure that they are clean.
Bring Potted Plants indoors
Most potted plants cannot survive cold winters. If you live in a climate where cold is not an issue you can skip this one. If you live in a cold climate, it is a good idea to find a location inside your home or enclosed patio where your plants will get sufficient sunlight and warmth.
Shelves
Remove items from shelves then dust, wash and polish the shelves. Clean and organize items on your shelves.
Tools
Clean and organize tools. Check all tools to make sure they are in good working order. If the tools are broken or no longer work, put them in your scrap bin to take to the scrap yard at a later date. This can bring you some extra cash and reduce the amount of trash in landfills.
Weatherization
Check all windows and doors for cracks, loose or missing weather stripping, put draft blockers on doors and weather stripping on window seams and cracks between the wall and the frame. Wrap air conditioners, water spigots, water heaters, pull down ladders etc. with appropriate insulation.
Windows, Screens & Curtains
Wash and dry all windows and screens. Wash and dry all curtains. Clean or replace curtain rods as needed.
Vaccum, dust, and wash all baseboards in your home.
Cabinets
Empty and wash out all cabinets (kitchen, bathroom, tv cabinets, etc.)
Closets
Empty, sort, and decide. Keep only winter apparel in your closets during cold months. If you have things in your closet you have not used in the past six months to a year, you may wish to consider donating them or storing them for a rummage sale in the Spring. (See How to Clean Your Closet)
Clothing
Sort through clothing, decide what you want to or can get rid of (donate or store for rummage sale) and what you want to keep. Store all Spring and Summer clothing that you plan to keep in air tight containers.
Change Fire Alarm Batteries
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least twice a year. Spring and Fall are perfect times to change them as you can put them on your chores lists so it will be easier to remember.
Gutters
If you have gutters you know that they get full of debri, leaves, etc. and need to be cleaned at the very least once a year before winter. If you allow the leaves and debri to sit in the gutters over the winter months they will most likely rust, and will certainly restrict water flow when it rains or snow melts which can cause damage to the eaves and siding on your home.
Garage
This is the big one. Organize your garage so that you can manuever easily around it. Clean and sweep behind everything.
Store Lawn Furniture and Seasonal Items-Before storing lawn and seasonal items make sure that they are clean.
Bring Potted Plants indoors
Most potted plants cannot survive cold winters. If you live in a climate where cold is not an issue you can skip this one. If you live in a cold climate, it is a good idea to find a location inside your home or enclosed patio where your plants will get sufficient sunlight and warmth.
Shelves
Remove items from shelves then dust, wash and polish the shelves. Clean and organize items on your shelves.
Tools
Clean and organize tools. Check all tools to make sure they are in good working order. If the tools are broken or no longer work, put them in your scrap bin to take to the scrap yard at a later date. This can bring you some extra cash and reduce the amount of trash in landfills.
Weatherization
Check all windows and doors for cracks, loose or missing weather stripping, put draft blockers on doors and weather stripping on window seams and cracks between the wall and the frame. Wrap air conditioners, water spigots, water heaters, pull down ladders etc. with appropriate insulation.
Windows, Screens & Curtains
Wash and dry all windows and screens. Wash and dry all curtains. Clean or replace curtain rods as needed.
Featured Video: Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
As an Amazon Associate and a Google Adsense Associate. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. #ads, #CommissionsEarned
Terms of Use/Disclaimer
Contact Us: [email protected]
Terms of Use/Disclaimer
Contact Us: [email protected]
References: Fall Chore Checklist-Preparing your home for upcoming cold.(Oct. 6,2015). KGUN9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdD7eYFdDc0