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Why is it that we all hear about spring cleaning but very few talk about fall cleaning? In my opinion, fall cleaning is equally if not more important. During the spring and summer, we go in and out of the house a lot. We bring in grass and sand. Our windows are open and pollen gets in along with additional dust. As fall progresses, we get ready for several months of mostly indoor leaving. Therefore, having a clean and cozy space is so important. Here are my absolute, must-do in the fall to get my house ready for the colder months.
1. Clean windows
Every fall, I spend time cleaning our windows. It is important to not only clean the glass but also the screens and window tracks. There are a few methods you can use to clean the screens. The first option is to remove them from the window while the other is to clean them where they are. For first-level windows, I tend to leave them in because it’s easy to access both sides. However, it is easier to remove them when it comes to second-story windows.
I use the brush adapter from my vacuum and gently dust the screens. Then I will use warm soapy water and clean them with a washcloth.
I follow the same process for the window tracks. I first vacuum, then clean with warm soapy water.
For the actual glass, I make my cleaner which does an amazing job! I started making it a few years ago and will never go back to generic glass cleaners, which are often full of harsh substances.
Glass cleaner recipe
In a 16 ounces glass spray bottle add:
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- Fill remaining with water
- Optional: add 20-30 drops of essential oils to give a pleasant aroma
2. Curtains and blinds
Fall is a good time to clean your curtains and blinds. Many of us enjoy fresh air in our homes during the spring and summer months. As a result, pollen and dust accumulate inside including onto your window treatments. I will admit that this is not a small chore. Like most, I do not enjoy it at all. This is why I tend to make this a month-long project.
This is typically an October project for me. I will divide the number of items I have to clean and split it evenly throughout the month. You could even choose to pair it with window cleaning because it is easier to clean the windows when the blinds and curtains are removed.
3. Fireplace
Whether you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace, you should spend some time during the fall to get it ready for the winter months.
We have a gas fireplace. Every fall, we perform several maintenance and cleaning tasks. Make sure the fireplace is off, including the pilot.
- First, we open it up and vacuum the burners and logs that sit inside the fireplace,
- Second, clean any soot buildup you see on the thermocouple using steel wool.
- Lastly, we clean the glass using our homemade glass cleaner mentioned above.
We do not have a wood-burning fireplace. However, I found this helpful guide to getting your fireplace ready for fall and winter.
4. Air vents and filter
I will admit that I clean the air vents more regularly than just in the fall. However, I do it more thoroughly in the fall. Not only will I use the vacuum to remove accumulated dust, but I also use warm-soapy water to clean the vents that are dustier. As needed, I also recommend unscrewing wall air vent grills to vacuum on the inside.
It is also important to replace your air filter to ensure it is working optimally to keep dust from blowing into your home. As a tip, you can use google calendar to put a reminder for the next time the filter will need to be replaced. It is recommended to replace most filters every 90 days.
5. Pillow covers, comforters and other linens
We’ve already discussed cleaning the curtains above. Pillow covers, comforters, bed skirts, and other types of linens in your home also need to be cleaned a few times a year. I tend to replace pillow covers as I switch my seasonal decor. Therefore, I like to wash them when I get them out of storage.
I will also put the pillows in the dryer for about 30 minutes to get any dust out of them.
I like to clean comforters, bathroom rugs, and other linens about once a season. Fall is no exception, and I make sure to include their cleaning in my rotation.
6. Carpets and rugs
Rugs and carpets hide so much dirt. If you have ever used a carpet cleaner machine, you know what I’m talking about. Until you clean your carpet, you have no idea just how bad carpets can get. When my children were little we purchased a Bissell cleaning machine. They work very well, but I must admit I don’t use mine as much as I should.
I think the determination of how often you should clean your carpet depends on your family’s habits, and the traffic each carpet sees. As an example, we do not wear shoes upstairs in our home. Therefore, as long as we do regular vacuuming, I don’t think the carpet necessarily needs to be cleaned every fall.
I would follow the same rule for large area rugs. A rug where lots of traffic occurs or where things get dropped on a lot should be cleaned more regularly.
If you do not own a carper cleaning machine, you can look into hiring someone to clean your carpet or rent a machine for a day or weekend.
As for smaller area rugs, you might be able to put those in the washing machine. I started purchasing Ruggable rugs a few years ago. I have one 3X5 and one 2X3. I like the ability to clean them and also the option to change only the cover seasonally for a different look. I will admit they lose their shape a little once you wash them.
7. Declutter
This one is a little different but is a must on any fall cleaning list. Autumn is the perfect time to declutter. The holidays are approaching, and most of us will acquire more items during that time. Therefore, put some serious thought into what you need. You could host a yard sale to help you remove some items from your home, or you could simply donate them.
Here is a tip to make decluttering easier. Each month during fall, choose a theme. For example, declutter clothing, linens, sheets, and towels in September. Use the month of October to slim down your dishes collection and kitchen items. Lastly, sort through games, toys, and books in November and donate what you no longer need.
8. Ceiling fans
Are you one of those households where the ceiling fans are always on? If so, stop them and look at the amount of dust on them. You will be shocked and grossed out. But rest assured, we’ve all been there.
The best way I have found to clean ceiling fans is to use a ladder and vacuum cleaner with a long adapter brush. I gently vacuum the top of each paddle as well as the centerpiece where the motor is.
I like to do this several times a year. It is, however, always on my fall cleaning checklist.
9. Oven and behind/under appliances
When is the last time you pulled your stove forward? If it’s been a while or you can’t remember, I challenge you to do it this fall. You might be surprised at everything you find back there. The same goes for your refrigerator. Take a few minutes in the fall to pull those appliances forward, vacuum, and mop behind them. This way, you’ll ensure you don’t have a moldy piece of cheese hiding back there making your house smell weird.
As the weather gets colder, it is also a good idea to run the oven cleaning cycle. I like to do this on a cool day as it can heat up your house quite a bit.
If you have an older oven, or if your oven is extremely dirty you can purchase an oven cleaning spray. If you are using a cleaning spray, I would recommend cleaning it in the early fall. This way, you can have the windows open. The fumes produced by these products tend to be intense.
10. Throw away expired items
Each fall, you should take a moment to get rid of expired items. There are 3 main areas to review expired items.
- Pantry: Empty your pantry and review each expiration date. Throw away what is expired, donate unopened things that you know you will not eat, and include items about to expire in your next meal plan. Before you put everything back in, vacuum the floor and clean the shelves.
- Freezer: Empty your freezer and discard expired items. Clean each shelf before reorganizing the food inside. Make sure to include items about to expire into a meal soon.
- Medicine cabinet: Review the expiration of all medicines and safely discard expired medication.
I hate to throw away things. Therefore when I go through this process, I always spend time reflecting on everything I am throwing away. I look at what I could have done differently, and I put a plan in place to do better and live more sustainably.
In conclusion..
Do not underestimate fall cleaning. It is equally important as spring cleaning to keep your home clean and cozy. Lastly, remember that falls last 3 months. You do not need to stress and fit all of this into one weekend. Create a schedule and space out the tasks so that you are not overwhelmed.
Let me know what other cleaning tasks are on your list in the fall.
Thank you for reading.
Cat xx