Last Updated on November 3, 2023 by karenpadgett25
Fall is a great time of year for cleaning and organizing because the weather is cooler and you can start to prepare your home for winter. There is nothing like opening up the windows when the weather cools off and airing out the house after a long, hot Summer. Plus you will want your house in tip-top shape with all the holiday entertaining coming up.
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Here are 20 tips for fall cleaning and organizing:
1. De-clutter
Get rid of anything you don’t need or use anymore. Fall is a wonderful time to de-clutter. Anything you haven’t used in the last couple of years or don’t want you should get rid of.
Remember, don’t throw these items away. You should either donate to your local Goodwill, charity or sell them at a yard sale. ( a great way to make some extra cash with Christmas just around the corner) I usually check out Amazon.com to get my Yard Sale Supplies
15 Benefits of Clutter-Free Living
2. Use storage containers and baskets to organize your belongings.
This will help you find what you need quickly and keep your home looking neat and tidy. Use labels to identify each container and basket. This will help you remember what’s inside each one.
3. Air out your home
By opening all the windows and doors for a few minutes each day. This will help get rid of any stale air or unpleasant smells. When the house has been closed up during Summer, there may be a build up of pollutants so you want to open those windows to let fresh air flow in and toxins flow out.
4. Clean and organize your cabinets and pantry
Group like items together and put them in alphabetical order. Re-organize and clean pantry shelves and cabinets and replace any contact paper in the drawers. Consider adding cabinet organizers to help keep things in the right place. Throw out any expired food and take unwanted items to food bank.
5. Declutter your kitchen counters.
Get rid of any unnecessary clutter, organize and put all of your kitchen gadgets away in their proper places.
6. Re-organize fridge and freezer.
Throw out any expired food. Wipe down shelves and replace old baking soda boxes with new ones. Consider adding stackable organizer bins to keep things in order.
7. Inspect your appliances
Check your appliances for any signs of damage or wear and tear and have them repaired if necessary.
8. Clean your windows, sills and doors
Use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to clean them streak-free. Clean your windows and doors to let in more light and improve air circulation.
9. Clear out your closets.
Get rid of any clothes or accessories that you don’t wear anymore. Invest in some quality storage solutions like shelves, drawers and cabinets. This will help you maximize space in your home and keep everything neatly organized.
10. Dust your ceiling fans and light fixtures.
Use a duster or a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment to remove the dust. Clean ceiling fans and globes. Replace non-working bulbs and broken globes with matching ones. I find that this is a great time to upgrade my light bulbs to LED light bulbs. It may be a little more expensive using the LED bulbs but this will help reduce your energy bills over time.
11. Wash your curtains and blinds.
Take down all curtains/drapes and have cleaned. Remove them from the window and wash them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle or have dry-cleaned. Clean/replace window blinds.
12.Clean/replace shower curtains and liners.
Clean your shower curtain and liner, if possible or replace.
13. Replace filters in ac vents.
You should replace your ac filters every 30-60 days. Fall is a great time to accomplish that task.
There are many reasons to replace your air filters in your home, but here are just a few:
Replacing your air filters can help improve your home’s air quality, energy efficiency and comfort level.
So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your home this fall, don’t forget to replace your air filters!
14. Replace batteries in smoke detectors-
It’s a good idea to replace your smoke detector batteries at least once a year. You may want to do it more often if the detector is in a particularly dusty or high-traffic area.
Replacing your batteries regularly will help ensure that your smoke detector is always working properly and will help minimize the risk of a fire in your home.
Fall is s a great time to stock up on batteries for the holidays and winter months.
15. Clean the exterior
Fall is a great time to clean the exterior of your house.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Start by cleaning the windows and window frames. Use a mixture of warm water and dish soap to clean them, then rinse with a hose.
2. Next, clean the siding. Mix a bucket of warm water with one cup of bleach and one cup of laundry detergent. (You can also purchase siding cleaners on Amazon) Scrub the siding with a brush, then rinse with a hose. You can also user a pressure washer but only use low-pressure water flow to prevent chipping off any paint.
3. Clean the porch and deck. Mix one gallon of hot water with one cup of bleach. Scrub the porch and deck with a brush, then rinse with a hose. You can also user a pressure washer but only use low-pressure water flow to prevent chipping off any paint.
4. Clean the eaves and gutters. Remove any debris from the eaves and gutters, then use a hose to flush them clean.
5. Finally, sweep and mop the driveway and sidewalks.
16.Wash or replace Welcome Mats
Replace your welcome mats during the fall. This will help keep your home clean during the winter months.
17. Clean all baseboards
Baseboards are often forgotten about but they can be easily cleaned with a little bit of effort.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Remove any dust or dirt from the baseboards with a duster or vacuum cleaner.
2. If the baseboards are dirty or stained, use a mixture of warm water and dish soap to clean them.
3. Rinse the baseboards with a hose to remove any soap residue.
4. To prevent dust and dirt from building up on the baseboards, consider using a baseboard guard.
5. Finally, sweep and mop the floor in the area near the baseboards.
18.Clean the walls
Remove pictures/wall décor and wash down all walls. Interior walls are often neglected during fall cleaning, but they can be a real pain to clean if not done correctly.
Here are a few tips for cleaning your interior walls during the fall:
1. Vacuum the walls first to remove any loose dust or dirt.
2. If there is any grease or oil on the walls, use a degreaser to remove it.
3. Use a mild detergent and water to clean the walls, making sure to rinse well afterwards.
4. Dry the walls with a soft cloth to avoid streaks.
5. If you notice any areas that need further attention, use a paintbrush or a toothbrush to scrub them clean.
19 . Mop all the floors in your home
When it comes to fall cleaning, don’t forget to give your floors a good scrub! Here are a few tips for mopping your floors:
– Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove any large debris.
– Fill a bucket with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap.
– Dip your mop in the bucket and start mopping.
– Make sure to mop in all directions, and go over the same areas more than once if needed.
– Rinse the mop in the bucket frequently to avoid spreading dirt and soap residue around.
– When you’re finished, empty the bucket and give the floor a final sweep or vacuum.
20.Shampoo your furniture and carpets.
Shampooing your furniture and carpets is a great way to get them clean and fresh for fall. This is important to remove any dust or dirt that has built up over the summer.
Here are a few tips to help you get the job done:
1. Make sure you have the right supplies. In addition to shampoo, you’ll need a bucket, water, rags, and a vacuum cleaner.
2. Start with the furniture. Shampoo the cushions and fabric covers, then move on to the frames and legs.
3. Work in sections. It’s easier to manage if you shampoo one area at a time.
4. Use enough shampoo. You don’t want to skimp on the shampoo, or it won’t be effective.
5. Let it soak in. Give the shampoo a few minutes to soak in before rinsing it off.
6. Use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to remove any excess water.
7. Let the furniture dry completely before putting it back in place.
8. Vacuum the carpets before you start shampooing them. This will help remove any dirt or debris that might get in the way.
9. Start in one corner and work your way across the carpet. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
10. Use enough shampoo . You don’t want to use too much or it will take forever to rinse off . Just a little bit will do the trick .
11 . Use a carpet shampooer. You can easily purchase one on Amazon.
12 . Let the carpets dry completely before walking on them (or inviting guests over)
And if you find this overwhelming you can easily hire a company to do this dirty work.
Conclusion:
Fall is a great time to clean your house from top to bottom! Not only will it make your home look and feel cleaner, but it will also help get you organized for the winter season. Check off a few items at a time and before you know it, your house will be in tip top shape.
