As you enjoy your pumpkin-spiced coffee drinks, the vibrant colors, and the crisp fall weather, you might want to consider doing some autumn cleaning and decluttering as well. Spending a few hours preparing your home and yard now will give you and your family a more cozy and comfortable environment to enjoy throughout the holidays. Before the colder winter months arrive, follow this fall cleanup checklist to make sure that your home is tidy, organized, and beautifully decorated for the rest of 2020!
Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the most-used rooms in your home, but it can easily be overlooked in your regular cleaning routine. If it has been a while since you last scrubbed out toothpaste from your sink or cleaned the mirrors, now is the time to do so. Turn on some music, open the windows to air out the smell of the cleaning products, and get to work!
- Treat any mold or mildew in the shower.
- Deep clean the shower head.
- Throw out expired products and clean the inside of your cabinets.
- Wash your shower curtain and rugs.
- Clean or replace the shower curtain liner.
- Sanitize the doorknob, light switch, and all other fixtures.
- Replace everyone’s toothbrush.
- Use cute baskets or hanging organizers to store everything neatly.
- Scrub around the toilet.
Bedrooms & Closets
Your bedroom is supposed to be a calming sanctuary, but too often, it can become so cluttered that it stresses you out instead of relaxes you. If you’re not even sure where to begin cleaning, look at your floor. For example, if you’re prone to trying on several outfits in the morning and discarding clothes on the floor or a spare chair instead of hanging them back up, start by picking up your clothing. Dividing your messy bedroom into smaller tasks (cleaning the floor, organizing the closet, cleaning out your dresser, etc.) will make it seem far less overwhelming.
- Wash all of your bedding, including your sheets, extra blankets, and comforter.
- Buy new pillows if yours have lost their shape.
- Dust your blinds
- Wash the windows.
- Wash the curtains.
- Flip your mattress.
- Declutter the top of your nightstand, your dresser, or other furniture.
- Swap out your cool summer bedding for warmer fall blankets.
- Determine if you could donate any of your summer clothes or shoes that you didn’t wear this year.
- Vacuum the bedroom floor and inside your closet.
Kitchen
With the holidays approaching, you want to make sure your kitchen is prepared to handle the upcoming baking season! Before you begin this portion of your fall cleanup, you might find it helpful to jot down a list of foods or treats you want to make in the coming months so you can make sure you have all the necessary items stocked up and ready to go (just be sure to check the expiration dates!).
- Clean your refrigerator coils.
- Clean the tops of your kitchen cabinets.
- Spray down all your copper appliances with clear coat sealant
- Throw out any expired food in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.
- Deep clean the inside of your dishwasher.
- Organize any clutter beneath your sink and throw out expired products.
- Deep clean the inside and outside of the microwave.
- Wash and sanitize the trash can.
- Clean your oven.
- Clean beneath the refrigerator.
Living Room
It doesn’t take much to make your living room look more welcoming and comfortable than disheveled and cluttered. Start by picking up any stray kids’ toys, cleaning the windows, and swapping out summer decor for fall-themed items.
- Recycle or toss any junk mail, old magazines, or other miscellaneous papers.
- Dust your walls and baseboards.
- Dust off your ceiling fan.
- Vacuum carpet and rugs.
- Vacuum your furniture.
- Sweep or vacuum underneath your furniture.
- Dust the blinds.
- Wipe down the TV screen.
- Sanitize remote controls.
- Wash all blankets and throw pillows.
Outdoors
When it comes to fall cleanup, you won't want to procrastinate on cleaning up your yard and patio. The last thing you want is for your new deck furniture to be ruined by the first snowfall!
- Wash exterior windows.
- Power wash siding, driveway, and deck.
- Wash patio furniture and neatly store it away.
- Clean your grill.
- Remove leaves and debris from the gutters.
- Rake up the leaves in your yard.