Photo by: Ed Schipul (Flickr)

The days are getting shorter, leaves are changing color, and the familiar crisp, cold air can only mean one thing, fall is here. My summers are always filled with fun activities and vacations that leave the house disorganized and a little neglected. Somehow summer always finds a way for me to make excuses to put off the tedious job of dusting light bulbs or changing filters. Cleaning and preparing the house before winter’s nasty weather blows in has to be done, and fall is the perfect season to do it while the weather is still nice. Knowing what to do and having a list to go off can help you get it done and get it done right.

Outside the House

Winter brings unpredictable weather. If you live in a city where it snows, this means preparing your house before it is too late. There are a few things you should check or keep up on the maintenance every year so you aren’t paying extra with high utility bills. Always check all your doors to ensure they are sealed correctly and efficiently. Weather-strips work wonders for keeping cold air from creaking through small cracks around doors. Caulking windows and vents will also keep out the unwanted air. Pressure-wash the driveway and scrub the windows, before it is too cold for you to use the hose.

• Bring outside furniture in
• Scrub the windows
• Pressure-wash the driveway
• Change the oil in the lawnmower
• Drain garden hoses and wrap them up for storage
• Clean outside vents
• Caulk Windows
• Weather-strip doors
• Repaint any worn or chipped areas
• Clean and maintain gutters
• Have the chimneys inspected and cleaned if necessary
• Clean out garage
• Prepare garden and trim plants

Inside the House, Many people think of spring as the one time you deep clean your house, but fall is the perfect time to do those odd jobs again or several extra ones before it gets cold. The one thing you will find repeated on my list is dusting, so grab out your rag and gets ready to dust, dust, and dust some more. Dust the top of your kitchen cabinets, the doors, and refrigerator, behind the oven and laundry machines, light bulbs, light fixtures, vents, and blinds. Scrub the walls, doors, cabinets, and knobs. With the help of a friend or family member, you should be able to finish cleaning from the top of the closet to under the stove in just two or three days.

• Vacuum under large pieces of furniture
• Dust light bulbs
• Clean light fixtures and doorknobs
• Organize pantry
• Replace vacuum filter
• Clean behind washer and dryer
• Check heating system and change filters
• Scrub walls and dust trim
• Rotate mattress
• Wash curtains
• Dust blinds
• Replace shower curtain
• Polish silverware
• Dust above doors
• Scrub under the oven
• Wash above, under, and behind the refrigerator
• Oil, dust, and shine furniture
• Wipe down switches

Additional Resources

• Fall Cleaning Checklist – This handy checklist makes it easy to read through fall chores and place a checkmark next to each completed job. For a basic list, this is a great one to get started.
• Basic Fall Cleaning – With great tips and a chore list, you can complete these chores in just two or three days before the cold freezes your home.
• Clean the Gutters – Fall is the most popular time to clean out those gutters with the constant leaves blowing into them. This article offers several great tips for maintaining your gutters and keeping them clean.
• Tips for Cleaning Windows – Outside windows can be a challenge to clean with high and awkward spots to reach. Read some great advice to get your windows sparkling again and even some recipes for the homemade window cleaner.
• Rotating Chores – Cleaning can get overwhelming fast, but rotating chores throughout the year can make it easy to keep up on your home and have the big and little things always maintained. This article offers great advice on tackling jobs and what chores to do in the fall.
• Make your own Cleaning Products – While you are busy scrubbing everything, try out some recipes to make your own cleaning products and save a few dollars. This post has a recipe for glass cleaner, drain opener, and basic household cleaner.