The Ultimate Fall Cleaning Checklist

7 Tips To Get Your Home Sparkling Clean Before Winter

When the first crisp hints of fall are in the air, there’s only one thing to do: sit down and create your first fall cleaning checklist of the year! It’s crucial to both clear out the remnants of spring and summer, and get ready for a new season. Plus, it’s important to prepare your home for the coming winter and the looming colder months.

Here is the ultimate fall cleaning checklist, to get you prepped and ready for the weather changes ahead.

1) Deep-Clean Your Pantry

Our pantries tend to accumulate a lot of stuff that often goes unused. Not to mention that, before cold weather season hits, you may need to make room in your pantry for all your fall and winter food staples.

Start by simply removing all the items from your pantry. Next, wipe down your shelves, taking care to get rid of any crumbs or dust that may be hiding in the back. Inspect each item, and if it’s gone unused for months or is long past expired, it’s time to get rid of it!

But, don’t just throw items away, unless they’ve gone bad, of course. Instead, box up the pantry items you’re not using and take them to a local shelter or soup kitchen.

2) Wash Your Windows

Have you neglected your windows all summer? That’s what we thought! Take a few minutes to clean your windows, before the wintry weather comes.

First, if your windows are pretty dirty, start by dusting or vacuuming up any debris. Next, round up glass cleaner or a simple squirt of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle filled with water, then wipe down your glass panes with a microfiber cloth or cloud.

Pro-Tip: try to do this on a gray, cloudy day so that you’re better able to see any streaks.

3) Clean Out Your Gutters

Clogged gutters are a serious no-no. This is because your roof’s drainage system depends on workable gutters – and, if your gutters get too clogged, not only will this system be able to work smoothly, you could also be looking at serious structural damage.

Clogged gutters can lead to all sorts of issues, namely damaged surfaces and water in your basement. There’s no better time than right before winter hits to ensure that your gutters are free of debris and dirt! And, this isn’t hard to do – simply get a ladder and start removing chunks of debris, or use a leaf blower to clear everything out. You could even hire a professional gutter cleaning company, if need be.

Whatever method you decide to employ for cleaning out your gutters, it’s important to do so before rust or corrosion sets in – or before serious damage occurs. And while we’re on the subject of roof maintenance…

4) Repair and Maintain Your Roof

Now would be the time to get a professional roof inspection done, before the icy weather sets in!

You could also do a self-inspection, to check for any leaks or other issues. Simply go out and inspect your roof from top to bottom, using binoculars if necessary. Check for cracks and wind damage in your shingles, be sure to take note of any missing or damaged shingles.

Doing this, in addition to making sure your gutters are clean, will help stave off any issues that could crop up in fall or winter.

5) Prep Your Heavier Linens

Now that the leaves are turning and cooler temps have taken over, it’s time to get your winter linens out of storage and ready for regular use!

If you have heavier duvets, wool blankets, and flannel sheets stored away, bring them out of your closet and give them a nice, deep clean before using. We love spritzing freshly washed linens with lavender spray, or another smell-good essential oil. And, as you’re preparing to set out new linens, this is a great time to flip your mattresses!

Once you’ve done so, sprinkle the mattress with baking soda and vacuum it up – this will effectively help to get rid of any odors that may be lingering.

6) Fertilize Your Lawn

It’s always a good idea to fertilize your lawn in the fall, since this will help protect it over the harsh winter.

Particularly if you live in a hot, dry climate, fertilizing your lawn in the fall is crucial. This is because grass tends to stop growing under these conditions, so it’s important to take precautions. By injecting your lawn with fertilizer before winter hits, you’ll be guaranteed to have a healthy-looking lawn in the springtime.

7) Invest in a Carpet Cleaning Service

Now’s the time to give your carpet a good scrub! It’s worth it to splurge on a professional carpet cleaning service at least once per year, but you could also shampoo or steam clean your carpet yourself.

And, while you’re tackling your floors, it’s always a good idea to take this time to vacuum all your sofas, chairs, and other large pieces of furniture. Make sure to thoroughly clean all sides of your cushions, and the backs and sides of your furniture.

How do you prep your home for fall? Give us your best cleaning tips in the comments below!

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