September 20, 2022

Fall is just about here, which means it’s time to begin completing special tasks around your personal or rental homes that you may have slacked on during the busy summer. Luckily, the heat of the summer is on its way out and the weather is still mild enough to be outdoors to make sure everything is ready for cold weather. 

Due to the only slightly cooler weather we recommend taking on those indoor chores first and then wait until the weather becomes even cooler before moving outdoors. Below is a list of areas and items in your home you should clean, repair, or inspect to prepare for the season! 

The Ultimate Fall Cleaning Checklist:

Entryway

• Sweep and mop floors
• Clean doormat
• Put away summer accessories
• Organize shoes
• Hang up fall jackets
• Hang up fall hats or scarves

Kitchen

• Clean stovetop
• Clean oven
• Clean microwave
• Clean dishwasher
• Clean refrigerator and freezer
• Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer
• Clear countertops (try these tricks)
• Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash
• Dust top of high surfaces including fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets
• Sweep and mop floors
• Wash kitchen rugs
• Clean garbage disposal

Dining Room

• Dust and polish furniture
• Vacuum and spot clean chair cushions
• Clean or vacuum curtains
• Mop or vacuum floor
• Shampoo rugs or carpet
• Polish any silver dinnerware

Bathroom

• Discard expired personal care products and makeup
• Clean makeup brushes
• Wipe down vanity
• Clean mirror
• Clean tub and shower
• Clean showerhead (try this plastic bag trick)
• Wash shower curtain and replace liner
• Scrub tile grout (this product works)
• Clean toilet
• Clean hardware
• Sweep and mop floors
• Stock up on extra toiletries for holiday guests

Laundry Room

• Clean washing machine
• Clean dryer vent
• Organize laundry supplies
• Sweep and mop floors

Closets

• Store or donate outgrown clothes
• Wipe down shelves
• Bring cool weather clothes out of storage
• Put summer clothes away

Bedrooms

• Dust and polish furniture
• Wash bedding including sheets, pillows, duvets and bed skirts
• Put away light summer bedding and bring warmer linens out of storage
• Vacuum carpets (deodorize with baking soda first)
• Flip mattress
• Clean or vacuum curtains
• Mop or vacuum floors
• Shampoo rugs or carpets

Living Room

• Dust and polish furniture
• Wash blankets and pillow covers
• Vacuum upholstered furniture—check out why our editors love this Dyson vacuum
• Clean or vacuum curtains
• Dust and clean lamp shades
• Dust electronics
• Dust and clean decor
• Switch out seasonal decor, if needed
• Sanitize remote controls
• Mop or vacuum floors (don’t forget under the furniture!)
• Shampoo rugs or carpets
• Sweep out the fireplace
• Have fireplace inspected by professional

Office

• Recycle or shred unneeded paperwork
• File important paperwork
• Dust and polish furniture
• Dust electronics
• Sanitize keyboard and mouse

Throughout the House

• Dust ceiling fans
• Wipe down baseboards
• Wipe down doors and walls
• Vacuum air vents
• Change furnace filter
• Sanitize door handles and light switches
• Dust blinds
• Dust curtain rods
• Clean windows

Outdoors

• Replace screens with storm windows
• Check for cracks in siding and for window drafts, plug with caulk or weather stripping
• Turn off all outdoor faucets and coil garden hoses
• Put patio furniture in storage
• Stack and cover firewood
• Check bulbs in outdoor light fixtures
• Wash outside of windows
• Rake leaves
• Clean gutters
• Prune back shrubs
• Pressure wash driveway and walkways