We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but how about fall cleaning? Deep cleaning at least twice a year can help keep your home in smooth working order. These are some of the items you can check off your list to ensure your home is a healthy and inviting place to be over the coming months — the ultimate fall cleaning checklist.
Throughout the House
- Dust and reverse ceiling fans (fans that operate clockwise better circulate heated air)
- Dust light fixtures
- 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
- Change smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries
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, including condenser coil
- Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer
- Clear countertops
- Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash
- Dust top of fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets
- Sweep and mop floors
- Wash 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
Living Room
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wash blankets and pillow covers
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- 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, including under furniture (since this is a deep clean!)
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
- Sweep out the fireplace
- Have fireplace inspected by a professional; this is important before cold weather use!
Laundry Room
- Clean washing machine (top-loading vs. front-loading)
- Clean dryer vent
- Organize laundry supplies
- Sweep and mop floors
Bedrooms
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wash bedding
- Put away summer bedding and bring warmer bedding out of storage
- Vacuum carpets
- Flip mattress
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Mop or vacuum floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
Bathrooms
- Discard expired personal care products and makeup
- Clean makeup brushes
- Wipe down counters
- Clean mirror
- Clean tub and shower
- Clean showerhead
- Wash shower curtain and replace liner
- Scrub tile grout
- Clean toilet
- Clean hardware
- Sweep and mop floors
- Stock up on extra toiletries for seasonal guests
Closets
- Store or donate outgrown or unused clothes
- Wipe down shelves
- Bring fall/winter weather clothes out of storage
- Put summer clothes away
Office
- Recycle or shred unneeded paperwork
- File important paperwork
- Dust and polish furniture
- Dust electronics
- Sanitize keyboard and mouse
Exterior
- Replace screens with storm windows as desired
- Check for cracks in siding and for window drafts, plug with caulk or weather stripping (see our tips for winterizing your home here!)
- Turn off all outdoor faucets and coil garden hoses before the temperatures dip to below freezing
- Service and store gardening equipment
- Clean and store patio furniture
- Stack and cover firewood
- Check bulbs in outdoor light fixtures
- Wash outside of windows
- Rake leaves
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Winterize outdoor pools and water features
- Prune shrubs
- Pressure wash driveway and any walkways
