Changing weather = changing your cleaning routine.
Fall is a great season to embrace change and create a new cleaning routine. With cooler weather, we spend more time indoors which can lead to more mess, stress, and odors inside the home. With the holidays around the corner, it's an ideal time to clean and organize before throwing parties and entertaining guests.
This room-by-room fall cleaning checklist will help you tackle seasonal chores and outdoor clean-up first, before the weather gets too cold.
So break out your coziest sweater and decorative pumpkins. It's time to get started with our simple step-by-step guide to fall cleaning.
Fall Cleaning Tasks
- Change air filters in HVAC systems
- Change smoke detector batteries
- Vacuum and clean vents and registers
- Dust and clean ceiling fans
- Check and replace weather stripping
- Wash and refresh stored clothing
- Dust and refresh stored decorations
- Clean and store summer clothing
- Clean and inspect fireplace or chimney
Outdoor Tasks
Pro tip: Start with outdoor cleaning tasks so you can get them all done before the weather gets cold!
- Clean and store outdoor furniture
- Rake leaves
- Clear debris from the yard
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Seal windows and doors for drafts
- Sweep and clean outdoor entryways
- Store summer gear and equipment
- Clean outdoor light fixtures
- Pressure-wash exterior surfaces if needed
Kitchen and Dining Area
Get prepped for holiday meals and parties by deep cleaning your kitchen at the beginning of the season. And when you're done? You deserve a little treat.
- Clean countertops
- Wipe down cabinets and drawers
- Clean sink and faucet
- Stove: clean top, front, and inside
- Oven: clean inside and outside
- Microwave: clean inside and outside
- Refrigerator: clean outside and inside
- Dishwasher: clean outside and inside
- Clean pantry; throw out expired items
- Organize cabinets and drawers
- Empty and clean trash and recycling bins
- Sweep and mop floor
Living Room
Is there any better feeling than a clean living room to hang out in? Throw in some festive fall decorations and what more could you want?
- Dust surfaces (tables, shelves, etc)
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Clean windowsills
- Dust and clean blinds or curtains
- Wipe down light fixtures
- Clean baseboards
- Vacuum and clean upholstery (sofas, chairs)
- Clean and deodorize pet bedding
- Refresh couches with a Fabric Spray
- Dust and clean electronics
- Fluff and arrange couch cushions
- Dust decorations
Bedrooms
The beginning of autumn is the perfect time to refresh your bedroom, swapping out summer bedding for warmer blankets and duvets.
- Rotate and flip mattresses
- Vacuum and rotate area rugs
- Dust and wipe down surfaces
- Launder and change bedding
- Declutter and organize closet
Home Office
It can be hard to focus in an unorganized room. When you tidy your office, you not only give yourself a clear space but also a clear state of mind.
- Dust and clean computer equipment
- Organize cables and cords
- Disinfect keyboard and mouse
- Wipe down desk and office surface
- Clean and organize office supplies
Bathroom
You probably already clean your bathroom regularly. The changing seasons are a great reminder to tackle those chores you might do less often, like cleaning your baseboards.
- Clean toilets (including bowl, seat, and base)
- Scrub shower/tub (including tiles, grout, and showerhead)
- Clean sink and faucet
- Wipe down mirrors
- Sweep and mop floor
- Check and clean exhaust fan
- Clean walls and baseboards
- Empty and clean trash can
- Change towels
- Clean shower curtain
- Launder and deodorize bathmats
- Organize toiletries
- Replenish odor removers
Final Refresh
The final touches will make your home feel clean and cozy for the fall season. Create a fresh-smelling space with Fresh Wave, and then sit back and relax.
- Clean windows and window tracks
- Clean door knobs and switch plates
- Deodorize carpets and rugs
- Deodorize shoes and closets
- Refresh rooms with an Air Spray
- Sit back and relax
Freshen up for fall with this free, printable download.
We hope you found this fall cleaning checklist to be helpful! You can download it as a pdf here and print it out. That way, you can mark off each task as you complete it. Look at you go! You're already well on your way to a fresh, inviting home this fall.
You can also bookmark this blog and come back any time you need tips and inspiration on how to freshen up with Fresh Wave.
