Fall is in full swing, and now that Daylight Savings has set in again it will begin to get dark very early. While we love the fall here at Corken and Company we also know that the weather and the darker evenings mean most people will be staying at home more frequently. It is important to have an organized and clean home to make the fall more enjoyable!
Indoor Fall Cleaning:
Due to the cold temperatures and harsh winds that come with autumn, it’s most important that you focus your fall cleaning efforts on your home’s interior. While the thought of cleaning your entire indoor living space can seem like a tremendous feat, there are ways you can make it easier. Rather than tackling your whole interior at once, fall cleaning is less overwhelming if you attack it room by room.
Kitchen
- Clean your grout
- Wash the walls
- Do a deep refrigerator clean
- Get rid of odors
- Sweep and mop under your refrigerator
- Vacuum your refrigerator coils
- Clean your stove and oven
- Disinfect your garbage cans
- Clean appliances: toaster, microwave, blender
- Clear out pantry and organize
Living Room:
- Declutter
- Clean your window treatments
- Wipe down windows
- Wash the walls
- Dust and clean framed art and photos
- Dust and wash ceiling fan
- Vacuum out couches and chairs
- Condition leather furniture
- Shampoo carpets or rugs
Dining Room:
- Wipe down table and chairs
- Dust chairs with vacuum attachment
- Wash window treatments
- Wipe down windows
- Clean walls and corners
- Wash your tablecloth
- Wash placemats
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Shampoo the carpet or rugs
Bedroom:
- Wash your bedding
- Buy new pillows
- Flip or rotate the mattress
- Organize your closet
- Organize your drawers
- Vacuum and dust under furniture
- Dust headboard, side tables, dresser, desk
- Dust curtains and light fixtures
Bathroom:
- Scrub the grout
- Wash the shower curtain
- Unclog shower head and drains
- Disinfect the sink and toilet
- Clean and disinfect the toilet brush
- Wash the floor
- Soak bathroom fan grille
- Scrub the shower or tub
- Organize towels, etc.
Outdoor Fall Cleaning:
As important as it is to deep clean the interior of your home, outdoor chores are essential for preventing damage to your house and harm to your family. So even though you may feel a bit exhausted after dealing with the rooms of your home, it’s time to turn your attention to the outside.
While there are many fall cleaning services that can help you with the seasonal maintenance for your home, most of these tasks can be done by yourself. Just make sure you get up the energy to do them before it gets too cold outside because crossing these outdoor tasks off your fall cleaning checklist is a must. Another benefit to getting your fall cleaning done now is that it will save a lot of time and effort when the spring rolls around!
Yard:
- Rake leaves
- Dethatch
- Fertilize and weed
- Overseed and mulch
- Prep your patio for winter
- Stack firewood
House Exterior:
While most of your holidays will be spent indoors with family and loved ones, it’s still important to impress your guests with a spotless exterior. When cleaning the outside of your home, follow this list to satisfy your visitors.
- Wash the windows
- Winterize windows with caulk
- Clean debris and leaves from gutter
- Seal gaps to prevent critters
- Store garden hose
- Shut off sprinkler system
Fall General Maintenance
- Replace your HVAC filter
- Service your air conditioner
- Clean your chimney
- Clean dryer vent
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
We hope this checklist helps you get ready for all the joys of the fall season!