Fall is one of our favorite times of year – it’s finally not too hot, but not too cold yet, football games are in full swing, and it’s about time for pumpkin pie and hot cocoa. Many of us are getting settled in for the season and awaiting the changing of leaves before the rush of the holidays. That makes now a great time for some deep cleaning around the house.
If you’re like us, it’s hard to remember the last time you swept behind the refrigerator (who even knows what could be hiding back there?!) or flipped the mattress on your bed. Here’s a fall cleaning checklist to help you keep track of some of those occasional chores, so you can tackle them this season.
Kitchen
- Scrub grout
- Dust refrigerator coils
- Sweep under/behind the fridge
- Clean the inside of the dishwasher
- Wipe down and condition wood cabinets
- Clean the oven
- Wash/disinfect the trash cans
- Seal/polish granite countertops
- Toss expired food from the pantry; donate other items
- Check spices for freshness
*Cleaning Tip: A stiff-bristled brush and some warm water may be all you need to remove the grime from your grout. For heavier dirt and mild stains, spray with equal parts vinegar and warm water for several minutes. If you need something a little stronger, apply a baking soda paste and spray with vinegar.
Bathrooms
- Scrub grout
- Clean and condition the cabinets
- Wash and disinfect the trash cans
- Seal/polish granite countertops
- Clean out drains
- Deep clean shower and shower head
Never cleaned your shower head? You’re not alone. Click here for some shower head cleaning tips from Real Simple.
Living Areas
- Dust fans
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- Vacuum under furniture
- Wash/replace artificial plants
- Dust living plants
- Wipe down screens (TV, computer, iPad, etc.)
- Clean keyboards and remotes
*Cleaning Tip: To dust your ceiling fan without making a mess, slip an old pillowcase over the fan blades and use the case to wipe the dust off the sides, top and bottom. This way all of the dust will fall into the pillowcase without going everywhere!
Bedrooms
- Refresh bedding
- Vacuum and flip the mattress
- Put cold-weather linens on beds
- Switch out seasonal clothes in closets/dressers
- Dust fans
All Around
- Wash walls
- Wash windows, window sills, and window screens
- Clean washer and dryer
- Clean doorknobs, doors, and light switches
- Spot clean carpets and rugs
- Clean under rugs
- Wash or dry clean curtains
- Clean baseboards
- Dust light bulbs and fixtures
*Cleaning tip: Rubber-edged squeegees are quicker and more effective than cloth or newspaper when cleaning glass. They come in a variety of sizes, and you can add an extension in order to reach those tricky high spots. This tool will definitely help you fly through your fall cleaning checklist!
General Maintenance
- Change HVAC air filter
- Replace fire alarm batteries
- Condition leather furniture
- Switch ceiling fans to circulate upward during cooler months
- Check and replace weather stripping as necessary
- Clean dryer vent
If you are considering selling your house this fall or looking for a new place to call home, be sure to give us a call (417-777-3300) or swing by our office. We’d be happy to talk about your options.
Happy fall and happy cleaning! 😉