Autumn Cleaning Chore Checklist

The days are getting shorter, leaves are changing color, and the familiar crisp, cold air can only mean one thing, fall is here. My summers are always filled with fun activities and vacations that leave the house disorganized and a little neglected. Somehow summer always finds a way for me to make excuses to put off the tedious job of dusting light bulbs or changing filters. Cleaning and preparing the house before winter’s nasty weather blows in has to be done, and fall is the perfect season to do it while the weather is still nice. Knowing what to do and having an Autumn Cleaning Chore Checklist to go off of can help you get it done and get it done right.

Outside the House

Winter brings unpredictable weather. If you live in a city where it snows, this means preparing your house before it is too late. There are a few things you should check or keep up on the maintenance every year so you aren’t paying extra with high utility bills. Always check all your doors to ensure they are sealed correctly and efficiently. Weather-strips work wonders for keeping cold air from creaking through small cracks around doors. Caulking windows and vents will also keep out unwanted air. Pressure-wash the driveway and scrub the windows, before it is too cold for you to use the hose.

Bring outside furniture in
Scrub the windows
Pressure-wash the driveway
Change the oil in the lawnmower
Drain garden hoses and wrap them up for storage
Clean outside vents
Caulk Windows
Weather-strip doors
Repaint any worn or chipped areas
Clean and maintain gutters
Have the chimneys inspected and cleaned if necessary
Clean out garage
Prepare garden and trim plants

Inside the House

Many people think of spring as the one time you deep clean your house, but fall is the perfect time to do those odd jobs again or several extra ones before it gets cold. The one thing you will find repeated on my list is dusting, so grab out your rag and gets ready to dust, dust, and dust some more. Dust the top of your kitchen cabinets, the doors, and refrigerator, behind the oven and laundry machines, light bulbs, light fixtures, vents, and blinds. Scrub the walls, doors, cabinets, and knobs. With the help of a friend or family member, you should be able to finish cleaning from the top of the closet to under the stove in just two or three days.