As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect time to give your home a refresh before winter arrives. Or, if you are in Los Angeles, the leaves are turning brown because we still have drought conditions, and the temperatures are still upwards of 80. Cleaning and introducing fall décor ideas are considered self-care. While “spring cleaning” gets all the attention, fall cleaning is just as important, and honestly, it might be even more satisfying. Think of it as hitting the reset button before the busy holiday season. And you know that’s going to be here in about 20 seconds.
Here’s an easy, room-by-room Fall Cleaning Checklist to help you cozy up your space and head into the cooler months feeling organized, clean, and as stress-free as the world currently allows.
Whole-House Tasks
These are the big-picture items that apply to every room:
- Dust from top to bottom: Start high (ceiling fans, shelves, crown molding) and work your way down.
- Vacuum and mop all floors: Especially under furniture*.
- Clean baseboards and vents: They get grimier than you think, especially if you have had work done in any of the rooms, as we have.
- Swap out seasonal décor: Goodbye, beach vibes; hello, pumpkins, deep burgundy hues, and plaid!
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Replace batteries if needed.
- Wash windows (inside & out): Let in that autumn sunshine!
- Launder curtains and clean blinds: A great way to reduce allergens. I’m constantly shocked at how dirty the blinds in the kitchen are; Yuck!
- Change HVAC filters: This helps improve air quality and heating efficiency. We also get our furnace cleaned twice a year: once during our fall cleaning and once in the spring. It’s a gas furnace, so we feel particularly motivated to make sure everything works well before we put the demands of winter heating on it.
- Clean the fireplace and chimney: If you live in an area that permits fireplace use on certain air quality days, it’s essential to ensure your fireplace and chimney are clean and in good working order. You don’t want to discover a blockage by having ash and smoke fill your living room, den, or family room!
*I personally love steam cleaning the bathroom and kitchen floors. I use a combination of Murphy’s Oil Soap and water (or steam) to brighten the wood floors in our living room and dining room.
Living Room
- Vacuum upholstery: Don’t forget under the cushions.
- Steam clean rugs or carpets: Especially if pets or kids live here.
- Declutter coffee tables and shelves: Tidy up those stacks of magazines. Get rid of anything you won’t read again. They can go into one of your 30 bags in 30 days!
- Wipe down electronics: Use a microfiber cloth to clean screens and remotes. I like to remove the batteries from remotes and then disinfect remotes and keyboards with rubbing alcohol or wipes.
Kitchen
- Deep clean the fridge and freezer: Toss expired items and wipe down shelves. Don’t forget to add the air vents to your fall cleaning projects.
- Wipe down cabinets and pantry shelves: Organize as you go!
- Clean the oven and stovetop: Seriously, if you haven’t cleaned the oven since last Thanksgiving, do it now. Your future self will thank you.
- Descale the dishwasher and coffee maker: A quick vinegar rinse works wonders.
- Sanitize trash cans, empty kitchen compost bins, and recycling bins: Don’t skip the lids!
- Check and rotate pantry stock: Make space for fall staples like cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree. If you are a baker, stock up on any specialty flours so you’re not forced to run out in the middle of preparing for guests. And, yes, I have had to do that. SO NOT CUTE!
Bedrooms
- Flip and rotate mattresses: Helps with wear and support.
- Wash all bedding, including blankets and duvets: Then bring out the cozy layers!
- Switch to warmer bedding: Flannel sheets, anyone? We love our flannel sheets. It’s still extremely hot and oddly humid here in LA (most unusual), so I don’t see flannel in our future until late November. However, if you live in an area where the temperatures are already dipping at night, wash your flannels now and get ready to snuggle.
- Declutter closets: Donate summer clothes you didn’t wear or prepare them for Poshmark’s end-of-season sales. Again, consider this fall cleaning step as part of your 30 Bags in 30 Days decluttering challenge.
- Store away summer clothes: Use vacuum-sealed bags or bins to save space.
Bathrooms
- Scrub grout and tiles
- Deep clean and disinfect toilets, tubs, and sinks
- Wipe down mirrors and fixtures
- Wash bathmats and shower curtains
- Check expiration dates on medicines and toiletries: It’s a great time to declutter and restock as needed. Cold and flu season is right around the corner, and it’s always better to have necessities on hand than to have to run out when we’re feeling crappy.
Laundry Room or Cabinets
- Clean the washer and dryer: Run a sanitizing cycle and wipe down surfaces.
- Empty the lint trap (and behind the dryer): While we always clean the lint trap after every load, we also like to have professionals come in to perform a deep vacuum of the vents and exhaust during our fall cleaning and spring refreshes.
- Organize laundry supplies: Toss empty containers and group similar items. Now is also a great time to assess whether you’d like to try eco-friendly laundry supplies like Kind and ditch the big plastic tubs.
Entryway, Mudroom, or Hall Closet
- Declutter shoes and outerwear: Make room for boots and coats.
- Put down a heavier doormat: Helps trap fall leaves and mud.
- Wipe down doors and switch plates
- Set up a basket for gloves, scarves, and hats
Bonus: Seasonal Prep Tasks
- Clean out the garage, carport, or shed: Make room for storing summer gear. Also, you’d be surprised at how much stuff just gets put into these spaces to get it out of your way. I just took a look at our carport, and I swear 1/3 of it can go out during our 30-day decluttering challenge.
- Drain outdoor hoses and shut off spigots: Avoid freezing pipes if you live in an area that experiences early frost.
- Bring in or cover patio furniture
- Check weather stripping around doors and windows: Keep the heat in! Also, clean the weather stripping so that it is free of mold and other dirt. Our doors and windows are open for 10 months out of the year, and the accumulation always shocks us.
Final Pro Tip: Make It Cozy!
Once your home is clean and organized, reward yourself by adding a few fall décor touches:
- Light a cinnamon or vanilla-scented candle
- Drape a chunky knit blanket over the couch
- Bake something pumpkin-spiced, or maybe cinnamon is your jam
- Play your favorite autumn playlist in the background
Fall cleaning doesn’t have to feel like a total chore, if you break down the tasks into manageable bits and create a cozy space that you love. Or, at least, this is how I convince myself to do it. Plus, our future selves will thank us when the holidays and guests arrive, or when we plan a staycation that involves being snuggled under clean blankets with a book near the fireplace (wine may be involved).