Tips for Cleaning Your House for the Fall

Summer’s nothing but a memory. The days are getting shorter and the kids are back at school. We’re all back to the normal routine and, like it or not, that includes cleaning.

Sure, we may have let things slide in the lazy summer months. With time spent away from home on vacations and long days outside, it’s easier to ignore the laundry piling up, the film of dust covering the bookshelf and the general grime which gathers in corners during those sticky summer months.

But the cooling temperatures and slow change of the leaves mean it’s time to buckle down and get the house in shape for the fall. The good news is, the cleanup doesn’t need to take a whole weekend. We recommend taking it one step at a time and doing a little each day. Or - even better - hiring a residential house cleaning service to help you out! (We might even have one in mind…)

To get you started, here are some quick tips for getting your home clean, tidy and organized this fall.

1. Dust!

During the summer months, your house probably picked up a lot of dust. The windows were open, and you may have been at the beach more than once. Sand, dirt and dust can get into every corner on every surface. Be sure to dust shelves, mantels and ceilings, too.

Dusting your home is so simple to do, and yet many people skip out on it when they clean their own house. It’s so simple — all you need is a damp cloth. You can dust while you watch TV, listening to your favorite podcast or while the kids eat dinner. Take 10 minutes a day and do one room each day.

Feeling like a rockstar? Grab the vacuum cleaner and give some TLC to the upholstery. Get the dust out of your couch and cushions, too!

2. Clean and Store Your Patio or Deck Furniture

Face it, unless you live in the sunny south, you won’t be using that patio or deck furniture for the next many months. Before you shove it into the shed or pile it in a corner of your garage, take the time to clean your outdoor furniture.

You can use a mixture of dish soap and warm water and wipe down the furniture with an old rag. Use a wire or hard plastic brush for those tougher stains and rust spots. Remove all the cushions and throw them in the wash on a delicate cycle. Then, leave them to dry completely in the sun before packing them away.

3. The Pantry (Get ready for back-to-school)

When’s the last time you went through your pantry? If you’re not sure, then you should definitely roll up your sleeves and start organizing. (As a personal organizer, pantries are actually one of my favorite parts of the house to get in order!)

Throw away items that are expired and donate anything you know you’ll never eat. Why on earth did you buy those gluten free energy bars? Take everything out of the cupboard and wipe down the shelving. Ideally, you want to line each shelf with a fresh piece of contact paper. This will make it that much easier to clean the next time around.

Then, put everything back in a way that makes sense. Make sure you can easily grab a healthy snack and the items you use every day.

4. Get Help!

Does all this seem like too much? You don’t have to go it alone! Hire a residential house cleaning service to help you out. Even hiring a house cleaner just a few times a year can make a huge difference, not only in how clean your house is, but in how sane you feel!

If you work with me, I can help with cleaning as well as organizing. Together, we can make sure your home is clean and orderly. What better way to start off the new year?

Want help with fall cleaning? Request a Quote