Studies show that Americans spend up to 93% of their time indoors, especially during winter. Why not? There’s nothing better than a mug of hot chocolate, a warm fireplace, and festive cheer when it’s cold outside.
The last thing you feel like doing in the wintertime is cleaning your house, so it pays to get in now with a thorough cleaning to tide you over.
Here’s your ultimate fall cleaning checklist to get your home spic-and-span for the holidays.
The Ultimate Fall Cleaning Checklist
Set up a schedule for fall house cleaning where you clean a few items every day. It helps if you can get a house cleaning company to take on some of the bigger tasks.
If you try to do everything at once and by yourself, you’ll lose momentum fast.
1. A Vacuum-Packed Day
Set aside one full day for vacuuming. Give your curtains, drapes, window blinds, upholstery and all the spots normally concealed under furniture a thorough going over.
Wipe any stubborn streaks with a dampened microfiber cloth and leave them to dry. If that doesn’t work, it’s a good idea to invest in a deep-cleaning treatment for these items. You can use store-bought upholstery cleaner, or hire a steam cleaner for the job.
Check wooden floors for signs of wear and tear and deal with scuffs and scratches if necessary.
2. Treat Your Windows
You need a sparkling clean backdrop if you want to try some of these cool Christmas window decor ideas this year.
Pick a cloudy day for cleaning your windows, it’s easier to see any streaks than in bright sunlight. Whip off those window dressings and send them off to the dry cleaners
Start off by wiping windows down with a spritz of window-cleaning liquid and a microfiber cloth. Alternatively, some dishwashing liquid mixed with water in a spray bottle will work just as well.
3. Hit the Walls
Dust your walls first to prevent dirt from becoming ingrained in them. Next, wipe them down with a damp cloth dipped in a half-filled bucket of water mixed with a few drops of dish detergent.
Afterward, wipe them down with water and dry them with a soft towel.
While you have the bucket out, wipe down major appliances like fridges, all your light switches, and your kitchen cupboards too. Check for any signs of mold on the walls and attend to them with a bleach solution.
4. De-Clutter Closets and Storage Spaces
Pack away your summer clothing, clean and dust your cupboards. Donate any clothing items that are too ‘last-year’ or too small. Now’s a good time to get stuck into tidying your garage, attic, and any other areas that collect a lot of clutter.
5. Call on the Pro’s
Get in touch with professional service providers to check your smoke detectors, service your furnace and sweep the chimneys.
It’s a good idea to check if the exterior of your house needs any work too. Your house’s weather stripping, the caulking around windows and doors, and guttering should also be on your fall home maintenance lis.t
Easy Does It
It’s important to give yourself time off in between these seasonal house cleaning chores. After all, life’s too short to be brandishing a broom all day.
By tackling these jobs one step at a time, you’ll fly through your fall cleaning checklist and be ready to welcome your family and friends for festive celebrations.
If you want to learn more useful ideas to keep your house attractive and welcoming, keep reading our blog.