With fall in full spring in the city of Chicago, it’s time to start thinking about getting your house in tip-top shape. Cleaning your home is an important way to usher in the fall season, but how do you go about getting your place clean for the change in seasons? Here are 5 cleaning tips for each room in your house to help you get started. (save this link as a checklist for later)
Outside:
- Clean up the yard
- Do a last mow of the lawn and put away summer lawn tools.
- Dust off the grill and prepare it for winter storage
- Store patio furniture in a protected area
- Wipe down patio furniture
- Clean out the gutters, inspect the roof and repair any damage
Living room:
- Tackle stains on carpeting, upholstered furniture, drapes or other fabrics.
- Wash the drapes and curtains.
- Check your fireplace for any loose brickwork or brick that needs replacing due to cracks or worn mortar joints
- Check electrical outlets for dust and grime
- Wash and dust light fixtures
Foyer:
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Switch out your fire alarm batteries — and test them!
- For a deeper clean, use a steam cleaner on the floors
- Dust the baseboards
- Disinfect and mop floorboards
Kitchen:
- Rotate spices and check expiration dates on baking items
- Disinfect your oven and fridge
- Disinfect doorknobs and light switches
- Organize food in storage containers
- Take inventory of your cleaning supplies and restock as needed
Bedroom:
- Rotate your mattresses, wash the sheets, dust your bed frames.
- Get rid of clutter in closets, cabinets and drawers
- Put away summer clothes, shoes and accessories – donate any clothes you don’t wear
- Wash all of your bedding, including the pillows
- Deep clean carpet if applicable, mop hardwood floors
Laundry room:
- Clean your washing machine and dryer
- Set up a cleaning station in the laundry room
- Clean out your dryer vent and ducts
- Wash the lint screen filter
- Deep clean your dryer vent hose or duct, if applicable
Bathroom:
- Recaulk the tub and shower
- Wash or replace the shower curtain and liner
- Toss your toothbrush holder, soap dish, and any other bathroom accessories in the dishwasher
- Clean and organize the medicine cabinet
- Wash the walls of your bathroom
Kid’s bedroom:
- Wash stuffed animals, children’s books and other items in the washing machine or dry-cleaner.
- Donate or give away toys that are no longer used
- Vacuum carpeted areas, including under beds and furniture
- Wipe down the walls and windows
- Dust any hard to reach areas such as fans, behind bed, window sills
Basement:
- Spray the basement walls with detergent and water to clean the walls and remove any mildew.
- Check your basement windows for drafts and seal them if necessary
- Inspect your furnace and clean the air filter
- Remove cobwebs and pests
- Clean anything that’s been sitting in your basement for over a year
Misc:
- Wash or dry clean winter jackets and parkas
- Dust ceiling fans
- Have your HVAC system checked and serviced for winter heating
- Build or find a place to store the items you want to keep but don’t need right away
- Add shelving to help organize your storage area
Make sure to take advantage of this time of year to perform these fall deep cleaning tips. You don’t have to be superman and clean all of these rooms in one day, maybe start with one or two, and in one week your home will be fall and winter ready!
