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Fall Cleaning Checklist

INDOORS:

  • Vacuum drapes and window treatments. Clean window sills and window wells. Vacuum baseboards and corners.
    Wash interior windows.
  • Vacuum upholstered furniture, or have professionally cleaned if needed. Move furniture and vacuum beneath
    and behind it.
  • Turn mattresses front-to-back and end-to-end to equalize wear.
  • Launder or clean all bedding: mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters.
  • Clean and organized kitchen cabinets, and clear kitchen counters of all appliances not used within the last week.
    Open up space for holiday cooking.
  • Pull refrigerator away from the wall, and vacuum the condenser coils. For bottom-mounted coils, use a long,
    narrow brush to clean coils of dust and debris.
  • Wash light-diffusing bowls from light fixtures.
  • Check and empty the central vacuum's collection area.
  • Clean or replace humidifier elements before the heating season begins.
  • Inspect washer hoses for bulges, cracks or splits. Replace them every other year.
  • Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for built-up lint, debris or birds' nests. Make sure the exterior vent door
    closes tightly when not in use.
  • Schedule fall furnace inspections now. Don't wait for the first cold night!
  • Buy a winter's supply of furnace filters. Change filters monthly for maximum energy savings and indoor comfort.
  • Drain sediment from hot water heaters.
  • If you're thinking of selling your home before winter comes, start with this cleaning checklist and add some
    extra touches - find tips in this blog: 3 Tips to Sell Your Home In the Fall.

OUTDOORS:

  • Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, children's summer toys.
  • Touch up paint on trim, railings and decks. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint; prime bare wood first.
  • Check caulk around windows and doors. Follow manufacturer's recommendations to re-caulk if needed.
  • Inspect external doors and garage doors. Do they close tightly? Install weather-stripping, door thresholds if needed.
  • Wash exterior windows.
  • Drain and store garden hoses. Install insulating covers on exterior spigots. In hard-freeze areas, have
    sprinkler systems blown free of water.
  • Check gutters and downspouts. Clear of debris if necessary. In cold-weather areas, consider installing
    heating cable to prevent ice dams.
  • Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary.
  • If you are planning to sell now or when Spring comes, complete the tasks on this list to make sure your
    home is showing-ready and home buyers don't get distracted by dirty windows or gutters. 

 

Adapted from http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/fall-cleaning-chore-checklist