Springtime is not the only time to do a deep clean of the home. Our homes often get neglected over the Summer with outdoor activites. Fall is a great time to tend to the home and do a Fall cleaning.
I will be honest and tell you that I let the inside of my house get a little dirtier than usual over the Summer. We spend many of our days outside in the yard, in the gardens or with other Summer activities. The basic laundry, dishes, bedding, dusting and vacuuming are done weekly, but not a more extensive clean.
Before the weather really turns, I take several days to do a good deep clean and declutter of the home. I love refreshing my space with a whole house cleaning. The spiders created their webs, the flies have added their mark on all the windows and we have collected more things than we need. So let’s do some cleaning!!
Where to Begin?
Here are a few tips on where to begin in your fall cleaning.
~ See how much time you have for each cleaning task. For example, my curtains needed washing and I knew that would only take about 10 minutes. Laundering the curtains can be done before everything else and while the little kids are awake. The laundry can wash and dry before afternoon even arrives.
~ What tasks can be done when the kids are awake? This is a big one for me to prioritize. I have kids who either nap or have quiet time. Any job that may be loud or is in the kids’ room is done during wake hours.
~ Do not underestimate how long cleaning will take. Okay friends, I often hope that a cleaning task will take less time than it usually does. If you’ve only got 20 minutes, do not try to tackle cleaning all the windows. Clean a light fixture or clean the washing machine istead, knowing that will be less time consuming.
~ Family involvement. Cleaning does not have to fall just on our shoulders. Kids and spouses are great help when we ask them to. My husband and I cleaned, decluttered and organized our entire garage on a Saturday. If he would not have been willing to do that, then it would honestly not have happened.
~ Don’t stress. Stressing over the fall cleaning is not worth it. I help myself out with this by making a list. The list helps put everything out in view so I know what needs to get done. Also, don’t stress if a task does not get done. Sure I’d love to accomplish my entire list, which is the goal. If my frig does not get deep cleaned however, then I’m going to be okay with that. I just plan for another time to get that job done.
What to fall clean
Many of the places I clean are similar to what I clean in the Springtime. Depending on the year, the status of my home and what each phase of life brings, these are some places I like to add to my Fall cleaning list.
- Windows – wipe the glass and clean out the window sills
- Light fixtures – wash the glass fixtures
- Curtains and Blinds – wash and wipe down
- Walls – wash and/or wipe down the walls
- Trim – Wipe the baseboards and trim
- Oven, Dishwasher & Refrigerator – wipe out, wash and run a clean cycle if it has it
- Washing Machine & Dryer – clean the inside and run clean cycle
- Furniture – wash throw pillows, vacuum inside the cushions & spot clean any stains
- Under Beds – vacuum or sweep underneath and wash floors if hard wood
Fall cleaning can be more extensive or less. Make this a yearly habit and your home will thank you!
As I often say, do what you can to care for your home. In turn you can care more for your family and the people that matter.
Happy Fall Cleaning,
Davee
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