Your Complete Guide to Fall Cleaning: Tips and Tricks for a Cozy Clean Home [2023]
- Shannon
- Sep 4, 2023
- 5 min read
As the leaves start to fall, autumn is the perfect time to give your home a refreshing deep clean. While regular light cleaning maintenance is ideal, changing seasons is a great opportunity to roll up your sleeves for an intensive whole-house cleaning.
As much as we all dream of having one of those constantly spotless Instagram-worthy homes, real life with kids and pets means light daily cleaning is about all I can manage. But who doesn't love taking advantage of changing seasons to roll up my sleeves and declutter, scrub, and organize everything top to bottom.
In this fun fall cleaning bonanza of an article, we're spilling all the secrets to getting your home sparkling clean for the cozy fall and winter months ahead. You'll learn:
So grab your favorite fall-scented candle, pumpkin spice latte, or other seasonal treat, and let's do this! Be forewarned, you might find yourself getting a little too excited about cleaning after reading. (Just me? Ok then.) Ready to make your home shine? Here we go!
How do I prepare my house for fall season?
Prepping your home for a total seasonal deep clean sets you up for success. Here are 5 tips to get your space ready for a fall refresh:
Do a thorough declutter. Clearing out clutter should be step 1 before deep cleaning. Go through every room and get rid of things you don't use anymore - donate, sell or recycle. Fewer items to clean around means faster and more effective cleaning.
Make a customized cleaning checklist. Grab a notebook and write down a detailed cleaning plan for each room. Include tasks like washing walls, cleaning behind appliances, dusting ceiling fans and baseboards. Tailor checklists to problem areas and seasonal needs in each space.
Stock up on supplies. Check under your sinks and restock cleaning tools and products you need. Microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, rubber gloves, disinfecting spray and these awesome sponges are cleaning essentials.
Enlist family to help. Get everyone cleaning a different room for a whole house effort. Or have kids tidy their rooms and bathroom while you tackle the kitchen and living room. Many hands make light work.
Schedule cleaning time. Block multiple weekends or evenings on your calendar dedicated solely to seasonal cleaning. Creating set times prevents it from getting deprioritized.
What is the secret to a clean house?
More than using the best techniques and products (although those help!), the real secret to maintaining cleanliness is consistency. Follow these 7 daily and weekly habits for housecleaning success:
Do quick pickups in the evening. Scan for toys, clothes and dishes left around the house and put them away before bed so you start each morning with a clean slate.
Tackle laundry on the same day every week. Whether it's Sunday or Wednesday night, stick to washing, drying, folding and putting away laundry on your designated laundry day.
Run the dishwasher every night. Load it up after dinner and set it to run while you sleep so dishes are cleaned and unloaded first thing.
Take out the trash and recycling on trash day. Never let bins overflow onto the floor mid-week. Immediately replace trash bags.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. Use disinfecting wipes or spray on doorknobs, light switches, TV remotes, phone screens and more.
Vacuum high traffic areas multiple times per week. Spot vacuum entryways, stairs and halls ideally every other day if you have pets and kids.
Declutter instead of just tidying. Don't let clutter accumulate. Donate unused items regularly and keep shelves, surfaces and closets sparse.
In what order should you deep clean a house?
Cleaning room by room from top to bottom prevents dirt and dust from spreading throughout the house. Here is an efficient order:
1. Living Spaces
Start in high traffic common rooms like the living room, family room and home office. Vacuum furniture, lamps, shelves and electronics to remove dust buildup. Disinfect items people touch often like remotes, desks and coffee tables. Use duster attachments for ceiling fans and baseboards.
2. Kitchen
Fully clear counters and surfaces before cleaning. Move appliances to wash surrounding areas then go through cabinets, drawers and pantries wiping interior shelves. Disinfect sinks, appliances and backsplashes. Sweep and mop floors last.
3. Bathrooms
Scrub showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilets removing all built up soap scum and mildew. Wipe down mirrors and glass shower doors until they shine. Disinfect all handles, dispensers, shelves, counters and sinks. Sweep and mop floors.
4. Bedrooms
Strip sheets and bedding and wash in hot water to kill dust mites. Vacuum and steam carpets. Dust furniture, ceiling fans, baseboards and electronics. Disinfect doorknobs and light switches.
5. Miscellaneous Rooms
Clean thoroughly in spaces like mudrooms, laundry rooms, closets and storage areas which are often overlooked. Vacuum, dust, wipe surfaces and organize.
6. Entryways
Dust light fixtures, furniture, window sills and any decorative items near entrances. Shake out entryway rugs and wash if needed. Disinfect handles on front doors.
7. Outdoor Areas
Sweep debris off porches, decks and patios. Hose down outdoor furniture to remove dirt and grime built up over the season. Clear any cobwebs around exterior doors and walls.
Tackling your home from top to bottom takes more time upfront but prevents cleaning rooms twice and spreading dirt. Get the whole family involved to make it fun!
How do I get motivated to clean when overwhelmed by mess?
When your home is utterly chaotic, finding the motivation to clean can feel impossible:
Make a managable list. Break the big messy house down into discrete tasks you can tackle one by one. A list provides structure and helps eating the elephant.
Start small. Choose one cluttered area or quick chore first that will make an instant visual impact, like clearing the kitchen counters. Momentum builds from there.
Focus on function. Prioritize tasks that will make your daily routine immediately easier, like emptying the sink so you can cook. A functional improvement is motivating.
Crank up fun music. Create an upbeat playlist to listen to as you clean. Music you enjoy makes chores feel less like work.
Promise rewards. Entice yourself by deciding on a reward once rooms or tasks are complete, like a bubble bath, dessert, or an episode of your favorite show.
Follow motivating accounts. Look at perfectly organized closets, pantries and cleaning spaces on Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Seeing the end result you want helps energize you to put in the work.
Invite guests over. Having company scheduled provides deadline pressure to clean. Even better, ask friends to come over and help you tackle the big project. Turn on snacks and music and make it fun!
How clean are most people's homes?
Ever wonder how your home cleanliness measures up? Studies reveal how tidy the average American house actually is:
97% of kitchens pass a hygiene inspection - Only 3% have concerning bacteria levels in high use areas like sinks, stoves and fridges.
85% of floors are vacuumable - Most home floors would pass the "white glove" test and not show dirt or dust if vacuumed.
61% of people make their beds daily - Almost two-thirds tidy their sheets instead of leaving beds messy overnight.
49% have clear coffee tables - Just under half of family rooms don't have clutter covering the coffee table.
32% have clutter-free kitchen sinks - Only 1 in 3 have a completely clear sink without dishes or sponges sitting out.
27% have empty laundry hampers - Just over a quarter don't have overflowing dirty clothes hampers.
When Fall Cleaning Tips Just Aren't Enough
All of this said, you may be reading this and thinking "I just don't have the time." When all else fails, turn to the pro's to get it done for you. Find what you need through handy sites like TaskRabbit or the neighborhood teenager looking to earn some extra cash.
So while the average home may not be magazine-photo ready, it passes basic cleanliness standards in most rooms. How does your home compare? Share your biggest cleaning win recently in the comments below!
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