Revised Checklist for Your Autumn Household Maintenance Tasks
With the changing of the seasons approaching, it's a great time for a good spring clean. Although quarterly tidying up is typically advised, certain tasks are best tackled at specific times throughout the year. As autumn draws near, here are the things you need to clean and organize within your home.
Start by decluttering your summer essentials
As you prepare to put away everything you used in the past season, take stock of what you didn't use and either toss or donate it. There's no point in putting away and storing things you didn't use this summer, only to not use them again the following year.
There are numerous decluttering techniques out there, and most of them will have you organizing your belongings into four groups: keep, donate, toss, or sell. A combination of the Five Second Rule and KonMari would be my suggestion. Pick up each item and give yourself five seconds to decide which pile it belongs in. Is it truly meaningful to you and did you actually use it this summer? Make quick decisions and sort efficiently while the memory of how many times you wore that striped tank top is still fresh in your mind.
Once everything is sorted, act swiftly with the next steps. Take the donation box straight to your car or front door and make a commitment to take it to the thrift shop or donation center as soon as possible. Take out the trash immediately, list anything you plan to sell on your preferred marketplace immediately, and organize everything you've decided to keep immediately, too. You won't benefit from having them in bags and boxes during the cooler weather, as you can't wear or use them then.
Prepare your home for fall
Box fans and window units will be replaced with air purifiers. Despite popular belief, fall allergies are indeed a thing. Autumn is actually my worst season for allergies. It's the time of year I dig out my air purifier. If yours has been put away, remove the filter, vacuum it with a hose attachment that has a brush, and wipe it down with a wet rag, even if you cleaned it before storing it. Dust might have accumulated on it, reducing its effectiveness.
Before putting away your various fans, give them a thorough cleaning, too. I have a guide for cleaning all types of fans, so check that out. Generally, if it can be disassembled, do so. Use a wet rag to wipe down whatever components you can, avoiding electrical components, and use a vacuum to really suck out the dirt. Wrap them in some foam wrapping to keep dust at bay.
Refresh your bedding and sheets
Bring out any thicker comforters or cozier blankets for the colder weather. Even if they were stored away perfectly, wash your summertime bedding and pack it away. I recommend vacuum-seal bags to compress the bedding to save space and keep dust and debris off it.
Another great option is under-the-bed storage. These containers protect your stuff and keep it out of sight until you need it. Plus, it follows the Organizational Triangle principles, storing similar items together. Blankets should be under the bed, whether they're being used or not.
Amazon Basics Under Bed Fabric Zipper Storage Container Bags - $15.19
Store summer clothes and goods
One of the most significant tasks is storing away your summer clothes and various summer stuff, such as beach bags and sunscreen. It's not helpful to keep them in your closet, as you'll need quick access to your cold-weather clothes. Vacuum-sealed bags and under-bed storage are perfect for this, but my top tip is using the summer bags themselves to hold all that stuff. Keep similar items together and make use of the big totes and bags, even when they're in storage. Swimsuits, summer clothes, goggles, sunscreen—all of it can go into your beach bags or luggage. (Bonus: If you take a warm vacation, the things you'll need will already be inside!)
After organizing your summer essentials, it's time to shift your focus to the fall cleaning checklist for your home. Ensure your home is ready for the falling leaves and cooler weather by preparing your air purifier. Dust might have accumulated on it during storage, reducing its effectiveness. Remove the filter, vacuum it with a hose attachment, and wipe it down with a wet rag to maintain its performance throughout the autumn season.
