Autumn Cleaning Checklist

Ah, the turn of the season. The more noticeable ones, summer into autumn and winter into spring, always unlock a wide variety of feelings within me. They’re like a fresh start, an opportunity to set out into the upcoming months with a clean slate. They also always give me the cleaning bug. I’ll suddenly start to notice things around my house that never bothered me before, I’ll feel the need to organise my things, get rid of anything that’s served its purpose, and to finally do away with the dust bunnies behind the sofa. If you ask me, the beginning of autumn is the perfect time to give your home a nice, thorough second spring cleaning. It’s the time of year when we slowly transition to indoor life, start spending more time in our homes with lights and candles on, finding entertainment and pleasure in our favourite possessions. It only makes sense to prep our homes so that they’re ready to be a comforting, safe space for us in the next six months. Today I have a little autumn cleaning checklist, for all of you who feel the nesting urge as well.

Seasonal Clothing
Let’s start with a fun, easy and pretty obvious point: it’s time to rotate out seasonal clothing. If, like me, you have a small closet and keep part of your wardrobe stored away elsewhere, now’s the perfect opportunity to put away your flowy summer dresses and replace them with cozy knitted sweaters. While you’re going through your closet anyway, make sure to pick out any items you’re ready to let go. The ones that don’t really fit you anymore, the ones that are broken or stained beyond repair, or the ones you’re simply no longer feeling. Be critical of what you put back in your closet as well. If you unpack anything you’ve stored away last year that you can’t see yourself wearing again this season, go ahead and give it a better home with someone else.
Don’t forget to clean the inside of your closet while you’re at it!

Declutter
As you’re about to spend a lot of time inside your house, make sure it’s a place you feel comfortable in. Being surrounded by too many useless, meaningless items can add lots of unnecessary stress. Free yourself of them! Now’s the time to tackle that junk drawer you’ve been dreading, get rid of the five extra ladles in the kitchen, throw away expired beauty products… Anything that doesn’t bring you joy and doesn’t serve you any more (and likely never will) can be donated, tossed or sold. Give it a go- you’ll feel much lighter afterwards, and create more breathing space for yourself and the things you actually love and use.

Clear Out Pantry
When’s the last time you took inventory of your pantry? Pull everything out, clean the shelves, and check the expiry dates of everything you’re putting back. If it’s truly expired, toss it. By truly expired I mean don’t just go by the use by date- many canned items can last much longer than their date perfectly well, as can many dried goods. Once something’s been opened, you’ll need to give it a good look and sniff. If there’s anything that’s still good but you don’t intend to use anymore (a spice you don’t like the taste of, for example), consider donating it to charity or giving it to a friend.

Defrost & Clean Freezer
I don’t know about you, but to me the freezer is definitely a place I tend to neglect. I open it every once in a while to shove a container of leftovers in, only to re-discover it weeks later.
Take everything out of the freezer and do whatever you need to do to clean the inside. Some freezers need to be defrosted first, so go ahead and do that if you need to. Wipe the inside with a safe cleaner and cloth, and check the condition of any foods you put back in. Toss anything you’re unsure about.

Clean Oven
If your oven has a self-cleaning setting, run it. If it doesn’t, you’re going to have to use a bit of elbow grease. Clean the inside of the oven, as well as the baking trays. See if you can vacuum clean the air vent.

Clean Walls & Ceilings
I’m guilty of gross neglect when it comes to this, haha! Cleaning the walls is not something you might routinely remember to do, but you’d be surprised by how much dust and dirt they collect. Use your vacuum cleaner to get the corners of ceilings, and wipe the walls with a microfiber cloth and gentle cleaner. Don’t forget any wall decor you have up!

Clean Light Fixtures
Wipe the outsides of light fixtures with a damp microfiber cloth, and give the insides and bulbs a little wipe as well if you can reach them. Now’s also a good time to replace any bulbs that have gone out.

Dust Plants
Don’t forget about your live friends! Plants are made to be rained on regularly, which obviously inside they aren’t. Collecting dust makes them unable to “breathe”, so be sure to wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Giving your plants the chance to purify the air will make a difference in the air quality in your home as well, so it’s win-win.

Clean Windows
Another pretty obvious one, but one I wanted to mention nonetheless: clean all windows. If you can get to them, clean your windows from the outside as well or consider hiring somebody to do it for you. While you’re at it, give the frames a quick cleaning as well.

Clean Heaters
You’re probably going to start using them soon if you haven’t already, so be sure to clean your heaters. This can make a big difference in the smell they emit, and even their effectiveness and safety, depending on the type of heater you use. Check what the proper cleaning method and maintenance is for your heater, and act accordingly.

Steam Sofa
This is something I actually do regularly, but have you considered using your clothing steamer to steam your upholstered furniture? It’s a great way to refresh and sanitize it, that also helps straighten out any wrinkles. While you’re at it, you could steam rugs as well.

Flip Sofa Cushions
If your sofa has reversible cushions, flipping them every now and then is a great way to keep it in good condition longer. It’s also a nice opportunity to vacuum clean behind and underneath the cushions.

Wash Pillows & Blankets
Autumn is the season of cozying up on a mountain of pillows, underneath a warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate. Make sure the pillows and blankets are ready for a few months of intensive use by throwing them in the washing machine.

Flip Mattress
It’s good to flip or turn the mattress on your bed a few times a year, to prevent getting indents and let it air out.

Wash Duvet
I’ve never been able to understand how people in the USA make their beds (so many different elements!), but over here we use a simple mattress cover, one pillow with cover per person, and a duvet in a duvet cover. That’s it. Anyway, whatever it is you have on your bed, if it’s not washed regularly you should probably throw it in the washer now (check the laundry instructions first, of course). Try adding a tennis ball or two when you put your pillows in the dryer- it’ll help fluff them up.

Clean Washer & Dryer
Don’t forget to give your washer and dryer some TLC! The machines that clean for you need a good cleaning every now and then as well. Clean the outsides as well as the insides and any trays or vents.

Clean & Store Outside Furniture
If you live in a cold climate, chances are you won’t use your garden or balcony furniture for a while. Give it a good clean, maybe treat wooden pieces to a layer of oil, and store the furniture properly.

Organise Storage
If you happen to be in a good flow oganisation-wise, why not tackle your shed, attic, or storage space as well? Take inventory of what’s there, dispose of anything you no longer want, and re-organise in a way that makes sense to you. It also won’t hurt to move the seasonal decor to an accessible place for the upcoming holidays :)

That should set you up for a nice and organised autumn and winter! Is there anything you do that I’ve forgotten to list? Let me know in the comments!