Fall cleaning checklist – 10 things to clean at the change of the seasons

Given that the last time we truly deep cleaned our home would have been the start of spring, fall marks the perfect time to give our houses another once over to prepare them for the cooler weather.

But where do you start? When compiling a fall cleaning checklist there is a lot to consider from dusting off things we haven't used in the warmer months, to cleaning and packing away summer decor.

Luckily, our professional cleaners have broken down their fall cleaning tips into 10 essential tasks to help you stay on top of seasonal chores.

Fall cleaning checklist

Early September is a good time to start fall cleaning, but the earlier you begin, the sooner you can start decorating for fall.

1. Ceiling lights and fans

If you have not touched your ceiling since spring, cleaning cobwebs from the corners and dusting light fixtures and fans should be the top of your fall cleaning checklist.

To avoid common dusting mistakes, experts generally recommend that you start dusting high up in the space before working your way down so that any dust you disturb doesn't fall onto freshly cleaned surfaces, curbing the need to clean again.

When cleaning fabric lampshades, consider using a lint roller, such as the Mainstays one from Walmart, to collect the dust, rather than spread it around.

While you are up there, remember to change the ceiling fan direction to clockwise. While you might not think to use your fan in winter, a clockwise running fan will help to push hot air back down into the room, helping keep you cozy and keep a house warm without turning up the heat.

2. Dust around the room

With the top of the room clean, remove dust lingering on lower surfaces around the home, from window ledges and blinds to side tables, baseboards, and the tops of bookshelves.

For any individual decor pieces, you may like to try using a delicate duster such as the Mr.Siga handled microfiber one from Amazon, to avoid damage.

Focus on areas that often get missed, such as hard-to-reach corners and door frames where cobwebs often gather. If you have one of the best vacuums with a long reach on the hose, use the fluffy head attachment your appliance came with to get tricky spots.

3. Windows

Get ready for autumn rays by streak-free cleaning of the windows inside and out to maximize the amount of natural light in your living spaces. It's one of the most simple ways to uplift a room, making it feel lighter and brighter and contributing to an overall sense of well-being.

Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia’s Cleaning Service says, 'Window cleaning is top of my list for fall cleaning. I think fall is the perfect time to take care of this because temperatures have cooled down enough to allow you to clean windows without your cleaning solution evaporating and risking a streaky finish. It can also be very helpful for clearing out any dust, dirt, and debris that may have accumulated around your windows from leaving them open in warmer weather.'

To clean windows effectively, start inside with a spray bottle of equal parts water and white vinegar and buff with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. You can also use a Karcher Electric Window Vacuum, available at Walmart, to suck up any excess liquid and ensure there are no streaks.

For the exterior of the window, we love using The Pink Stuff paste, from Walmart, to buff away grime and hard water marks from the rain. Buff the paste onto a wet window with a non-abrasive sponge and rinse away. Use a squeegee or window vac to remove excess and avoid streaks and smears.

4. Furnace filters

We probably haven't thought too much about our heating system after such a hot summer, but now is the time to give it a once-over and clean your HVAC system and furnace filters to prepare the system for heavy use over winter reminds Max Veggeberg, CEO and Founder at Tetra.

'Changing your HVAC filter regularly to help your system perform at its best,' he advises. How to clean and change your filters will depend on the make and model of your system, so check the manufacturer's manual for detailed instructions.

Now is also a good time to consider getting your HVAC system serviced to help prepare a house for cold weather and avoid any unexpected breakdowns.

5. Store summer decor

When our mindset switches to pumpkin spice and cozy throws, our summer decor can start to get us down and take up vital space. As part of your fall cleaning, take the time to clean and store any lingering summer decor items.

Will Cotter, professional cleaner and COO of FreshSpace Cleaning says, 'The seasonal transition is the perfect time to do a deep clean and get everything in order. Removing allergens, tidying up everything, making sure everything smells fresh, and creating a clean canvas for all those fall decor ideas.

'Remove decor items that are specific to other seasons and store them away until needed, keep only the blankets and throws you'll actually use during the colder months, and dust off unused summery artificial flowers.'

6. Garage and basement

Our garages and basements are often neglected and are particularly exposed to leaks, moisture, dust and pests. Take the time to get rid of items in the garage and basement that you no longer need or use, vacuum and mop floors and wipe down surfaces. Be sure to remove any items you should not store in your basement to prevent nasty surprises when you next need them, such as important documents and precious photos, as well as fire wood.

Using one of the best dehumidifiers will also help to prevent mold and damp before the colder weather draws in these spaces which usually lack climate control.

7. Refrigerator

A key task to tick off your fall cleaning checklist is cleaning the refrigerator.

'Why clean the fridge before fall? Well, it's the perfect time to start fresh and get ready for a new season. Just like the leaves change colors and fall to the ground, it's a great opportunity to let go of the old and make space for the new,' says Anja Wolf, a kitchen expert and founder of I Love Cookware. 'And what better way to do that than by cleaning out your fridge?

Anja Wolf makes the point that starting with a clean slate provides us with more motivation to try new fall recipes and stock up on all our favorite seasonal treats.

'Get rid of those expired condiments and mystery leftovers, and embrace the new beginnings that fall brings,' she explains. 'Plus, who wants to discover a science experiment growing in the back of the fridge when you're trying to make a pumpkin pie?'

Remember to clean the refrigerator coils and the top of the fridge, as grime, dust and small bits of food can gather in these hidden spots. A great way to keep fridge odors at bay is baking soda, which has plenty of uses around the home, too.

8. Closet

The change of the seasons is a great time to declutter clothes and create a 'donate' pile of any summer clothes that have been left unworn for the last year or two. This will make it much easier to see your fall/winter wardrobe and give heavier sweaters and coats more space to breathe.

Laura Price, professional home organizer and owner of The Home Organisation says, 'I don’t recommend holding onto clothes that no longer fit you. Storing clothes you can’t wear isn’t useful, they take up valuable space and it’s not always guaranteed you will wear them again.

'Get rid of any clothes that no longer make you happy. There are often new clothes from Summer to be added to your wardrobe, so don’t hold back on donating a few older items to keep it feeling spacious and user-friendly.'

With the clothes out of the closet, take the time to clean a clothes closet. This will help to get rid of any dust and lingering musty smells to keep your fall and winter clothing fresher and cleaner for longer over the coming months. It also helps you check for and remove any pests such as moths in your closet, and spiders.

9. Oven and microwave

Cleaning the kitchen – and some of the hardest-working appliances in this space – is well worth doing ahead of the holiday season.

'Prepare for Thanksgiving gatherings by cleaning the oven inside and out,' advises Chiana Dickson, H&G's Solved content editor. 'No one enjoys this task but dried on grease and grime can compromise the taste of your food, as well as creating odors.

'Personally, I like to clean an oven without chemicals: Steam cleaning an oven is quick and easy, and doesn't risk contaminating your food. I use the Black & Decker 7-in-1 steam mop, available at Amazon, with the oven brush attachment to soften grease and help it melt away. Then, I mop up the excess water and grease with paper towels for quick disposal.'

You can also clean your microwave with lemon to keep it smelling fresh.

10. Floors and rugs

The new season is a good time to give your flooring a refresh, so clean hardwood floors to leave them looking their best ahead of cozy season when much more time is spent indoors. It's also a good idea to take everything out from under the bed and clean all the dust, pet hair and dead bugs that will likely be found under there – one of the best vacuum cleaners will make light work of this.

Next, clean area rugs so they're not holding onto dust and grime. This will also eliminate any odors and help make your home smell nice.

'Definitely vacuum your floors, especially if they are carpet floors,' reminds Axel Avery, cleaning expert with Oakville Maids. 'Both fall and summer are seasons where pollen and dust start floating around everywhere. Of course, this ends up in your floors. You want to make sure it’s a vacuum cleaner with an HEPA filter to properly filter the dust particles. Leave floors for last if you’re going to clean other areas that same day. '

If you look at your floors and think they're looking tired after months of foot traffic, learn how to paint wood floors for a DIY revival before fall.

As well as sprucing up our homes and cleaning those often-forgotten areas, consider decluttering before fall to free up space in closets, storage areas, and living spaces and make cleaning a home for fall quicker and easier.