Seasonal Home Reset
Fall Cleaning Checklist: How to Prepare Your Home Before Decorating
One of my favorite seasons to prepare for is fall. The cooler temperatures, colorful foliage and busy school schedules make it the perfect time to reset the home, helping you slow down and enjoy the best the season has to offer before it’s over.
I find, though, that a lot of people think preparing their homes for fall is all about decorating. I love a pumpkin and cozy throw as much as anyone, but I think the decorating comes one step later.
Before you pull out your favorite fall blankets or stage the porch with pumpkins, give your home a proper seasonal clean.
What should you clean before fall?
If you’re putting together a fall cleaning checklist, focus first on the parts of your home that are about to work harder as the weather cools. That means cleaning and resetting the kitchen and pantry, clearing gutters and outdoor spaces, checking your HVAC system and safety alarms and getting closets and bedding ready for cooler weather.
You do not have to deep clean every inch of the house. The goal is to take care of the spaces that will matter most over the next few months.
Get the Kitchen Ready for Fall Cooking
Fall is when my kitchen really starts earning its keep. Soups, casseroles, baked goods, holiday meals. If your oven and stove have been getting a little neglected over the summer, now is a good time to reset them.
Clean the Oven and Stove
Start by removing loose crumbs and debris. If your oven racks, stove grates or knobs are removable, clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
For oven interiors, always check the care instructions for your specific appliance before using a DIY cleaning method, especially if you have a self-cleaning or specially coated oven.
On surfaces where it is appropriate, a baking soda and water paste can help loosen baked-on residue. Let it sit before gently scrubbing and wiping the surface clean.
Do the same kind of reset around the stovetop. Remove grease, crumbs and food splatter now so you are not discovering six months of buildup when you’re trying to make Thanksgiving dinner.
Reset the Pantry
Fall also tends to mean more canned goods, baking ingredients and seasonal staples coming into the house.
Take everything out of the pantry and check expiration dates as you go. This is also a good opportunity to group similar items together so you can actually see what you already have before buying more.
Vacuum crumbs and loose debris from shelves, corners and drawers. A dry microfiber cloth can help with shelves that are difficult to reach.
Then wipe down compatible hard surfaces with Cleaning Mama’s All Purpose Cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth, following the product directions. Let everything dry completely before putting food back.
You’ll have a cleaner pantry and, ideally, fewer mystery cans hiding in the back until 2031.
Clear the Gutters Before the Leaves Really Start Falling
Gutters are easy to ignore until they become a problem.
Leaves, dirt, twigs and other debris can collect over time, making it harder for rainwater to move through the gutters and downspouts. Cleaning them before the heaviest leaf fall gives your drainage system a better chance of keeping up.
Remove visible debris with a gutter scoop or similar tool, wearing sturdy gloves to protect your hands. Once the loose material is gone, flush the gutter with water and make sure the downspout is draining properly.
Most importantly: do this only if you can reach the area safely. If the job requires working at a height you are not comfortable with, this is a very reasonable thing to hand over to a professional.
Clean the Porch and Patio Before You Decorate
Your porch or patio is probably about to become home to pumpkins, mums, wreaths and whatever other fall decorations you have been waiting all year to pull out.
It is much easier to clean the space before everything is sitting on top of it.
Start by removing furniture, planters and décor. Sweep away leaves, dirt, cobwebs and other loose debris.
Wipe down the front door, door frame and other compatible hard surfaces with Cleaning Mama’s All Purpose Cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
For porch and patio flooring, use a cleaning method suited to the material. Concrete, natural stone, composite decking and painted wood do not all have the same care requirements.
Let the entire area dry completely before putting your furniture and fall décor back.
Get Your HVAC System Ready for Cooler Weather
Once the windows start closing and the heat comes on, your HVAC system is going to be doing a lot more work.
Start with the easy things you can handle yourself.
Remove dust from vent covers with a vacuum or microfiber cloth. If the covers are removable and the manufacturer says they can be washed, clean them and let them dry completely before reinstalling them.
Use a narrow vacuum attachment to gently remove dust and debris from around the vent opening without pushing the hose deep into the ductwork.
Then check your HVAC filter. ENERGY STAR recommends checking the filter every month, particularly during heavy heating and cooling seasons. If it looks dirty, replace it. At minimum, many filters should be changed about every three months, although your system and filter manufacturer may recommend a different schedule.
This is also a good time to schedule any routine furnace or heating-system maintenance you have been putting off.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
While we’re talking about turning the heat back on, add your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to the fall reset.
Fall is a useful reminder, but these devices should not actually be checked only once a season.
Test smoke and CO alarms every month using the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year when the alarm uses replaceable batteries. Smoke alarms generally should be replaced every 10 years, while CO alarm replacement schedules can vary, so check the manufacturer’s instructions.
While you are up there, gently remove dust from the outside of the alarm according to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Avoid spraying cleaning product directly onto the device.
It is one of those five-minute jobs that is very easy to put off and very much worth doing.
Reset Closets for Sweater Season
Before you refill your closet with sweaters, pants and all the fall colors you’ve been waiting to wear again, give the space itself a clean.
Take clothing out and vacuum the floor, shelves, drawers and corners. This is a good time to look for dust, debris or signs of fabric pests hiding in areas you normally cannot see.
Wipe compatible shelves and drawer interiors with Cleaning Mama’s All Purpose Cleaner and a microfiber cloth, then leave the doors and drawers open until everything is completely dry.
As you put clothes back, decide what you actually want to keep. If something has not been worn in several seasons, fall closet swapping is a convenient time to donate it rather than finding another place to hide it.
If you find active moth damage, clean or launder affected textiles according to their care labels, vacuum the closet thoroughly and address the infestation before putting clean clothing back.
Freshen the Bed and Bedding
Your bed deserves a seasonal reset too.
Strip the bedding and wash everything according to the care instructions. Vacuum the mattress using an upholstery attachment, paying attention to seams and crevices where dust and debris can collect.
If your mattress manufacturer allows it, you can sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the surface, leave it for a short time and vacuum it thoroughly to help freshen the mattress.
Then make the bed with clean sheets and whatever heavier blankets or comforters you are bringing back for fall.
Seasonal allergens can also shift as summer turns into fall, so regular vacuuming and laundering can help reduce the dust, pollen and pet dander that collect in bedrooms over time.
Now You Can Decorate
Once the cleaning is done, then comes the fun part.
Your home is reset and ready for all the fall decorating you have been waiting to do.
- Use scent to set the mood. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cedarwood, pine, patchouli, cardamom, clove and vanilla all feel especially cozy this time of year. If you use essential oils, follow the product directions and make sure the way you use them is appropriate for everyone in your household, including pets.
- Swap lightweight textiles for heavier ones. Bring out knits, wool, velvet and warmer textures in deeper reds, browns, creams and woodsy greens.
- Bring some of the outdoors inside. Chrysanthemums, dried leaves, branches, small gourds and pumpkins are an easy way to make a room feel seasonal without completely redecorating it.
The point of fall cleaning is not to make your home perfect before the season starts.
It is to clear away what you no longer need, take care of a few things that are easier to handle now and create a home that feels ready for the months ahead.
Fall Cleaning FAQs
What should be on a fall cleaning checklist?
A fall cleaning checklist should focus on areas that will get more use as temperatures cool, including the kitchen, pantry, heating system, vents, closets and bedding. It is also a good time to clean gutters and outdoor living areas and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
When should I start fall cleaning?
You can start fall cleaning in late summer or early fall, ideally before temperatures drop significantly and before you begin putting out seasonal décor. Outdoor tasks such as cleaning gutters and patios are usually easier to handle before colder or wetter weather arrives.
What should I clean before decorating for fall?
Clean the spaces where your decorations will go first. That may include the front door, porch, patio, mantels, shelves and other high-use surfaces. It is also a good opportunity to vacuum, dust and declutter before adding more seasonal items to the room.
How do I prepare my kitchen for fall?
Start by cleaning the oven and stovetop, wiping down high-use surfaces and clearing expired or unused food from the pantry. Organizing pantry staples can also make fall and holiday meal planning easier.
Should I clean my gutters in the fall?
Yes. Cleaning gutters before and during periods of heavy leaf fall can help keep water moving through the gutter system. If your gutters cannot be reached safely, hire a professional rather than taking unnecessary risks.
How often should I change my HVAC filter?
Check the filter monthly and replace it whenever it appears dirty. Many filters should be changed at least every three months, although your HVAC system or filter manufacturer may specify a different schedule.
How often should smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be tested?
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested monthly. Replace batteries at least once a year when they use replaceable batteries and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing the alarm itself.
How can I make my home feel like fall without completely redecorating?
Start small. Swap in heavier blankets or pillows, bring in a few natural seasonal elements such as pumpkins or branches and use warm fall scents if they work for your household. A freshly cleaned and decluttered space often needs much less decorating to feel seasonal.
Seasonal maintenance guidance should be adapted to your specific home, appliances and manufacturer instructions. Hire a professional for tasks that cannot be completed safely.