6 Things You Should Clean This Fall

For those unfamiliar with the “October Theory” making the rounds on social media, it’s a goal-setting concept that can be applied to homemaking. The theory is that people are more motivated to make changes and adopt new habits during the fall, which makes sense given that autumn is all about change!

Two images side-by-side: (1) a person tossing autumn leaves into the air, and (2) a hand cleaning a mantel with a cloth

With October Theory in mind, I’ve come up with a list of essential cleaning and organizing tasks that will help you take advantage of this special season and prepare for the holidays ahead. Find out which 6 things you should clean this fall below!

Jillee’s Take:

Fall is a great time to clean your home thoroughly ahead of the busy holiday season. It’s also an opportunity to redo those biannual cleaning tasks you took care of during spring cleaning, like cleaning your windows and rotating your mattresses.

6 Things You Should Clean This Fall

A woman making a bed with cozy blankets and pillows

1. Your Bedding

It’s time to take out the cozy bedding, blankets, and throws that have been stored away since springtime. Warmer and heavier materials like flannel, fleece, and wool will help keep you feeling comfortable and cozy throughout the cold months ahead.

While you’re at it, be sure to launder your warm-weather bedding before putting it into storage. (If that involves stained or yellowed fabrics, my tips on restoring stained and yellowed linens will be useful!)

2. Your Outdoor Furniture And Tools

If winter means snow where you live, be sure to clean your outdoor furniture, garden tools, lawn games, and other outdoor gear this fall. Many outdoor items can be cleaned at your local car wash quickly and easily.

Don’t forget about important seasonal maintenance tasks like cleaning the gutters. Spending an afternoon cleaning up your outdoor areas is sure to be time well spent.

Two images side-by-side, both of a washing machine. One image is the whole machine, and the other image focuses on the inside of the machine.

3. Your Washing Machine

You can’t expect spotless laundry from a grimy washing machine, so it’s important to clean your washer every three months or so. Review how to clean your washing machine and top-load washing machine to ensure you have everything you need ahead of time. It’s not difficult, as the machine does most of the work!

4. Your Bathtub

Is there anything nicer than a warm bath when it’s cold out? Get your tub ready for those blissful soaks using my homemade shower cleaner, and grab a broom to make it a pain-free tub-cleaning.

In the coat closet, clothes hanging on a rack include a denim jacket, a green jacket, a red coat, and a gray coat with a fur-trimmed hood. A wicker basket sits neatly on the nearby shelf.

5. Your Closet

Rotating the contents of your closet, dressers, or both on a seasonal basis is an easy way to make the most of your clothing storage space. Get out your boots, coats, and scarves, then wash and store your tank tops, shorts, and sandals. If your closet needs organizing, these brilliant closet hacks can help you get your closets under control.

6. Your Ceiling Fans

Your ceiling fans aren’t only useful in warm weather, so make sure yours are clean and set up correctly for the cold months ahead. Use a pillowcase to clean your ceiling fan in seconds, then toggle the switch on the side of your fan that changes the direction the blades rotate.

In the summer, your ceiling fan should push cool air down to help keep you cool, while in the winter it should draw cool air away from you to keep you warm. And all it takes is the flip of a switch!

Conclusion

Making time to take care of these simple seasonal tasks will help you enjoy all the simple pleasures that fall has to offer while getting you ready for the holidays too. (If you’re feeling extra motivated and could use a more thorough list of cleaning tasks, check out my spring cleaning checklist, which is useful any time of year!)

What would you add to this list?

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Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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