9 Fall Cleaning Tasks You Shouldn’t Neglect
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Spring cleaning gets all the fanfare, but fall arguably earns it more. In the next few months, you’ll close the windows, turn on the heat, and cozy up as the cooler weather sets in. That makes early fall the right moment to deal with the spots that quietly collect dust, dirt, and moisture all summer. Most of these tasks are easy. Most of them are also the first things people skip, but do so at your own risk — some of these chores can prevent major problems down the line.
Make Sure Your Furnace Has a Clean Filter
Shorter, cooler days are a good reminder to check the filter in your HVAC system. Just because you haven’t been using your furnace doesn’t mean its filter is clean — and a dirty one is bad for the appliance, your health, and your energy bills. Some filters are reusable and others need replacing, so swap in a fresh one or clean it per the directions before you run the furnace for the first time. That way you’re not circulating a season’s worth of trapped grime through the house.
Dust Everything Above Eye Level
With the windows open all summer, dust and pollen drift in and settle on the surfaces you never look at, like ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, the tops of doors and cabinets, and more. Left alone, it can end up back in the air you breathe once the house is sealed up. Make sure to work top to bottom so you’re not redusting what you’ve already cleaned. Don’t forget to look at the tops of your curtain rods — it can get very dusty up there. Take down and wash your curtains, too. You probably don’t do that often enough.
Clear the Gutters
Go ahead and get out the ladder, because this seasonal chore is too risky to ignore. Leaves and debris clog gutters, and clogged gutters send water where it shouldn’t go: down your walls, into your roof or foundation, or backing up into ice dams once temperatures drop. All that debris can also attract pests. You don’t want to deal with any of these scenarios — or gutters that fail entirely — so be sure to clear them out before the weather turns, and check that the downspouts point away from your house.
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Clean the Dryer Vent
Lint doesn’t just collect in the trap — it builds up in the duct behind the dryer, where it restricts airflow, makes the machine work harder (and drives up your energy bills), and becomes a fire risk. Failure to clean is the leading factor behind home clothes-dryer fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Fall is a good time to pull out the machine, clear the duct, and check that the exterior vent is opening freely and working properly.
Rinse the Washing Machine, Too
While you’re in the laundry room, take a moment to give your washing machine a good cleaning. Soap, fabric softener, and minerals from hard water can build up, creating odors and making your machine less efficient. Run the machine’s own cleaning cycle or a hot cycle with a dedicated washing-machine cleaner — many manufacturers advise against plain vinegar in the drum, since its acidity can wear down rubber seals and hoses over time. Wipe rubber gaskets and empty the drain trap (if your machine has one) while you’re at it.
Make Sure the Fireplace Is Ready To Go
Don’t light the first fire of the season on top of last winter’s ashes. Vacuum or sweep leftover ash and wipe down the glass and surrounding surfaces. You should also get your chimney inspected before you use it: The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a professional inspection at least once a year, regardless of how much you use the fireplace, to check for creosote buildup, animal nests, and other blockages that may go unnoticed to the naked eye.
No chimney? Gas and electric units still need to be prepped. If you have a gas unit, clean the firebox of any dust (including on the lava rocks or decorative logs), wipe down the glass with a specialized fireplace glass cleaner, and have it professionally serviced once a year to check the burner, venting, and gas connections. Electric fireplaces have no flames or fuel, so maintenance usually means dusting the heater vents to prevent overheating and inspecting the cord for damage before plugging it in again for the winter.
Clean Seasonal Items Before You Store Them
Patio cushions, pool gear, summer decor, and window AC units tend to get shoved into the garage as-is, but anything put away dirty or damp can get moldy over the months it’s in storage. Take the time to clean everything properly and dry it completely before storing in sealed containers rather than cardboard, which holds moisture. Future you will thank yourself for this foresight.
Wipe Down Window Tracks
Window tracks are easy to skip when you clean the glass, which is exactly why they collect a summer’s worth of dust, pollen, and — where moisture lingers — mold. Vacuum out loose debris, then wipe the tracks with a diluted vinegar solution, using a small brush to reach the corners. It’s a quick (and visually satisfying) job that keeps a mildew problem from setting in over a damp winter. While you’re at it, go ahead and clean both sides of your windows — come winter, you’ll want all the light you can get.
Refresh Your Entryway Mat
Your doormat is about to face its hardest season: mud, wet leaves, and salt tracked in on every pair of shoes. A mat already clogged with old grime can’t trap much new dirt, so it just moves it onto your floors. Shake out your current mat, vacuum it, and run washable mats through the laundry — then do it again a few times over the winter.
A fall reset isn’t glamorous, but it pays off all season. Handle these while the weather’s still mild and your calendar isn’t buried under holiday plans, and you’ll spend the next few months in a cleaner, better-sealed, lower-maintenance house.
Fall Cleaning Essentials
Featured Image Credit: © Blake Cheek/Unsplash.com
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Erin Scottberg is a Brooklyn-based writer, garden designer, and houseplant expert — and the founder of Full Sun Studio (fullsun.studio), a garden design and plant consulting studio in New York City. She holds an Urban Horticulture Certificate from Brooklyn Botanic Garden, an NYC Street Tree Pruner License, and an NYC Master Composter Certification, and spent three years as Head of Content and Education at The Sill. When she's not working, you can find her creating in her textile studio, running craft nights in her neighborhood, or hanging with her rescue pup, Sunny. She's an ambitious DIYer, avid composter, and has never been able to walk by a thirft store without taking a look.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
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