Spring gets all the credit for cleaning, but I think fall is the better season for it. Once the windows close and the heat comes on, you will be inside for months. Whatever dust, damp, and grime is in the house stays there with you, and the air gets drier and closer.
So each October I go through the house one room at a time, with a short list for each. The list is the secret. Without it, I scrub one oven and then wander off, and the closets never get done. Take this one room per day or per weekend, whichever suits your energy, and tick the lines as you go.
Gather your supplies once so you are not hunting for them room to room. I keep these in a bucket: a few clean cloths, a dry dust cloth, a vacuum with attachments, dish soap, white vinegar in a spray bottle, baking soda, rubber gloves, and a step stool.
Open the windows as you work, and clean from top to bottom, so the dust that falls lands on the floor you have yet to do. Remember the basic safety rules. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia, test any new product on a hidden spot, and keep every bottle away from children and pets.
The Kitchen
The kitchen collects grease, and grease catches dust, so start there while you have the most energy.
- Empty the pantry shelves, wipe them down, and check dates. Move what you use most to the front.
- Wipe the tops of the cabinets and the refrigerator, where sticky dust gathers.
- Pull the refrigerator forward if you can, and vacuum the coils and the floor behind it.
- Wash the oven door and racks. The glass is easy with the paste method in our guide to cleaning oven glass without harsh chemicals.
- Run the dishwasher empty with a cup of vinegar on the top rack, only if your maker allows it.
- Soak the range hood filter in hot water with dish soap if it is metal mesh, and check the maker’s notes first.
- Wash the trash can and the compost pail, and let them dry in the sun.
- Scrub the sink and the faucet, and wipe the cupboard handles.
The Bedrooms
Bedrooms hold fabric, and fabric holds dust.
- Strip the beds and wash the sheets, blankets, and pillow covers.
- Turn and rotate the mattress if the maker recommends it, and vacuum its surface.
- Wash or air the pillows and comforters, according to their labels.
- Take down the curtains, wash them by the label, and wipe the rods and windowsills.
- Vacuum under the bed and behind the dressers, then wipe the baseboards.
Closets deserve a special pass. This is the time to take everything out, check for dampness, and rinse out any stale smell, as described in how to freshen a musty closet before winter. Sort clothes while you are there, and fold winter sweaters into breathable bags or boxes once they are fully dry. Anything you did not wear this year can be given away. Check the labels on curtains before washing. Heavy, lined, or dry-clean-only curtains should be vacuumed with a soft brush and aired outside instead.
The Bathroom
Bathrooms are damp year round, so a deeper clean pays off.
- Wash the shower curtain and liner, or replace the liner if it has black spots.
- Clear the drains of hair with a plastic drain tool or a gloved hand.
- Wipe the exhaust fan cover and, with the power off, brush the dust from the blades.
- Go through the medicine cabinet and set aside expired medicine for a pharmacy take-back program.
- Soak the showerhead and faucet if water flows unevenly, then wipe the chrome dry.
- Scrub the grout lines with a toothbrush and a baking soda paste.
Keep vinegar away from natural stone surfaces, and do not combine bleach with other cleaners in this small room.
Living Areas and the Entry
These are the rooms where the family spends the winter evenings, so they get the most use.
- Vacuum the sofa cushions, and the space under them, where crumbs and coins hide.
- Dust the tops of bookcases, picture frames, and ceiling fans. Hold a pillowcase around the fan blade, and pull it back so the dust stays inside.
- Wash the windows inside, and clean the sills and tracks.
- Dust the radiators or baseboard heaters before you turn the heat on, because burning dust makes a smell for the first few days.
- Shake out and wash the throw blankets, and wash or vacuum the sofa covers if they come off.
- Clean out the entry. Wipe boots, shake the mats, and set a tray for wet shoes so snow and mud stay off the floors.
Safety and Systems
This part is not about looks, but it matters most.
- Replace the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them. The clocks change in the fall, which is a good reminder.
- Change the furnace filter.
- Clear the lint from the dryer vent and the area behind the dryer.
- Check weatherstripping around doors and windows for gaps.
- Put away the garden hoses and cushions, and store them dry.
Here in Vermont the first frost reminds me that the time for these jobs is short, so I do the outdoor ones early, on the mild days. If you rent or the house is very old, ask before touching vents, wiring, or the heating system, and leave anything you are not sure about to someone qualified.
Take your time and stop when you are tired. A job done over a few good days beats a rushed one.
Quick-Fire FAQ
How long does a fall deep clean take?
Plan on one room per day, or about a week of weekends. Each room takes two to four hours, and the kitchen and bedrooms usually take longest. Short sessions with rests work better than one exhausting day.
What should I clean first?
Start with the kitchen, since it is the heaviest job. Always work from the highest places down to the floors.
Do I need special cleaners for this checklist?
No. Dish soap, white vinegar, and baking soda cover almost everything here. Use them separately, and never with bleach.
Is it better to clean in fall or spring?
Both help, but fall comes before months of closed windows, so the dust you remove now is dust you will not breathe all winter. It also readies the house for the holidays and for guests.
— Grandma Gigi
