Messy Monday: Fall Cleaning Checklist

Everyone is familiar with spring cleaning, but how many of you do a fall cleaning too? Most of the things that go with a fall cleaning, we tend to do anyways with the approaching winter season. While other things are a repeat of spring cleaning.

Inside Your House

• Wash all of your windows (inside & out actually).
• Dust, vacuum or wash any window coverings.
•Wipe down the walls. 
• Clean light fixtures & ceiling fans.
•Steam or spot clean carpets, rugs & upholstered furniture. 
• Wipe down kitchen cabinetry. 
• Clean refrigerator coils. 
• Organize any closets, swapping summer clothing for winter clothing. 
• Flip all mattresses to equalize the wear.
• Test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors.
• Have the furnace inspected & stock up on filters (replace the filter month during high usage).
• Clean & inspect the chimney & the flue if you have a fireplace or wood burning stove. 
• Clean the dryer exhaust tube & vent of any built up lint. 

Outside Your House
  
• Check weather stripping & caulking around doors & windows, replace if needed. 
•Replace screens with storm windows. 
•Check & clean gutters & downspouts. 
•Clean & store patio furniture, garden hose & children's toys. 
• Close up your pool if you have one. 
•Clear your yard of fallen leaves. 
•make sure you know where the snow shovels are & stock up on sidewalk salt if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow in the winter.