Fall Deep Cleaning Checklist
I love fall. The weather is cool and crisp, and the leaves are changing colors. Autumn is a beautiful time of year. It is also a time of cleaning up and getting ready for winter.
If you’re anything like me, spending much time outside during the summer and the home cleaning is a little bit falling apart, autumn is the perfect season to deep clean the house. Especially if you want your home to look nice and clean to get ready for the holidays.
Follow this fall cleaning checklist and plan your fall cleaning routine to make your stress-free home for the holidays.
As the seasons change, some fall outdoor cleaning and home maintenance tasks are added to this seasonal deep cleaning list.
In this fall cleaning guide, I list all the seasonal chores that you need to clean in your house from room to room, inside and out.
This post contains affiliate links, to find out more information, please read my disclaimer.
Is fall cleaning a thing? Why do I do It?
Many of us close the windows up, turn the heater on, and spend more time indoors in winter. So autumn is a great time to clean our homes to remove any dust, dirt, or debris that could lead to allergies.
No one wants to stay in a dusty house, right? So as fall approaches, it’s time to give our homes a thorough cleaning by cleaning up the dust and dirt that has accumulated over the summer months. This also includes taking care of the things that may have been neglected over the summer.
As we have a long winter here in Ontario and spend lots of time inside the house as a family, the benefits of deep cleaning the house before winter would make us feel more comfortable and enjoyable in our home during the cold weather.
While hosting parties and overnight guests can be stressful, deep cleaning in autumn helps us reduce holiday cleaning stress. Do it now to have a stress-free home for the holidays.
Pre-winter cleaning will make our homes more inviting for guests, which means that we will be able to enjoy spending time with our family and friends over the holidays.
An Ultimate Room-by-Room Fall Cleaning Checklist – Get your home ready for the holidays
A thorough deep clean will refresh your home and get your home cozy for the winter season. This fall cleaning list includes every room in your house and the outdoors as well.
Fall cleaning checklist (deep clean throughout the house):
The following cleaning tasks will help you start the winter with a clean slate.
- Wash windows inside and out
- Clean sliding door tracks/ window sills and tracks
- Clean window screens
- Launder drapes/ Clean blinds
- Wipe down baseboards and trim
- Vacuum vent covers
- Dust ceiling fans
- Dust light fixtures
- Dust shelves and wall hangings
- Wipe down mirrors and picture frames
- Remove cobwebs from ceiling, edges, and corners
- Wipe down and disinfect all light switches, doorknobs, railings, keypads, remote controls, etc.
- Vacuum and wash all floors
- Steam clean carpet
- Replace furnace filter
- Test and change batteries in the smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector
- Schedule an appointment for a chimney sweep if you are not done in late summer
Entryway cleaning checklist:
The entryway is often the first and last place visitors see when entering and leaving your home. Keeping it clean and functional not only gives a good impression but also makes your home feel more inviting.
- Clean or replace doormat
- Wipe down shelves or any furniture
- Store away summer accessories
- Clean your summer shoes before storing them
- Organize coat closet/ coat rack/ shoe rack
- Clean and disinfect high-traffic surfaces like door handles and light switches
Kitchen cleaning checklist:
Decluttering, cleaning, and organizing the kitchen space in the fall will make you enjoy holiday cooking and activities much more.
- Discard any old or expired items
- Wipe down all surfaces (countertops and kitchen table)
- Wipe down top and front of cabinets
- Wipe down cupboard shelves
- Clean out cabinets and drawers
- Clean and organize pantry
- Wipe down inside, outside and top of the fridge
- Organize fridge and freezer.
- Vacuum fridge coils
- Clean range hood and filter
- Deep clean oven
- Wipe down backsplash
- Wipe down microwave
- Deep clean dishwasher
- Clean grout
Living room cleaning checklist:
Clean all furniture, including underneath and behind it. Move everything out if possible, or use a vacuum attachment to clean underneath.
- Declutter and dust decor
- Clean upholstered furniture
- Wash throws and pillows
- Declutter and organize an entertainment center. Purge unused CDs, DVDs, video games, cords and wires, magazines, etc.
Dining room cleaning checklist:
Remove anything that doesn’t belong in the dining room. Give everything a good dusting and wipe down all surfaces.
- Wipe down table and chairs
- Clean chair cushions
- Launder table linens
Related home cleaning posts:
30-Day Spring Cleaning Challenge + Free Printable Checklist
How to Clean Your House Fast and Efficiently
Bedroom cleaning checklist:
A bedroom should be a restful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but it can be hard to relax in a space that’s cluttered and chaotic. This fall, take some time to declutter your bedroom and give yourself the gift of a tranquil oasis.
- Pick things up from the floor and put them back in their proper places
- Wash all summer clothes before packing them away
- Organize closet (Donate unused clothing)
- Wash all bedding (pillows, sheets, mattress covers, duvet covers, blankets, throw pillows, etc.)
- Vacuum mattresses
- Flip/ Rotate mattresses
- Toss expired makeup
- Clean and declutter under the bed
Bathroom cleaning checklist:
Bathroom cleaning can be a daunting task, but with this cleaning list, you can get it done quickly and efficiently.
- Clean sink and counters
- Clean toilets inside and out
- Clean mirrors and decor items
- Clean showerheads
- Wash/ Replace shower curtains
- Wash bathmats
- Scrub bathtubs/ shower
- Toss any expired personal care products
- Organize cabinets
- Stock up on extra toiletries for your overnight holiday guests
Home office cleaning checklist:
A well-organized home office can help you be productive. Fall is a great time to do a deep clean of your home office so you can start the new season fresh.
- Declutter books
- Dust bookshelves
- Recycle or shred old papers that are not useful
- Organize desk drawers
- Wipe down desk and all surfaces
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects like keyboards, headphones, phones, etc.
Laundry room cleaning checklist:
Empty the shelves and cabinets, and wipe them down. Toss the unused items and keep the space organized. Seasonal cleaning of the appliances not only makes them run efficiently but also keeps us safe.
- Clean laundry hamper
- Wipe down shelving and organize laundry supplies
- Clean washing machine inside and out
- Clean lint trap
- Wipe down the exterior of the dryer
- Vacuum behind the machines
Garage cleaning checklist:
Don’t make your garage a dumping ground for all the junk. Clean out the garage and use storage bins to organize the space. Put labels on the bins so you can easily access the items you want in the future.
- Remove anything you don’t want or need anymore. e.g. old paint cans, outgrown clothes, toys and games, sports equipment, empty cardboard boxes, etc.
- Wipe down any shelving
- Clean and organize tools and gardening equipment
- Sweep and wash the floor
Outdoor cleaning checklist:
Outdoor cleaning doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Complete these simple cleaning and maintenance tasks, which will help you get your home ready for the winter.
- Sweep porch and sidewalks
- Clean up your yard. e.g. rack leaves, removing broken branches, etc.
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Put away and store outdoor toys and games
- Clean, cover, or store outdoor furniture
- Clean outdoor lighting fixtures
- Winterize pool and spa
- Winterize and store garden hoses
- Clean the barbecue grill and make it completely dry before covering it
- Repair weather stripping, caulk, and seal windows if needed
- Keep outdoor maintenance equipment clean and store properly
Fall Home Cleaning Ideas and Tips:
You now have the complete fall cleaning checklist on hand, here are some cleaning tips for you.
Check and restock your cleaning supplies. Before you start cleaning, have all your cleaning products and tools on hand.
Make sure you have a plan and prioritize the tasks. There should be some household chores that have been neglected for a long time that you want to tackle first.
Write down what areas of your house need the most work and what is more important than others. Make sure to inspect the outside of the home as well.
Be realistic, and develop a home cleaning schedule that works for you. You may want to spread out the deep cleaning tasks over the coming weekends and tackle some easy household chores during the weekdays.
Keep in mind that there are some fall outdoor cleaning and home maintenance tasks that you can’t skip. Schedule yourself some time for those tasks or hire a professional to tackle them.
By the time when the holidays come, you’ll have a clean and inviting house ready for the family and guests.
To make the cleaning easier, be sure to check out the seasonal deep cleaning tips that will help you deep clean your house fast.
And believe it or not, turning on upbeat music, or listening to an audiobook or podcast you love while doing chores can help pass the time and make the cleaning joyful.
Start cleaning now with this fall deep cleaning checklist to get your home ready for the winter season. Use this autumn home cleaning list as a guide to help you get started and stay on track.
Thanks for these tips! I’ve been using a few of them, and they’ve made my home feel so much cleaner. I’m also scheduling carpet cleaning soon to really deep clean the carpets.
Thanks Shelby. I’m so glad you found these tips helpful.
Thank you so much for sharing, I need to deep clean my house and my mothers home who lives just down the road. I tend to get overwhelmed when taking on such a big task so I found a roll off dumpster rental to keep in the driveway as we clean up our yard, garage, and house in general. I appreciate your comprehensive list of things I would probably forget to do like repairing the weather stripping
Thanks Tammie, I’m so glad you liked this post.