Fall Clean-up

Bedrooms

 

• Remove and set aside items, outside the bedroom door, that do not belong
   
• Place any items back in their assigned spots
   
• Pick up trash and discard

• Vacuum the blinds and/or curtains to dislodge any dust
       -Ceiling edges and corners

• Set aside curtains to launder

• Dust hard surfaces with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth
       -Work from left to right, top to bottom
       -Tv
       -window casings
       -tables
       -shelves
       -and decorations
       -light fixtures
       -ceiling fans
       -switches
       -doorknobs
       -door jams
       -Walls
       -and baseboards
       -Pick up every item, dust, and replace
   
• Polish furniture with wood polish
   
• Polish glass surfaces with glass cleaner and microfiber cloth
       -Mirrors
       -windows
       -light bulbs (when cool first) etc.

• Strip the bed
       -Launder all pillows
       -bedding
       -and mattress pads
       -vacuum the mattress and clean stains while it is bare
       -rotate/Flip mattress (if needed)
   
• Vacuum floor including floor edges and corners
   
• Make your bed
   
• De-clutter closets, switch out summer clothing for fall/winter clothing

Cleaning a child’s bedroom

Help your child with these tasks the first time; go over the tasks and duties necessary; then assign the seasonal task down the road

• Prepare 3 boxes: Trash, Return, and Donate
   
• Trash:
       -from the door, work from left to right picking up trash
       -open drawers as you work to find “trash”
       -look in the closet and under the bed looking for trash
   
• Returns:
       -from the door, work from left to right, as you did above, finding items that belong in other rooms
       -place these items in the return box
   
• Tidy: 
       -from the door, work from left to right, as you did above, and place items where they belong such as:
            -toys
            -dirty clothes in hamper
            -hang or fold and put way clean clothes
   
• Organize school items on desk in stacks
   
• Dust:
        -with a lightly moistened microfiber clothe (not dripping)
       -start from the door, work from left to right, top to bottom
       -wipe the top of each piece of furniture
            -desk
            -dresser
            -shelves
            -nightstand
       -then the sides
       -and then the botto
       -pick up everything as you come to it, and wipe it
   
• Glass:
       -spray a little window spray on the mirror and wipe off the liquid with a microfiber cloth
       -start at the top and go down
   
• Bed:
       -remove the comforter and sheets from the bed
       -place outside your bedroom door
       -don’t remove the mattress pad!
       -remove the pillowcases off the pillow.
       -make your bed with new sheets
                 -pillow cover
                 -and comforter

• Vacuum:  
       -the floor should be clear of toys, cloths and debris now
       -from the door, work from left to right, vacuuming the floor
            -under your bed
             -and inside your closet
       -this is only for dirt, dust and pet hair (do not pick up toys with the vacuum)
   
• Pick up:
       -bring the vacuum and/or hose back to its spot
       -pick up your laundry and bring to the laundry room
       -go through the “returns” box and take each item where it belongs or place in donations box
       -take the garbage to the main garbage
   
• Done

Bathrooms

• Remove and set aside items, outside the bathroom door, that do not belong
   
• Set aside tub toys to be washed in the dishwasher (top rack)
   
• Remove shower curtain & liner to be washed or replaced
   
• Remove bathroom rug to be washed (should be done every 2 weeks)
   
• Pre-treat the toilet, tub and shower walls and let soak, this will make your job easier
   
• Dust the light fixtures above the vanity with a long-handled duster
   
• Remove items from the vanity and clean surface with disinfectant product
       -remove soap build-up with hot water then disinfect
   
• Spray and wipe down faucets and sink basins (to disinfect)
   
• Spray the mirror(s) with window cleaner and wipe (microfiber, towels, newsprint work well)
       -continue, with the same cloth, polishing the faucets
            -sink
            -door knobs
            -light switches
   
• Replace items to the vanity, wiping each item as you go
   
• Replace toothbrushes with new heads
   
• Now, go back to the toilet bowl and clean the inside
       -spray the outside of the toilet with disinfectant cleaner and wipe
       -clean the seat top
            -bottom
            -and hinges
   
• Wipe down the bath tub walls with microfiber cloth
       -pull out any hair from the drain
       -polish fixtures
            -handles
            -and glass doors
   
• Clean shower head
        What you will need  
            -vinegar
            -plastic bag (to fit shower head)
            -elastic or zip tie
            -toothbrush
        How             
            -fill plastic bag with vinegar
            -place bag over the shower head
            -use elastic or zip tie to secure the plastic bag
            -let sit for ~30 mins – 12 hours depending how dirty it is
            -remove plastic bag
            -finish wiping surface with the toothbrush
            - source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFqdgdKIero
   
• Check tile grout and touch up if needed
   
• Move any floor items outside the bathroom (trashcan, weight scale)
   
• Sweep or vacuum the floor
   
• Wash the floor
   
• Remove the trash bag and clean the bin
   
• Replace items to the bathroom
   
• Clean lint out of the hair dryer (using vaccum)
   
• Clean hairbrushes/combs/etc (soak in soapy water to soften and use another brush to clean)
   
• Re-stock toiletries

Kitchen

• Place any items back in their assigned spots
   
• Wash and dry, or place dishes in the dishwasher (empty the sink)
   
• Tidy pantry and throw away expired food
       -check spices and baking needs for freshness
       -vacuum and wipe shelves
   
• Clean dusty areas with long-handled duster
       -light fixtures
       -above cupboards
       -fridge
       -window trim
       -spaces between appliances and walls
   
• Clean grimy spots with microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner
       -cupboards
       -drawer fronts
       -back-splash
   
• Clean the vent hood
       -some filters can be placed in the dishwasher for cleaning

• Wipe appliance fronts and tops and spills on the floor

• Clean small appliances, light switches, and door knobs
   
• Clean the microwave
       -place a glass of water in the microwave
       -run for 1 minute; this will loosen the dirt
       -remove the turntable and wash separately
       -wipe down the interior with a microfiber cloth
       -replace the turntable
   
• Clean the refrigerator
       -remove any spoiled food
       -clean any spills on the shelves or floor
       -clean the drawers and place a paper tower in the drawers for future spills
       -vacuum refrigerator coils
       -move refrigerator to clean underneath
   
• Defrost and clean the freezer
       -remove items and place in coolers
       -clean inside freezer
       -replace items
       -do not over fill – freezers need air flow to work properly
   
• Clean the sink:
       -wash with hot, soapy water and microfiber cloth
       -fill with hot water and ¼ cup bleach (do not mix bleach with household cleaners!)
       -let it sit before draining
            -scrubbing
            -and rinsing
       -pour backing soda in the drain to eliminate lingering smells
       -run a cut lemons and ice through the garbage disposal
   
• Use window spray and microfiber cloth to polish taps
       -sink
       -windows
       -picture frames
       -and appliance fronts
   
• Take out the trash and clean the can
       -let it dry before replacing in kitchen

• Sweep or vacuum the floor.

• Wash the floor using a bucket (not your clean sink)

Living Room

• Place any items back in their assigned spots
   
• Remove blankets to wash
   
• Pick up and disguard trash (pop cans, food wrappers)

• Vacuum the blinds and/or curtains to dislodge any dust
   
• Dust hard surfaces with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth
       -work from left to right, top to bottom
       -pick up every item, dust, and replace
       -Tv
       -window casings
       -tables
       -shelves
       -and decorations
       -light fixtures
       -ceiling fans
       -switches
       -doorknobs
       -and door jams
   
• Polish wood furniture with dry, lint-free cloth 
   
• Use window polish for glass such as:
       -picture frames
       -glass tables
       -fireplace doors
       -windows
   
• Vacuum soft furniture such as:
       -upholstery
            -top, sides and back
            -remove seat cushions to vacuum up crumbs
       -lamp shades
       -and throw rugs
       -vacuum underneath as well, removing cobwebs
           
• Move couches, chairs etc. to clean underneath
• Sweep out and vacuum the fireplace

• Pick up all items outside rooms to be laundered
• Pick up all the unassigned items outside each clean room
• and run a small garage sale (lol) or return items to their proper locations.

Laundry room/ Furnace room

• Clean behind and under the washer and dryer
   
• Vacuum the walls and floor
   
• Replace furnace filter
   
• Schedule a furnace inspection
   

Other

• Vacuum around computer, keyboard, printer, and other electronics (turn off first)
   
• Stock up on candles, matches/lighters, batteries and flashlights
   
• Stock up on sidewalk salt
   
• Test smoke detectors and monoxide detectors, replace batteries
   

Outside the Home

• Check the caulking and weather seals around doors and windows
   
• Check and/or clean the dryer exhaust pipe
   
• Clean gutters and downspouts
   
• Wrap or store outdoor furniture
   
• Pick up and disguard yard debris
   
• Clean light fixtures and replace bulbs if needed
   
• Turn off exterior water taps and store hoses
   
• Pressure wash the house
   
• Touch up areas needing painting
   
• Wash outside windows
   
• Check and repair steps if needed
   
• Cover air conditioner

https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/fall-cleaning-schedule-printable/