Tag: fall cleaning

It’s Time to Reset Your Fall Routine

Posted on by Jordank

You’ve probably noticed that the days are getting shorter and the temperatures (a bit) cooler. The kids have returned to school and the merchandise on the store shelves has a sepia-toned, spooky or pumpkin-spice bent. And even if the first leaf hasn’t changed color, it’s fall.

As your rhythms adjust to the available daylight, you may feel a desire to change other parts of your routine. It’s “a temporal landmark—a moment in time that separates one’s past self from one’s present self, making it easier to adopt new habits,” says Calendar.com.

While summer is more freewheeling, school and work schedules rule the fall. Cooler weather makes it easy to get a good night’s sleep, cook comfort meals and exercise. And just like the trees shed their leaves, you can shed the habits that no longer work for you.

Begin with reflection. Ask yourself what summertime habits might undermining your energy and productivity. Perhaps you need to cut down on screen time, make a list of to-dos ahead of the holidays or get to work on a household project before the first snow.

Align your habits with the flow of the season. The early sunset might inspire an earlier bedtime — and there’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. Nights out with friends might morph into quiet nights around a firepit. Burgers on the grill might turn into hearth-warming butternut squash casseroles.

One way to meet the fall season is to #declutter. Items such as coolers, outdoor games, pool toys, sporting goods and tents won’t get much use in the months ahead, so #organize the keepers for #storage and #donate the things you don’t want to ClothingDonations.org.

The same goes for clothing. Designers debut the new fall fashions as the weather changes to drive sales, abandoning summer clothing to the clearance bin. You can do the same as you pull out your cool-weather clothing — decide what to keep, store, wear, donate and trash.

The changes you make to meet the season don’t have to be massive to have a positive effect. Even a tiny bit of #decluttering or a few extra hours of sleep can improve your outlook on life. Make a few small, attainable goals and stick to them for the season. Have a happy fall!

Start Planning Your Fall Projects Now

Posted on by Jordank

Another long weekend is on the books, and even though most of the country can look forward to another month or two of temperate weather, fall will be here soon. That’s why everyone should start planning — or doing — their fall projects now.

While spring and summer tend to be the busiest times of year for home improvement and renovation, fall offers relatively mild and consistent weather for DIY projects. In other words, it’s less likely you’ll be withering under the oppressive heat or dodging heavy rainstorms.

If you need to hire some help, you’re in luck: Business starts to slow down for most contractors in the fall, so you will probably have an easier time finding a qualified professional and the materials you need for a project. You may even get a price break!

Work from the outside in, Thumbtack’s Dave Steckel told The Spruce, winterizing your home and garden for the first freeze, then turning attention to interior projects. “The idea is to get ready for winter in the fall, because we never know when the weather will change,” he said.

Depending on your situation, painting, tuckpointing, roofing, gutter cleaning and HVAC maintenance may be on the list of exterior to-dos. All are essential to protecting the home and its occupants against the elements, so get them on the calendar now.

Once you have these handled, turn your attention to the interior of the home. Common projects include interior painting, floor and tile installation, lighting installation, bathroom remodeling, and home #cleaning and #organizing.

The Organizing Blog recommends a thorough #decluttering of any spaces you’ll be fixing up. Not only will it make completing your fall projects easier, reducing #clutter can beautify the space long after those projects are complete. #Donate any extra #stuff that you don’t need to ClothingDonations.org.

You’ll be spending more time indoors when fall and winter roll around; make your space more livable and efficient before the temperatures start to drop.

Declutter as You Deep-Clean for Fall

Posted on by Jordank

Now that you’ve done the hardest parts of the home, you can tackle the bedrooms and living areas. Start by refreshing any bedding that doesn’t get washed regularly, Apartment Therapy says, such as comforters and pillows. Vacuum the mattresses, and swap warm-weather bedding for cold. In the closets and dressers, switch out seasonal clothing, culling out any you no longer use and #donating them to ClothingDonations.org. In living areas, dust flat surfaces, wash baseboards and vacuum upholstered furniture thoroughly. Finally, #clean your screens and remotes, and kick back for some binge-watching. You’ve earned it! #FallCleaning

Deep-Cleaning the Bathrooms in Your Home

Posted on by Jordank

Any area that sees water and steam is likely to get dirtier faster than the rest of the house, so #fall is a great time to #deep-clean the bathrooms in your home. Go beyond the usual scrubbing of the porcelain fixtures, says Housewife How-Tos: Remove and wash shower curtains and/or descale glass shower enclosures. Clear, clean and #declutter bathroom shelves and cabinets. Clean drains, mirrors and grout. Wash all textile items such as towels and rugs. Vacuum the exhaust fan, wash down the walls with a mild cleansing solution (warm water and white vinegar works well), and finally, sweep and mop thoroughly. #FallCleaning

Deep-Clean Your Kitchen for Fall Cooking

Posted on by Jordank

The first stop on a #fall #cleaning checklist is likely going to be the kitchen, which will see some heavy usage as the holidays approach. Start by #decluttering pantry items and countertops, says Unexpectedly Domestic; there are likely dozens of items you don’t need to sort through every time you cook something — including expired ingredients. Then move on to a deep-clean of the refrigerator (inside, outside and coils), the microwave, the dishwasher, and the oven and stovetop. For a fresh-smelling and sanitary environment, clean and #disinfect garbage cans and drains, and wipe down the walls with a mild cleansing solution to rid them of grease and dust. #FallCleaning