Spring isn't the only time for a big clean. The onset of fall means the holidays are just around the corner. Get your home in tip-top shape before the festive season starts and you'll minimize the risk of nosy relatives (aka your mother-in-law) discovering dust bunnies or disorganized cabinets during their visit.
1. Toss it.
Hold off on the sweeping, steaming and vacuuming. The best way to start a fall clean is by purging your home of any unnecessary items that have accumulated over the summer.
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Grab that recycle bin and get rid of junk mail, magazines and any other unimportant papers that have piled up.
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Pick through kitchen and bathroom cabinets and toss out-of-date products.
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Sort through both summer and fall clothes and donate the pieces that no longer fit or are just out-of-style.
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Find letting go a challenge? Remember out with the old means in with the new.
2. Pack it.
Summer and winter clothes don't need to battle for closet space. Invest in a few plastic storage containers or garment bags to pack away hot weather wear until next year.
3. Steam it.
With the windows open all spring and summer, your carpets and rugs have been exposed to a large dose of dirt. Mere vacuuming isn't going to totally nix the grit. Instead, treat these items to a deep steam clean.
4. Wash it.
You may wash your bedding on a regular basis, but by the end of summer those decorative pillow shams, throw blankets and even the curtains are also begging to be cleaned. Before you dump them all in the washing machine (and create a potential mess), check their labels for the proper care instructions.
5. Store it.
Summer means patio furniture, barbecues and bicycles. Autumn, on the other hand, can take a major toll on all of these items. Give them a chance to last another season by tucking them under furniture covers or hanging them from a storage rack in the garage.
6. Clean it.
Your windows, that is. From spring to fall these babies can accumulate quite the layer of grime. So grab a ladder, snag some cleaning supplies and get down (or up) to business.
6. Scrub it.
Once you've stored, packed, steamed and tossed, it's time to scrub. That means counters, cabinets, shelves and floors. Make the process 10 times easier (and eco-conscious) by stocking up on specialty cleaning supplies like microfiber cloths and steam mops.
7. Organize it.
The final component of a big fall clean is putting everything back in its place -- an organized place. Invest in cabinet, closet and drawer organizers to keep those areas behind closed doors looking just as tidy as the rest of your home.