Sarasota FL Fall Cleaning Checklist
When the leaves start to fall, the sun rises a little later and the evenings are crisp, you know it’s fall. With the changing of the seasons can come a changing of décor and wardrobes, uncovering areas that may not have been exposed or visible before, and areas in need of a good cleaning. The changing of the seasons is a good reminder for deep cleanings. Just follow our easy fall cleaning checklist to head into autumn in sparkling shape!
From the Outside In
Making sure the outside of your home is clean is just as important as the inside, especially as temperatures drop and new weather blows in. Start by clearing out the gutters. Move on to checking the weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows. As you clean, make sure the stripping or caulking does not need to be replaced as this can drive up your heating bill. Wipe down patio furniture and store any garden hoses. If you choose to winterize your swimming pool, drain it and protect the equipment (especially if the temps dip below freezing at night).
Inside Look
Once the exterior of your home is ready for fall, it’s time to tackle in the interior. Wash all windows with a glass cleaner – this is easier on a cloudy day so that you can catch any streaks. Dust, vacuum and/or wash window treatments. This includes fabric blinds, plastic or wood blinds and drapes. Always check the drape labels for washing instructions; some are machine washable, while others will need to visit the dry cleaners.
Cleaning the walls and baseboards is another important yet often over-looked task. You’ll want to dust them first, then wipe them down. The same is true for light fixtures and ceiling fans. A vacuum with an attachment may come in handy for fixtures on the ceiling or high on a staircase. In the kitchen, this is a good time to wipe down all the cabinets. Maybe even go through the cabinets to reorganize and wipe down the shelves. Pull appliances away from the wall so that you can clean under them and around their parts, particularly refrigerator condenser coils.
From the Ground Up
Turn your attention to the flooring and furniture. Vacuum upholstered furniture and consider the last time you had the carpets professionally cleaned. If it’s been a while or there are stubborn stains, schedule the cleaning. The same is true for wooden floors. Have a professional help you fill in or sand any scuff marks or scratches.
Take this opportunity to tidy up, not just clean. Go through the closets and organize clothing so that it’s easy to find, and consider donating clothes that aren’t worn anymore. Do the same in the attic. Straighten your home office or desk, including dusting the computer (with an electronics-safe duster).
Use seasonal cleanups as a reminder to replace the air or furnace filters, sweep chimneys and test smoke and carbon dioxide alarms. Keeping these on a seasonal schedule will help you remember to do them!
HouseMaids Make Fall House Calls
Could your home use a little seasonal spruce up? Call HouseMaids at (941) 953-4300 today, or request a free estimate online. We guarantee our cleaning and your satisfaction. We offer one-time cleanings, like a fall or spring cleaning, as well as regularly scheduled home cleanings. Let us help you start fall with a clean slate, and spend your free time with friends and family, not cleaning your house!