Take charge of your autumn cleaning with this free printable Fall Cleaning Checklist!
Remember last spring when I shared my printable Spring Cleaning Checklist? Well you guessed-it, it’s time for a Fall Cleaning Checklist!
Just like spring cleaning, fall cleaning is the perfect time to give your home a good refreshing. It not only helps you deep clean those areas that may be looked over on a day to day basis, but also allows you to get your home ready for winter. (Like switching your ceiling fan direction to help save energy!) It is also the ideal time to get your home ready for any holiday guests or entertaining you might do.
How to schedule fall cleaning
This fall cleaning checklist is very thorough. Not all items may apply to your home. Even though the list can be intimidating, I suggest taking the time to work through it in batches, (like my 7 day spring cleaning challenge.)
There is no rule that says you have to do it all in one day or even one weekend! Here are a few different ways you can plan to schedule your fall cleaning:
- Tackle one zone a day
- If you have a multi-level home clean one level at a time
- Take a weekend and knock out the entire list
- Tackle one or two zones a week, doing a few tasks each day or as you have time
- Assign family members to a zone and everyone cleans until their zone is finished
Fall Cleaning Checklist
Living Areas
- Open windows
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Remove and launder curtains, pillows, and throws
- Replace light blankets and throws with heavier ones
- Vacuum sofas and chairs, including under cushions
- Spot clean upholstered furniture
- Dust shelves, furniture, and decor, including wall decor
- Clean lamps and lampshades
- Dust electronics
- Wipe down doors, knobs, switches, trim, and baseboards
- Wash windows and screens including window sills
- Vacuum all flooring
- Shampoo carpets
- Wash or dry clean rugs
- Mop hard floors
- Wash vent covers, vacuum out vents if necessary
Kitchen
- Empty drawers and cabinets, wipe down interiors and vacuum tops of cabinets
- Organize and declutter as you refill drawers and cabinets
- Wash cabinet doors and knobs
- Clean and organize pantry
- Clean oven and stovetop
- Wipe down microwave inside and out
- Clean and organize refrigerator and freezer
- Check expiration dates on all food
- Vacuum under fridge and coils on back of fridge
- Clean and sanitize countertops
- Wipe down backsplash
- Clean dishwasher
- Wipe down sink & clean drain
- Dust decor and light fixtures
- Wipe down doors, knobs, switches, trim, and baseboards
- Vacuum and mop flooring
Laundry Room
- Wipe down washer and dryer exterior
- Clean washing machine
- Clean dryer
- Clean flooring and organize any cabinets
Bedrooms
- Clean out dresser drawers and organize contents
- Switch out summer clothes for fall/winter clothing
- Clean closet and organize clothing and shoes
- Flip mattress if needed
- Sprinkle mattress with baking soda and vacuum
- Wash pillows and duvets
- Air out mattress pad
- Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Wipe down doors, knobs, switches, trim, and baseboards
- Wash windows and screens including window sills
- Launder curtains
- Dust furniture, decor, and wall art
- Wash vent covers, vacuum out vents if needed
- Vacuum floors
- Shampoo carpets
- Mop hard flooring
Bathrooms
- Empty and wipe out all cabinets and drawers
- Organize contents as you replace them
- Check expiration dates on all medicines and makeup
- Wash exterior of cabinets and vanities
- Dust light fixtures
- Wipe down mirrors and frames
- Wipe down and sanitize counters and sinks
- Clean tub and drain
- Clean toilet, inside and out
- Clean hinges of toilet lid and bolt covers on toilet base
- Wipe down doors, knobs, switches, trim, and baseboards
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Reseal grout if needed
Outdoors
- Wash thresholds
- Sweep porches, patios, and walkways
- Clean doormats
- Powerwash driveway and home exterior as needed
- Clean gutters
- Washing light fixture covers as needed
Did I miss anything on the list? Let me know in the comments!
Selene Valencia says
Your check list was very helpful. You’re an awesome house cleaner.
Melissa Riker says
So glad it was helpful for you!
Sarah says
Love this checklist, I need helpful reminders like this every season. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa Riker says
You’re so welcome Sarah, I’m glad it helped!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
Our bedroom seems to be a collector of dust bunnies! It must be something about the way the air circulates in that space, but it seems like a day after I have vacuumed, those dreaded dust bunnies reappear. Anyway, I’ll be curious to hear what you think of your new BISSELL! Especially since I know you have those pesky fur-balls to deal with! (Though your fur-babies look well worth the fur-balls.)
Melissa Riker says
Thanks Lauren! So far I’ve been super impressed with the BISSELL and I’m planning in writing a full review after I use it a couple more weeks!
MJ says
Great list thank you!!
Melissa Riker says
You’re so welcome MJ!!
Vanessa says
Oh man, I am the worst with vacuums! I swear we have to replace ours a few times a year. I totally blame my golden too!
Gwen says
OMG… we have so much pet hair, it’s ridiculous!
Great printable, girlie! I’m trying to get the garage cleaned up today, so we can start parking inside when the cold weather comes. It’s a flippin’ mess!
Melissa Riker says
Thanks Gwen! We just did our garage a couple weeks ago because there had been done vehicle break-ins in our neighborhood. It was a mess of my projects!
Crystal says
Thanks for the cleaning checklist. I need to get started on it. I have two rottweilers that are inside dogs. They are constantly shedding. With the fur they lose everyday, I have to vacuum twice a day. We have tile and hardwood floors so the fur flies everywhere. Frustrating! I’ll be looking forward to your review on the vacuum. We are about due for a new one. Thanks for the great post!
Melissa Riker says
We have the same problem-out entire first floor is wood and its like tumbleweeds of fur everywhere!
Amanda @ Dreamsicle Sisters says
My kitchen is the hardest area to clean. We have slate floors…beautiful but a bear to keep clean!
Melissa Riker says
That’s good to know Amanda, we have wood laminate on our entire first floor and it was a horrible choice for the wet areas. We had talked about doing slate down the line but I didn’t know it was hard to keep clean-ill have to research more!
Heather @ Southern State of Mind says
Great checklist! I actually just walked around my house yesterday and started a list of things that needed to be done. What’s up with the cobwebs this time of year?!?!? Thanks for the list!
Melissa Riker says
Oh my goodness Heather I feel like our house is taken over by spiderwebs lately! It’s like nature is doing my Halloween decorating for me!
Jacque says
This check list is perfect for me right now. I’m in midst if nesting and will be printing this off now!
Melissa Riker says
Oh how I remember nesting-some if my most productive times!
Amanda says
Thanks for the check-list, that will come in handy or me. I’m curious to see how the vacuum works our for you because I’m in need of one and am totally picky with vacuums. The hardest place for me to clean would be our living room couch. Our kitty sleeps on her bed on the couch, but for some reason there’s always hair all around the couch – ugh I hate it!!
Thanks again 🙂
Melissa Riker says
I’m going to use it for 2-3 weeks and give a full report! It’s supposed to be great for pet hair and so far I’m really impressed.