(Photo by Shopify Partners from Burst)

Don’t wait for Spring to get your fall home cleaning checklist out! A change in the seasons is a great time to do some deep cleaning around your home. We’re getting ready to move into Fall, which is the perfect time to plan for things that only need to be tackled a few times per year. The checklist is different than the Spring cleaning to-dos, but making the Fall Cleaning a routine will definitely make your Spring clean-up easier, too!

“If you make the changing of the seasons a time to do deep cleaning you will keep on a good schedule all year long,” Anne Ruozzi, co-founder of Therapy Clean, a company manufacturing a line of plant-based specialty cleaning products, told LIST WITH ELIZABETH®. “This will keep your home looking great inside and out.”

Ruozzi shared five of her expert tips for fall cleaning around the home (and don’t miss out on the handy fall home cleaning checklist at the bottom).

Tips for Your Fall Home Cleaning Checklist

Don’t feel overwhelmed

This is the most important first step. It’s easy to look at the amount of cleaning that needs to be done and feel stressed out by it, but the stress will not help the situation, and it won’t help you to get started. “Stay calm and clean on, reminding yourself that there is no rush to get it all done. You can work on a little bit each day,” Ruozzi said.

Use a fall home cleaning checklist

It’s difficult to remember what should be cleaned each season, but by having a fall home cleaning checklist you can simply go down the list and check off what has been done. This will keep you on track as you work over the course of a week or two to ensure that everything gets done. Being organized goes a long way when it comes to cleaning, so a handy list is included right here at the bottom to help!

Start from the top

When doing cleaning, the pros always start from the top and work their way to the bottom, so you should, too! Start with the ceilings, chandeliers, and ceiling fans, and then work your way down. The floor should be the last thing that gets cleaned.

Get the right products 

Forget general-purpose cleaners, instead opting for those that are specific to the job you are doing. Ensuring that you have the right products will help you do the job better and have better results. In fact, this is the exact reason why she and her husband created a product line of natural plant-based cleaners for specific surfaces, including stainless steel, wood and cabinet, granite and stone, tub and tile, and glass cooktop. Opting for green cleaning products also ensures our homes are safer and healthier.

Hire help if you need to

There are many tasks that may be better to get help completing, such as pressure washing the driveway or hiring a window cleaner. It’s okay to go down the list and do what you can do, delegate some tasks to family members, and hire people where necessary.

“The goal is to get it all done, not prove that you can personally do it. Get the products, tools, and help you need to ensure your home is in top shape,” added James Dudra, co-founder of Therapy Clean and Anne’s husband.

Whether you choose Therapy Clean’s products or use other favorites, the pair have provided an excellent fall home cleaning checklist to get you started. Remember, a clean home is a happy home, so don’t wait for Spring to dive into a deep clean on your Springfield or Burke area home!

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FALL CLEANING CHECKLIST

EXTERIOR CLEANING

__ Clean light fixtures.
__ Give the grill a scrubbing.
__ Clean out dryer vents.
__ Windows and screens.
__ Pressure wash the exterior walls of the home.

INTERIOR CLEANING

__ Clean light fixtures. 

__ Clean and wipe down all ceiling fans
__ Clean baseboards, top of doors, and above cabinets. 
__ Clean any heating wall units, baseboards or heating ducts.
__ Cycle out cleaning supplies, unwanted items, etc. 
__ Re-organize and clean out closets. Donate where you can!
__ Safely clean electronics.
__ Vacuum and flip your mattresses.
__ Condition any leather furniture.
__ Wash fake plants (using a 1/2 vinegar / 1/2 water solution, spray on and wipe off).
__ In your kitchen, clean out stove vents
__ Run the grates and covers from gas stove through the dishwasher.
__ Clean out the pantry and donate unwanted (unexpired) items to a local pantry.
__ Clean kitchen cabinets with a 2-in-1, cleaner and polish formula to add protection.
__ Check the spice rack for anything expired. (Tip for cleaning your spice rack* – most pantry spices lose flavor. Rule of thumb and a good starting point is: ground spices last up to 2 years, dried herbs up to 3. Smell the spice for potency and think about writing the date opened on a label on the jar.)
__ Clean under the stove, as well as behind and under the fridge.
__ Empty the fridge and wash all fridge drawers and shelves with warm soapy water. 
__ Wipe off any visible smudges on the walls.