Fall is right around the corner and it is time to start cleaning up the house in order to prepare for the long winter ahead. Cleaning before going into a chilly winter will help lighten the mood before the “winter depression” sets in. These easy tips will get you on the right track:
- Wash all the windows: use glass cleaner with a fresh smell. Pick a cloudy day so you can see the streaks better.
- Vacuum dusty canvas, cotton and treated fabric blinds: use a low setting with a brush attachment to make sure these are free of summer dusts. For vinyl shades, wipe them down with a dampened microfiber cloth.
- Clean the walls: dust, wash, and rinse walls to ensure all the grime is gone.
- Clean ceiling-mounted fans and lights: control the dust in your home by cleaning these fixtures.
- Vacuum furniture and cushions.
- Wipe down the kitchen cupboards: empty them, wash them down, replace liners, declutter and reorganize
- Steam-clean the carpets: if they are really bad consider hiring a professional service.
- Straighten up the closets: switch out your summer clothes for fall and winter apparel and declutter and donate what you don’t wear anymore.
- Test smoke and carbon dioxide monitors.
- Outside: make sure to rake and dispose of leaves.