Hi, friends.
Dare we say it: temps are dipping ever so slightly and the summer light is slowly shifting to fall. As kids go back to school, some businesses go back to the office and we get ready for pumpkin-flavored everything, it’s also a good time for a deep house cleaning.
While cleaning at this juncture tends to get overlooked for the traditional spring scrub, making our homes autumn-ready makes the prospect of more time indoors a moment to savor. Even if hygge isn’t your thing, here’s a fall cleaning checklist with five ways to welcome the cooler months with wide-open arms.
In the kitchen and bathrooms
1. Deep-clean grout, tile and counters
We know. “I love cleaning grout,” said no one ever. But that’s exactly why it’s first on our fall cleaning list. Grab a few old toothbrushes, a bowl of water and bleach and summon your inner tilework warrior to do battle. If bleach isn’t your thing, reach for all-natural cleaners that you can make at home.
2. Get detailed with deep-cleaning wood, granite and other surfaces
If you have wooden cabinets, clean them with a soft cloth and wood-specific product, and follow with a conditioner to keep them shiny and water-resistant for the year ahead. Pull appliances out (from mixing bowls to electric toothbrushes) and wipe out dust, debris and anything else that may have accumulated. For granite surfaces, polish and/or seal countertops before setting that electric razor back on the sink.
3. Clean and polish appliances
When you pull each appliance out, clean blades, knobs, work bowls and surfaces. Wipe down the inside of the oft-neglected dishwasher and clean your oven door and interior (your oven may have a self-clean function, otherwise known as the greatest invention ever). From there, on to the fridge: wipe down the inside, underneath, and top for good measure. Clean the coils, if you have them; some vacuums have attachments that will do the trick.
In the living room, bedrooms and beyond
4. Bedding, carpets and beyond
Start with bedding and rugs: flip those mattresses, wash any bedding that hasn’t seen detergent (or a dry cleaner) in a while, and vacuum or wash every rug and carpet. Next, go for the upholstery and curtains, ideally with a vacuum attachment designed for the job. Finally, dust, clean and polish surfaces, from your bed backboards and legs to bookshelves, credenzas and even plant leaves, plus any other tiny nooks that suffer from benign neglect.
5. Declutter like a boss
Your fall deep clean is a good time to call on some Marie Kondo-style decluttering. No, you don’t have to fold your socks sideways or throw out every untouched spatula in your kitchen drawer. But a thoughtful consideration of what you’ve used in the past year and, indeed, what brings you joy, invites in a fresh mindset for a fresh phase of the year.
However you welcome fall (pumpkin spice latte, anyone?), we wish you a heathy and safe start to the season.
Until next time,
The BRIGS Team
