Fall is a great time to give your house a reset before the busiest months of the year arrive. Between school schedules, sports, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and eventually Christmas, the next few months have a way of getting very busy very quickly.

The good news is your fall cleaning checklist doesn't need to involve scrubbing every inch of your house. Focus on the spaces your family uses most, tackle a few seasonal jobs, and get rid of some clutter before holiday stuff starts making its way into the house.

Use this checklist throughout a weekend or spread it across several days. There's no rule that says a seasonal reset has to happen all at once.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the best places to start because fall usually means more cooking, baking, school lunches, and people gathering at home.

• Clean out the refrigerator
• Toss expired food
• Wipe refrigerator shelves and drawers
• Clean the microwave
• Wipe down cabinets
• Clean the oven
• Wipe down small appliances
• Clean underneath countertop appliances
• Organize food storage containers
• Match containers with lids
• Clean out the junk drawer
• Wipe down pantry shelves
• Check pantry expiration dates
• Restock fall cooking and baking staples

This is also a good time to make room in the pantry for soups, baking ingredients, snacks, and other foods your family reaches for more during fall.

Living Room

As everyone starts spending more time inside, give your main living space a quick refresh.

• Vacuum underneath furniture
• Vacuum couch cushions
• Wash throw blankets
• Wash removable pillow covers
• Dust lamps and light fixtures
• Dust shelves and decor
• Wipe down remotes
• Clean windows
• Wipe window sills
• Clean baseboards
• Declutter baskets and storage areas

Before buying new fall decor, pull out what you already own and decide what you actually want to use this year.

Bedrooms

You don't need to completely redo every bedroom for fall. A few simple jobs can make them feel much fresher.

• Wash bedding
• Wash mattress protectors
• Vacuum mattresses
• Rotate mattresses if needed
• Dust nightstands and dressers
• Clean underneath beds
• Vacuum or mop floors
• Declutter nightstands
• Put away summer items you no longer need
• Bring out extra blankets for cooler nights

This is also a good opportunity to finally deal with that chair covered in clothes. We all have one.

Closets

Fall is the perfect time for a closet cleanout because you're already transitioning between seasons.

• Go through summer clothes
• Donate anything you didn't wear
• Check fall clothes for fit
• Check kids' clothing sizes
• Try on coats and jackets
• Check boots and fall shoes
• Wash sweaters that need refreshing
• Organize scarves, hats, and accessories
• Move fall clothing somewhere accessible

Make a list of anything your family actually needs before shopping for new fall clothes.

Bathrooms

Give bathrooms a deeper clean now before the holiday season gets busy.

• Scrub showers and tubs
• Clean shower doors or curtains
• Wash bath mats
• Wash or replace shower curtain liners
• Clean toilets
• Wipe cabinets and drawers
• Toss expired products
• Organize toiletries
• Wash makeup brushes
• Clean mirrors
• Restock toilet paper and basic supplies

If you have a guest bathroom, make sure it's stocked now so you're not scrambling before company arrives later in the season.

Laundry Room

The laundry room can become a dumping ground without anyone noticing.

• Wipe down the washer and dryer
• Clean detergent spills
• Empty the dryer's lint trap
• Vacuum around and behind appliances where safely accessible
• Organize laundry supplies
• Toss empty containers
• Clean laundry baskets
• Create a spot for missing socks
• Put away anything that doesn't belong

Even a 15-minute reset can make this space much easier to use.

Entryway or Mudroom

School bags, sports equipment, jackets, and shoes can take over this area during fall.

• Remove summer shoes you aren't wearing
• Create a spot for backpacks
• Organize sports equipment
• Add a basket for hats and gloves
• Clean out coat closets
• Check jackets for fit
• Wash entry rugs
• Wipe down doors
• Clean frequently touched handles
• Sweep or vacuum floors

Give everything your family uses regularly a designated place. The easier something is to put away, the better the odds that it actually gets put away.

Kids' Spaces

Do a quick reset before holiday gifts and toys start arriving later in the year.

• Toss broken toys
• Donate outgrown toys
• Organize books
• Sort craft supplies
• Throw away dried-out markers
• Clean desks or homework stations
• Organize school supplies
• Wash stuffed animals when appropriate
• Rotate toys if you use a rotation system

Getting rid of unused items now can make the post-holiday toy situation much easier.

Garage

You don't have to organize the entire garage in one weekend.

Focus on transitioning from summer to fall.

• Put away summer toys
• Organize bikes and scooters
• Store pool supplies
• Declutter sports equipment
• Sweep the floor
• Clear the area around the door
• Organize outdoor tools
• Create easy access to fall items

If you live somewhere with colder winters, this is also a good time to start thinking about anything you'll want accessible once temperatures drop.

Outside the House

Take advantage of comfortable fall weather to tackle a few outdoor jobs.

• Sweep the porch
• Clean outdoor furniture
• Wash outdoor cushions before storing them
• Remove dead plants
• Clean outdoor toys
• Wipe down the front door
• Clean exterior light fixtures where safely reachable
• Declutter the porch
• Put away summer items as the weather changes

You don't need to put out a single pumpkin for your front porch to feel refreshed.

Don't Forget These Easy-to-Miss Spots

There are a few places that don't necessarily need weekly attention but are worth checking during a seasonal clean.

• Ceiling fans
• Air vents
• Baseboards
• Door frames
• Light switches
• Door handles
• Window sills
• Under couches
• Under beds
• Behind furniture
• Trash cans
• Pet areas

Choose a few instead of convincing yourself they all need to happen today.

The One-Hour Fall Reset

If you don't have time for the full checklist, set a timer for one hour and focus on five things:

1. Clean out the refrigerator.
2. Declutter the main living area.
3. Start one load of laundry.
4. Go through the entryway and shoes.
5. Fill one bag with things to donate.

That's enough to make a noticeable difference without losing your entire weekend to cleaning.

Fall cleaning doesn't have to mean deep cleaning your entire house from top to bottom. Think of it as getting your home ready for the months ahead.

Clear out summer clutter, organize the spaces that aren't working, refresh the areas your family uses every day, and make a little extra room before the holidays arrive.

Do a few things each day, get the family involved, and stop when you've accomplished enough. The goal isn't a perfectly clean house. It's a home that feels a little calmer and easier to manage heading into a busy fall season.

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