Here in Alberta, Canada we had our first major dumping of snow this week and with it came the reminder that more cold, snowy days are ahead. But before we head into hibernation with the rest of the great white north, there are a few practical things we do to care for our home each fall that help us to keep it clean and functional throughout the colder months.
Over the years, we have developed a simple list of things we do each fall to care for our home, including some deep cleaning and some routine home maintenance tasks both indoors and outdoors. Today I’m sharing the list of the things we do to care for our home each fall with the hope that it may helpful for you too as we prepare for the chilly days ahead.
Indoor Refresh & Deep Clean
✓ Wash Windows (Inside & Outside)
One part of fall home care that always makes a surprising difference is washing the inside and outside of our windows. I start by opening each window and vacuuming out the window tracks so they are free of dirt and debris. Then I use a simple spray made from white vinegar and a rag or newspaper to clean both the inside and the outside surfaces of glass. This is also a great opportunity to check if the seals, caulking, windowsills and trim around the windows are still in good condition and to replace or repair as needed.
✓ Deep Clean Bedding
Another thing I love to do when working through our fall home care to-dos is to deep clean our bedding, including washing our pillows and mattress cover as well as deep cleaning our mattress. It is always best to follow the care instructions for your particular pillows and mattress cover, but I typically wash both with a mild detergent and let them air dry outside. For the mattress, I usually sprinkle baking soda over top of it, letting it soak into the mattress for about an hour, then vacuum it up using an upholstery attachment.
✓ Wipe Down Baseboards & Trim
It always surprises me how dusty our home gets, including our baseboards and trim. To help keep those dust bunnies at bay, I use a damp rag to wipe down the surfaces of all the baseboards and trim throughout our home. It is a simple task that always leaves our home feeling fresh and clean as we head into the colder months.
✓ Wash Cushion Covers
Something simple that also makes a big difference in keeping our home feeling fresh throughout the winter is washing our couch’s removable cushion covers. Using a mild laundry detergent, I wash the cushion covers on a cool, gentle wash cycle and then hang them outside to dry. I also use this as an opportunity to vacuum up any crumbs or dirt that has made their way into the crevices of our sofa. This helps to keep our couch looking (and smelling) fabulous all year round.
✓ Condition Leather Furniture
Winters can be especially dry here in Alberta, which takes a toll on all sorts of things, including leather. To prevent cracking and excessive wear on our leather furniture pieces, I condition any leather surfaces with this leather conditioner and cleaner. It is super easy to apply and leaves our leather furniture in amazing condition (pun intended).
✓ Deep Clean Appliances
Another important aspect of fall home care is tending to our appliances, which helps them run both more efficiently and more safely over the long run. In addition to cleaning the inside and outside surfaces of all of our appliances, I do a more thorough clean of things like our hood fan and dishwasher filters to keep them functioning well. I also vacuum out our dryer vent, as built up lint can be a fire hazard. Lastly, I rinse out our vacuum filter and let it air dry in the sun for a few days.
Outdoor Seasonal Prep
✓ Clear Gutters & Downspouts
One of the most important tasks to do in the fall is to make sure water can drain away from our home properly. This includes cleaning out gutters so they are free from leaves and debris and making sure any downspouts are down and draining water away from the foundation of our home. We also check that our roof is clear of any branches or leaves that would prevent snow from melting and draining properly.
✓ Garden Prep
As the days get colder and the growing season comes to a close, there are also a few things we do to get the garden ready for the snow that is soon to come. First, we empty the rain barrels we use to collect water throughout the summer, pressure washing them so they are clean and ready to go for next year. We also remove all annual plants and dead foliage, harvesting any leftover vegetables and composting the rest. Lastly, we add fresh compost and mulch to both the raised and in-ground garden beds, to help replenish the soil’s nutrients.
✓ Store Outdoor Furniture
Last, but certainly not least, we put away our outdoor furniture, storing it in the garage for the winter. This both helps to extend the lifespan of our outdoor furniture (including our patio dining table and chairs) as they don’t have to face the furry of our harsh Canadian winter, and it also makes snow clearing much easier throughout the months ahead.
Home Maintenance
Along with doing a deep clean of our home and getting our outdoor spaces ready for the winter, a part of our fall home care checklist is to make sure the mechanical systems of our home are working well and that we can take care of any general maintenance items required before the colder weather hits. This includes things like:
- Changing the furnace filter
- Cleaning furnace and ducting
- Cleaning bathroom exhaust fans
- Turning off and blowing out exterior hose bibbs
- Examining the roof for any cracked, buckled or missing shingles
- Checking for cracks or gaps in or damage to the exterior siding
- Checking door, window and attic hatch seals and repairing or replacing as needed
While these tasks are not as glamorous or noticeable as some of the other parts of fall home care, they are simple things that can make a big difference in how our home functions throughout the fall and winter.
Like with spring cleaning, fall home care is not about checking every box or creating a perfect home, but about taking small, intentional steps to care for what we’ve been given. So if this list feels long, pick just a few things to get started with. Don’t feel like you need to tackle all these items at once. Get started with what makes the most sense for your home and fine tune your fall home care to-dos over time.
Even a bit of regular home maintenance and care now can make a big difference in preventing more significant issues over time and help our homes feel fresh and ready for the colder days ahead.
As the days grow shorter, I’ve found that some of the simplest rhythms can also help me feel ready for winter. From cooking a nourishing meal to getting outside, these small choices can help us care for ourselves and show up well for those we love and the things we love to do. I recently wrote more about the simple rhythms I’m prioritizing this season in Rhythms for Flourishing: Caring for the Heart, Body & Mind as the Days Grow Shorter.
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