It's been a long summer—so it's time to clean up the house for fall. This fall cleaning checklist will help you clean indoors and out!
The Ultimate Room-by-Room Fall Cleaning Checklist
Updated on Dec. 22, 2023
Although spring cleaning is traditionally when you deep clean your home, we’re a fan of welcoming every new season with a clean slate. And fall is no exception! It’s the perfect time to freshen each room of the house and prepare for cold weather outdoors.
Use our handy room-by-room fall cleaning checklist to keep track of each task as you go along.
The Ultimate Fall Cleaning Checklist
Entryway
- Sweep and mop floors
- Clean doormat
- Put away summer accessories
- Organize shoes
- Hang up fall jackets
- Hang up fall hats or scarves
Kitchen
- Clean stovetop
- Clean oven
- Clean microwave
- Clean dishwasher
- Clean freezer
- Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer
- Clear countertops (try these tricks)
- Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash
- Dust top of high surfaces including fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets
- Sweep and mop floors
- Wash kitchen rugs
- Clean garbage disposal
Dining Room
- Dust and polish furniture
- Vacuum and spot clean chair cushions
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Mop or vacuum floor
- Shampoo rugs or carpet
- Polish any silver dinnerware
Bathroom
- Discard expired personal care products and makeup
- Clean makeup brushes
- Wipe down vanity
- Clean mirror
- Clean tub and shower
- Clean showerhead (try this plastic bag trick)
- Wash shower curtain and replace liner
- Scrub tile grout (this product works)
- Clean toilet
- Clean hardware
- Sweep and mop floors
- Stock up on extra toiletries for holiday guests
We also found some of the best bathroom hacks for every bathroom size and style. Whether your bathroom is small or simply cluttered, these bathroom storage hacks will save the day!
Laundry Room
- Clean washing machine
- Clean dryer vent
- Organize laundry supplies
- Sweep and mop floors
Closets
- Store or donate outgrown clothes
- Wipe down shelves
- Bring cool weather clothes out of storage
- Put summer clothes away
Bedrooms
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wash bedding including sheets, pillows, duvets and bed skirts
- Put away light summer bedding and bring warmer linens out of storage
- Vacuum carpets (deodorize with baking soda first)
- Flip mattress
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Mop or vacuum floors
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
Living Room
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wash blankets and pillow covers
- Vacuum upholstered furniture—check out why our editors love this Dyson vacuum
- Clean or vacuum curtains
- Dust and clean lamp shades
- Dust electronics
- Dust and clean decor
- Switch out seasonal decor, if needed
- Sanitize remote controls
- Mop or vacuum floors (don’t forget under the furniture!)
- Shampoo rugs or carpets
- Sweep out the fireplace
- Have fireplace inspected by professional
Office
- Recycle or shred unneeded paperwork
- File important paperwork
- Dust and polish furniture
- Dust electronics
- Sanitize keyboard and mouse
Throughout the House
- Dust ceiling fans
- Wipe down baseboards
- Wipe down doors and walls
- Vacuum air vents
- Change furnace filter
- Sanitize door handles and light switches
- Dust blinds
- Dust curtain rods
- Clean windows
Outdoors
- Replace screens with storm windows
- Check for cracks in siding and for window drafts, plug with caulk or weather stripping
- Turn off all outdoor faucets and coil garden hoses
- Put patio furniture in storage
- Stack and cover firewood
- Check bulbs in outdoor light fixtures
- Wash outside of windows
- Rake leaves
- Clean gutters
- Prune back shrubs
- Pressure wash driveway and walkways
