October is Fall Cleaning Month

This week’s blog is taken from Southern Living Magazine. You have heard of spring cleaning…but fall cleaning is just as important, and October is a great month to do it. What should you clean?

Fireplace and mantle, throw blankets and bedding, decorative and bed, pillows, rugs and door, mats, guest room,  pantry and cupboards, ceiling fans, air vent covers, windows, and oven.

 full article: 

If you keep a regular cleaning schedule, fall is the perfect time to give some items a little more attention. You’ll be glad you stuck with a routine because it will make deep cleaning that much easier. October falls after the extreme heat of summer has passed and before the harsh winter ahead, so the time is right to reset your home. The cozy months are coming, and you’ll likely be spending more time indoors in front of the fire, entertaining guests, and baking fall favorites. It’s also time to bring heavy throw blankets out of storage. Help your home shift with the seasons with this list of things to deep-clean in October.

Fireplace And Mantel

Don’t wait for the first threat of freezing temperatures or snow to get your fireplace cleaned

and serviced. If you usually rely on a professional to handle it, make an appointment now.

Once December rolls around, they are likely already booked. You can clean some things

yourself, including the doors and vacuuming up any dust and debris on the brick surround and

mantel. For a gas fireplace, turn off the gas when cleaning, and dust off the logs with a soft

brush. For wood-burning fireplaces, remove any ashes and look for a buildup of a black tar-

like substance called creosote, which will need professional attention.

Throw Blankets And Bedding

Bring out blankets that have been stored during warmer weather. It’s their time to shine. Run

them through the wash to get rid of any stale odors and dust from storage. Wash throwblankets on sofas or beds that haven’t been used often during the summer months. Make sure

to check the care labels for each blanket, and wash them every two or three weeks when in use

to get rid of dirt, body oils, pet dander, and hair. It’s also a good time to wash heavier blankets

and bedding to get ready for colder nights that arrive in October.

Decorative And Bed Pillows

Swap out decorative throw pillows on beds and sofas that go with seasonal decor. If yours

have been stored, they may be dusty or have a musty odor. Check the tag for cleaning

directions. Remove and wash any washable covers as well. It’s also the time to wash bed

pillows. Just make sure to read any care labels to clean them properly.

Rugs And Doormats

Scatter rugs and doormats around the entry points of your home need deep cleaning at least

twice a year, more often for high-traffic areas. Fall is a good time to get rid of dirt, pollen,

dust, sand, and debris tracked in over the summer, and get rugs ready for winter snow, ice, and

salt tracked in by heavy boots and holiday guests. Shake out and vacuum rugs to get rid of

visible dirt, then spot-clean them or launder washable rugs according to the care tag. Scrub

rubber doormats with soapy water, and brush off visible dirt and spot-clean coir styles.

Guest Rooms

If your guest room has turned into a catchall for packages, laundry, papers, and assorted

storage, it’s time to wade into the mess and clear it out for any expected or surprise guests

that’ll soon be on your doorstep. Besides fall gatherings and Thanksgiving, it’s a good idea to

have your guest room in shape with cold and flu season approaching in case you need to

separate a sick person from the rest of the family. Clear the clutter and get rid of anything you

don’t need or box it up for storage. Dust, vacuum, and wash any bedding.

Pantry And Cupboards

If you still have candy from Valentine’s Day or Easter in your pantry or cupboard, it’s time for

a big clean-out. Not only will it create room for fall baking items and soup ingredients, but it

will also help get rid of dry goods that have been sitting around all summer and any pantry

pests that have made a home there. Empty the shelves and dispose of any expired items,

vacuum the shelves and floors to get rid of crumbs and dust, wipe down shelves with soapy

water, and then reorganize. Now you can stock up on fall favorites.Ceiling Fans

As the temperature cools, it’s a good time to switch the direction of your ceiling fans so they

rotate clockwise to push warm air down. While you’re at it, get rid of the layer of dust on the

ceiling fan’s blades and motor. Wipe down the lightbulbs or light globes and pull chain too.

Air Vent Covers

Clean your air vent covers with the change of seasons. When you switch from using the air

conditioner nonstop to turning on the heat on chilly nights, dust the vent covers in your home.

Vacuum off any loose dust and debris using a brush attachment. If your covers are especially

dirty, turn off the HVAC system and remove the covers. Wash them in warm soapy water

before drying and putting them in place again. While you’re at it, go ahead and change the

filters.

Windows

Fall is a great time to clean your windows. The weather is just right for opening them long

enough to clean them without letting cooled air out or cold air in. Give them a streak-free

shine inside and out to get rid of pollen, bugs, dust, and dirt that has accumulated. The clearer

view will help you enjoy some natural light even when it’s too cold to go out in it.

Oven

Let’s face it—it’s comfort food season. All of those roast chickens, hearty stews, breads, and

pumpkin desserts you dreamed about since last October are bound to keep your oven busy.

Before baking marathon and Sunday roast sessions begin, give your oven a thorough cleaning.

You won’t have to endure a smoke-filled kitchen as built-up grease burns off any previous

messes. Keep it simple with baking soda, vinegar,