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The Spruce / Brie Goldman

Key Takeaways#

• Focus on areas that'll be busy during the fall season, such as your pantry, living room, or guest bedroom.
• Be sure to clean your outdoor areas so you have a clean foundation for fall and winter decorations.
• Prep your guest bedroom and bathroom so you won't have to worry when the season is in full swing.

While spring cleaning usually gets the spotlight and hype, fall cleaning is arguably even more important and satisfying. It's the moment we shift from warm weather and al fresco dining to cozy evenings and seasonal parties.

In preparation for any upcoming holidays in your household—or if you're simply looking for an autumnal refresh—this fall cleaning checklist focuses on seven areas of your home that are worth sprucing up now, before the season is in full swing.

The Pantry#

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onurdongel / Getty Images

Cleaning and organizing your pantry are important ahead of fall festivities. Cleaning the shelves and removing expired items or empty boxes always feels good, and you can make the most of decluttering this area by taking stock of what you do and don't have at the same time.

Rearranging and clearing out your pantry now makes space for new items and dinner party essentials. This way, you won't have to stress about squeezing things into the storage space you have the night of.

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Guest Bedrooms#

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Alyssa Vela

When you're in the throes of entertaining and worried about creating the world's best charcuterie board, you'll thank your past self for already having prepared and styled the guest bedroom for visitors, especially if they're unexpected.

Clean the sheets and swap them for warmer materials, and give the entire space a refresh. Sweep, mop, dust, vacuum, and replace decorative items for fall-themed wares. Get towels cleaned and ready for the guest bathroom as well.

Maintenance Check#

This is also a great opportunity to check and make sure all light bulbs and electrical features are working.

Coat Closets#

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ProCreators / Getty Images

While you might want to wait to fully replace your wardrobe until the cold weather really sets in, now is a wonderful time to reorganize your coat closets and shoe racks. These areas have probably accumulated summer footwear and lightweight jackets over the last few months, and they'll only need to hold more with any hosting duties coming up.

Take the time to review whether or not you'd like to donate anything, then neatly pack away the season's items in clothes storage containers. Then you can review your autumn and winter gear, and either donate items you no longer want or place them into your newly emptied space.

Dining Room Drawers#

If you have hutches, cabinets, or buffets in your dining room, it's worth decluttering before fall finally arrives. This is usually where tablecloths, placemats, candles, and other dining items are stored.

Doing so beforehand means you can take stock early and replace anything. It's hard to remember if you ran out of matches or if your favorite Thanksgiving table runner has a hole in it when it's been close to a year.

The Living Room#

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Brexton Cole Interiors

'Tis the season for entertaining, and while you may have spent more time outside over the last few months, you're likely bringing festivities and celebrations indoors now. Living rooms tend to be a popular gathering space, so it's a great chance to prep them before you have guests over.

Wash throw blankets and replace pillow covers, and vacuum or clean any other soft textiles like rugs and window treatments. You should also wipe down the mantel and fireplace (to prep for garlands and other seasonal decor) and disinfect and dust any electronics like TV remotes and screens.

Outdoor Areas#

Now that summer is on its way out, it's time to remove any outdoor furniture you won't use into autumn and winter.

It's also a great time to sweep, scrub, and deep clean any grime or debris that's accumulated over the last few months. Check and clean your gutters and store any planters that won't be used.

This will prep outdoor areas just in time for autumnal and winter decorations. It also means you're getting the brunt of the work done before cold, wet weather sets in for good; this is never an optimal situation for cleaning outdoors.

Linen Cupboards#

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@milkandhoneylife / Instagram

With a shift to cooler weather, you'll likely be replacing your linen and light cotton bedding for warmer sheets and blankets. During the swap, it's a great time to clear out your linen closet and get rid of any old, worn-out bedding sets, towels, or soft textiles. Then you can take stock of any replacements you need.

While you're here, it's also a good chance to check levels of essentials, such as hand soap, toilet paper, cotton rounds, and cleaning supplies.