Seasonal cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance and upkeep. Without regular cleaning during seasonal changes, our homes would not be as clean and healthy as we need, therefore affecting our quality of life. As the warmer days pass us by and the weather gets cooler, there are important Autumn cleaning tips that all homeowners should include in their cleaning routines.
From decluttering and organising to deep cleaning in preparation for the colder weather, there are many boxes to tick to prepare your home thoroughly. Keep reading to find out what Autumn cleaning tips you should include in your cleaning routine for a happy, healthy home.
Why Autumn Cleaning Is Important
Autumn cleaning has a number of benefits that can improve your and your family’s health and comfort. The end of Summer is a great opportunity to remove dust and allergens that built up during the warmer months, resulting in better air quality. Carpets and upholstery are also bound to be dirtier than usual from outside dirt being brought in during prior months, so it’s important to give these surfaces and materials a deep clean.
Besides cleaning, decluttering and organising your space will make your home feel less cramped as you and your family prepare to spend more time indoors. You’ll also feel more focused and motivated, which will certainly make getting up during the cold winter mornings easier.
Declutter And Organise Your Living Spaces
Donate, Recycle, Or Discard Unwanted Items
The Summer months bring many joyous celebrations, bonuses, and shopping sprees. What do all of these occurrences result in? They result in gifts, goodies, and unused objects taking up space in your home. The transition into Autumn is the ideal time to declutter, sort, and give/throw away. Use the tips below to sort and dispose of unwanted items effectively:
- Use three boxes and mark each one with the following labels: keep, donate/sell, and trash/recycle. Instead of gathering everything together and causing confusion, separate items from the get-go.
- Be mindful of environmental impact when disposing of items. Find recycling centres/companies in your area and get rid of items based on their recycling grouping.
- Do your organising in small time frames. If you try spending a whole day working without any breaks, you’ll feel demotivated and give up halfway through. Take breaks in between to do something you enjoy, like reading or going for a walk.
- Get others to help you. Having a loved one by your side will add a fun element to it all and make the time pass by quicker.
Organise Storage Areas And Cupboards
Storage and cupboard organisation gives you a headstart every time you’re looking for something urgently, or when you’re getting ready for a night out with friends. Having neat cupboards also gives you space for storage you would otherwise not have known about. Use the following organisation tips to get your cupboards and storage areas in a condition that makes you proud:
- Group similar items together. This will ensure you go to a specific space in your cupboard when looking for something.
- Use storage containers. Without them, your items are left free to roam, resulting in one missing sock from certain pairs.
- Use labels for storage containers. Labels make everything easier and avoid you from having to dig through items unnecessarily.
- Maximise space with vertical storage. If you don’t have enough space in your cupboards, hand up some shelves for more containers or items to live on.
Deep Clean Your Home
Focus On High-Traffic Surfaces And Areas
Certain areas in your home will be vacant for long periods of time, while others will constantly be visited. It’s important to deep clean the latter often to avoid germ build-up and spreading of allergens. Keep the following high-traffic areas in mind the next time you’re getting ready to deep clean your home:
- Kitchen: countertops, drawer handles, fridge door handle, Microwave buttons and handle, oven and stove knobs and handles, tap handles, and dishwasher buttons.
- Dining/Loung Area: tables and chairs, light switches and plates, door knobs, and remote controls.
- Bedroom: door knobs, light switches and plates, laptops and tablets, and computer keyboard and mouse.
- Bathroom: taps and handles, shower door and handle, toilet, counters and sink, and towel racks and hooks.
- Other: washing machine buttons and knobs, and vacuum cleaner handle and attachments.
Clean Carpets, Rugs, And Upholstery
The materials that these home additions are made from unfortunately hold onto dirt very easily. This means that it’s important to clean them thoroughly to get rid of the last of the dirt and allergens from Summer activity, especially with flu season lurking. Use the 4 tips below to clean these items effectively:
- Treat stains promptly – Get rid of stains with the appropriate cleaning methods as soon as you notice them to prevent them from setting into the fabric.
- Test cleaning solutions – Use a small amount of a cleaning solution on a hidden area of the fabric before cleaning up stains. This is done to avoid damage or discolouration.
- Vacuum regularly – Use a vacuum on carpets, rugs, and upholstery at least once a week to keep allergens and germs from causing health issues.
- Use a handheld vacuum – These work effectively for hard-to-reach areas and when more pressure needs to be applied.
Prepare Your Home’s Exterior For Cooler Months
Clean Gutters And Downspouts
As we all know, Autumn is the season when trees shed their leaves and fill the streets with wonderful colours. What that also means is that our gutters and downspouts get filled too. If they aren’t cleaned regularly, the build-up of leaves could cause water damage to the roof and foundation of a home, as well as the growth of mould and mildew. Follow these 4 tips to clean your gutters and downspouts safely and efficiently:
- Use a stable ladder – Without one, this job could be very dangerous. Make sure it’s placed on a level surface, and get someone to hold it for you if possible.
- Wear protective gear – Dealing with twigs and the gathering of dust and debris could prove to be a problem if protective gear isn’t worn.
- Use your hands wherever possible – Standing high up means you’ll want to be holding as few items in your hands as possible, in case you need to regain balance. That’s why it’s better to use your hands to gather and remove debris.
- Use a hose for downspouts – Once you’ve removed all debris, use a hose to flush out downspouts. This will ensure the free flowing of water and no blockages.
Check And Seal Windows And Doors
Before Winter rolls around, it’s vital to properly seal your doors and windows. Without effective sealing, your home will become an igloo and you’ll find yourself wrapped up with more layers than ever before. Here’s how you can detect and fix drafts and air leaks:
- Check for drafts with a candle or lighter on a windy day. Hold one of them near a door or window when the wind is blowing, and if there’s a flicker, you may have a draft.
- Check and replace weatherstripping (the material that seals gaps around doors and windows) if need be.
- Silicone caulk also works well to seal doors and windows because it is waterproof and flexible.
- Apply window film to your windows to help insulate them.
- Install door sweeps at the bottom of your doors to prevent drafts.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system will come into play more and more as the weather gets colder during Autumn. It’s important to maintain because it’s one of the main sources of warmth, and it helps remove allergens and pollutants from the air. Use the following 4 tips to properly maintain your HVAC system for energy efficiency and optimal performance:
- Change air filters regularly – It’s recommended that air filters get replaced every three months to ensure smooth airflow, otherwise, the system will need to work harder.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear – Proper and efficient air circulation happens when the outdoor system is clear and has space. Clear any fallen leaves or debris from it regularly.
- Seal air leaks – Unsealed air leaks around doors and windows will reduce energy efficiency.
- Schedule annual maintenance – This will help problems to be detected sooner rather than later, before they turn into bigger issues.
Optimise Your Home For Energy Efficiency
Adjust Your Thermostat Settings
Following certain tips and techniques regarding your thermostat can ensure energy efficiency and optimal performance. Use the tips below to cut back on your energy bill during Autumn:
- Lower the temperature when possible, especially when you’re away or sleeping. It’s recommended that you keep it at 20°C while you’re at home for a comfortable temperature that saves money.
- Use a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts itself based on how you’ve set it according to your schedule. This will ensure that even if you would have forgotten, you’ll still save money.
- Avoid turning the heat up drastically, as this will increase your energy bill by a significant amount.
- Use natural warmth wherever possible by letting sunlight in during the day so that your thermostat can get a break.
Insulate And Weatherproof Your Home
Autumn brings with it colder weather, and even more so leading into Winter. This naturally means that we’ll do our best to keep ourselves and our homes warm. Insulation and weatherproofing play a big role in this, as if they’re done effectively, our homes can stay warm without much need for appliance intervention, meaning energy bills are reduced. Use the 4 insulation and weatherproofing tips below to provide much-needed warmth and save money:
- Add insulation to your walls, floors, and attic if you have one. Be sure to use the recommended R-value for your climate zone.
- Insulate pipes that run through any unheated spaces in your home to avoid them from freezing and bursting.
- Get double-pane windows or storm windows installed to reduce heat loss.
- Check your roof for proper insulation to avoid heat loss and moisture from gathering.
Conclusion
As you can see, a well-kept and clean home not only provides comfort and warmth but will also save you money in the long run. Be sure to use the extensive Autumn cleaning tips given above as a guide to look after your home, and more importantly, your family.
If you’re looking for that extra helping hand to get your home sparkling clean, book a trusted and vetted SweepStar to transform your space with one of our many professional cleaning services. You’ll be left with a heart full of gratitude knowing why we’re proud to be SA’s #1 home services brand.
