by Anastasia Fermin, Sunshima blog writer
Almost every household goes through the yearly routine of deep cleaning their home at the start of Spring. But did you know it’s also a growing practice to do the same sort of deep cleaning in the Autumn? It may sound strange, but deep cleaning in Autumn brings many benefits, especially in preparation for Winter. Here are some ways you can spring clean in Autumn.
Prepare your home for Winter
After Bank holidays, and during the last few days of warm weather it’s the ideal time to Autumn deep clean. This includes preparing your home for Winter and focusing on repairs that may be difficult to do when it’s cold:
- Ensure that your home is properly insulated for the cold months ahead
- Stock up on firewood, fuel, and service boilers
- Clean the gutters and repair leaks
- Power wash areas such as your drive and house exterior
- Clean glass windows, re-caulk doors and window sealings
- Get rid of debris in your outdoor areas and clean garden sheds or greenhouses
- Put outdoor furniture into storage
Maintain cleanliness
While general cleaning is done throughout the year, some things may still require deep cleaning before the temperature drops. For instance, shampooing and steam cleaning your carpets, upholstered furniture and mattresses can make your home feel clean, fresh and cosy again after months of use. It reduces allergens and gets rid of dirt, grime and other residues. It also gives you ample time to wash and clean all your winter bedding, thick blankets and heavy coats while they can be dried faster.
Don’t forget to:
- Defrost freezers and clean your appliances
- Declutter your bedroom
- Change/wash your drapes and curtains
- Clean your blinds and shutters
- Tidy up your desk (especially if you work from home)
- Maintain order and make use of storage
Re-organise your wardrobe
Take time in the Autumn to clear out your wardrobe and replace summer clothes with jackets, sweaters and other warm garments to suit the change in weather. It’s also a good time to sort out items that you no longer use or want to donate to charity. Pulling out your winter clothes early also gives you time to try them on and ensure that they still fit and are in good condition. If needed, you may have to purchase new wardrobe items in case there are problems with your old winter stocks. It’s better to know in advance what you might need.
Don’t stress If you feel like you have too much to do in very little time, don’t worry. Try to prioritise your cleaning tasks and tackle the most urgent chores first. If you’ve been cleaning on a regular basis, there shouldn’t be much to do but tidy up. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to other members of the household or call in a professional service to take care of roof and gutter repairs for example. Cleaning at the start of Autumn will also free up your time so you can enjoy the season and all the fun activities you can do in the fall.