Big Fall Clean Up

Everyone is familiar with Spring Cleaning - I find that only having a big clean up once a year is not enough, so I like to do a big clean up around the house quarterly, around each season.

I do a big Winter clean up in January, to get everything cleaned up from the holidays. A spring clean up to prepare for summer. A summer clean up usually involving the garage and the yard, and a Fall clean up, to tidy up from summer fun and prepare for the upcoming holiday season.

With the children back in school, it is time for my Big Fall Clean Up.

After a nice, laid back summer, the house tends to get a little neglected. Different areas around the house get a little disorderly, and need to be set right. I always start with a big master cleaning list. I go through every room and space in the home and make a list of things that need attention, as well as regular cleaning projects.

Every room get a very thorough vacuum, all the edges, and under furniture. Every window is cleaned as well as the runners. Curtains are cleaned or dusted. Books are taken off the shelf and individually dusted, the shelves are dusted and each book is returned to its correct location. Office files are caught up. Cupboards are reorganized and re-stocked. Drawers and closets are gone through and organized. Media is organized and dusted. Appliances are cleaned out. Bathrooms get an extra deep scouring. You get the idea.

After I make the list of all the cleaning projects room by room on my computer, I print it out on colorful paper. For this Fall clean up I chose pumpkin Orange, and added a few fall stickers for fun, and staple it together. I cross things off the list as they are completed, which is very motivating as the list gets smaller and smaller. I also enlist everyone in the family for various tasks.

This is also a wonderful time to remove any clutter that you are no longer using. Toys and clothing the kids have grown out of, books you may wish to pass on, etc.

I also like to list out things that need fixing or replacing- my bathroom fixture is broken and needs replacing, the dogs scratched up the paint under the office window, and the garage door- these need repainting. I have a missing towel rack. The dog ate a hole about a foot in diameter through the center of my comforter - we are using a lighter summer blanket in the mean time, but need to replace it before winter. Stuff like that.

Putting on some nice music and lighting a scented candle makes cleaning more enjoyable. I also like to set the timer and see how much I can get done in 15 minutes- after a few sessions, time for a break. Maybe a nice cup of tea or cool drink, and a few minutes of a favorite show, then back to work.

Fun projects can also be under taken during this clean up- I plan to update my Halloween scrapbook. I always have fun decorating for fall. I also plan all of my holiday meals and gift list at this time- that way I can plan ahead and find things on sale.

It is very rewarding to work on this big clean up- I love the way the house feels after a big clean up- plus it makes it much easier to keep up with every day cleaning when everything is organized.

When you are all done you can relax and enjoy the upcoming holidays. This system has worked very well for me over the years. The Big Fall Clean Up is a great way to transition into Fall. Now, I better get started! :)

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27