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Has the Fall Cleaning Bug Hit You Yet?

10-1-08cleaning.jpg

Although spring cleaning gets hyped a lot, we think fall cleaning is really more important...at least in cold climates. Chicago in spring is all about getting outside your apartment; in fall we go into nesting mode, preparing to spend the bulk of the brutal winter inside our homes. To make the next few months more pleasant, it helps to start off with a clean slate...

 
 

We found a good fall cleaning checklist at Organized Home. A few chores we plan to get started on this weekend: moving our plants indoors and preparing to store our deck furniture, washing the windows, and laundering all of our bedding. Our big project for the next month involves sprucing up our kitchen and organizing the pantry to prepare for the holidays.

What about you? Are any AT readers going into fall cleaning mode?

Photo: Samantha Basket from Pottery Barn

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Comments (17)

Phew, I thought it was just me!

posted by *heather leaf* on October 1st 2008 at 1:10pm
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I've been doing fall cleanings instead of spring cleanings since I moved out on my own, eighteen years ago!

posted by nantarea on October 1st 2008 at 1:18pm
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Tis the season not to consume for me, more about enjoying what I have and having friends over for good food and wine..so yes cleaning as usual.

posted by LoriSF on October 1st 2008 at 1:19pm
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I definitely nest in the fall. I've been looking around the house thinking "wow... I really need to do a deep cleaning!".

I think the Fall Cure will help, but there are always essential items to deep clean every fall and spring.

You are not alone!

posted by revolution9 on October 1st 2008 at 1:26pm
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Yes, and that picture just made it even stronger! Just finished organizing the linen closet... working my way up to the garage and the BF's office..... eeek!

posted by MelissaLeigh on October 1st 2008 at 1:26pm
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My place is rapidly hitting critical mass so I will be fall cleaning very soon. If not, "they" may come and condemn it. This week is, most likely, the last week of good weather so I'm busting around finishing yard projects right now. Then I can come inside and "rest." (HA!)

posted by GypsyTeri on October 1st 2008 at 1:27pm
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Definitely.

posted by SeanG on October 1st 2008 at 1:57pm
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absolutely. especially in arizona where one has the a/c on all the time and no fresh air is circulating through the house. it's a time to open the windows, enjoy the fall, and start cleaning.

posted by animalhouze on October 1st 2008 at 2:15pm
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Yes! Kitchen cabinet, pantry, broom closet, garage.... :)

posted by ammanda on October 1st 2008 at 2:16pm
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yes...they never turn the heat on here until it's freezing cold so I clean and organize to keep warm!

posted by amiencc on October 1st 2008 at 5:23pm
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It's spring down under so it's so nice to be able to open up the windows, let some fresh air in, and clean clean clean! Yesterday I did a big clean and it felt so good.

posted by slosydney on October 1st 2008 at 7:01pm
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YES!!! It's finally getting a little cooler here in FL, the humidity is lower and its nice enough to open up the house and let it air out. And while it's airing out I will be cleaning and dusting and all that stuff that needs to be done. I think I prefer fall cleaning, there's something energizing about it.

posted by crash on October 1st 2008 at 7:58pm
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I'm with the crowd. Here in Texas it's finally cooling off enough to open the windows and get some fresh air in the house. I also deep clean the kitchen, wash the windows, dust the odd places (ceiling vents, door frames) and deep clean the carpet.

posted by grngodes on October 2nd 2008 at 5:16am
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It's time to put away the summer clothes and bring out the winter woolies.

posted by mvastudios on October 2nd 2008 at 5:27am
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Bug? Huh? What?

posted by whytephoenix on October 2nd 2008 at 5:32am
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Holy smokes- I never realized folks get into regular fall cleaning! Just this week I have really gotten into some serious fall cleaning. It started with finding some awesome fruit at a farm stand. Cool weather, baking, shorter days- before I knew it I was neck deep in scrubbing, purging clutter, and rearranging our stuff. It feels great! Blueberry buckle, apple crisp, cold nights, and a clean, beautiful apartment - wonderful stuff!

posted by Christeen F on September 8th 2009 at 10:24pm
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The major thing that I do, is the NYC closet-season-change. I always make a bag for charity when I change my wardrobe over. It feels so good, and I know I'm doing a good deed as well as keeping my creative paths clear (ie, closet space.)

The thought of people in our own backyard who do with so little, is very upsetting, and making a charity bag in the closet-changeover, is a small way of trying to help.

posted by medusa12120 on September 13th 2009 at 8:33pm
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