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?

Comments (17)
Phew, I thought it was just me!
I've been doing fall cleanings instead of spring cleanings since I moved out on my own, eighteen years ago!
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.
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!
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!
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!)
Definitely.
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.
Yes! Kitchen cabinet, pantry, broom closet, garage.... :)
yes...they never turn the heat on here until it's freezing cold so I clean and organize to keep warm!
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.
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.
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.
It's time to put away the summer clothes and bring out the winter woolies.
Bug? Huh? What?
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!
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.