Fall Cleaning Checklist & Free Printable

Free Printable Cleaning Schedule for Fall.

Fall cleaning checklist? I know everyone is always talking about spring cleaning. But since I’m a gardener I’ve always been more partial to fall cleaning than spring cleaning. Since in spring I’m usually busy getting my garden ready! Plus I like knowing that I’m going into the holidays with my home clean, tidy, and ready for guests. So before you start putting out your fall decor and getting your home nice and cozy for the cooler weather ahead, give your home a deep clean with this Fall Cleaning Checklist! A printable version is available for your convenience at the end of this post.

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Don’t try to do everything on the checklist in a day or two. Give yourself some time and break down the cleaning schedule into zones or just try to do one or two tasks a day. Don’t forget to get the family involved – everyone can help with autumn cleaning of the house!

Fall Cleaning Checklist & Free Printable

Are you wondering if now is the time to start fall cleaning, or if you’re too early or too late? It’s actually easy to figure out when fall technically is, as it’s the time between the fall equinox and winter solstice. But based on where you live, that timeline could actually be too late in the year or too long (in the northern hemisphere, the fall equinox is usually around September 22nd and the the winter solstice is usually around December 21st). What I usually use as a cut-off date is Thanksgiving, since it’s at the end of November. So for me, from the fall equinox (in September) to Thanksgiving (in November) is fall, and after that until the spring equinox (in March) is winter. That may not be technically correct, but it’s more accurate for cleaning purposes. After Thanksgiving, I move on to my winter cleaning checklist.

General Home Maintenance

• Have your heating system serviced
• Have your fireplace chimney cleaned
• Winterize your pool (here are tips for above ground pools, and here are tips for in-ground pools)
• Store your patio furniture
• Clean your gutters (here are gutter cleaning tips)
• Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
• Wash all your windows (you can use our all-natural streak-free DIY window cleaner)
• Clean and install storm windows and doors
• Sweep around the front door area removing cobwebs and change out your door mat to a fall themed one

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

• Clean and organize your pantry (Check out these 10 pretty organized pantries for inspiration first!)
• Now is a good time to take an inventory of your baking cabinet if you plan on doing holiday baking
• Clean out your spice cabinet and throw out any expired spices and inventory
• Clean your refrigerator & throw out any expired foods
• Look through your freezer and take an inventory (here is how to do that, plus a free freezer inventory printable)
• Dust and clean the tops of your cabinets (use our homemade dusting spray)
• Wipe down your cabinet doors and handles
• Clean the inside of your oven (here is a detailed explanation of various ways to clean your oven)
• Pull your oven and refrigerator out and clean behind them
• Wipe down the fronts of your fridge, dishwasher & oven
• Clean the outside of your small appliances
• Clean all kitchen light fixtures & replace any bulbs that are out
• Sharpen knives
• Sweep/vacuum and mop floor (if you have time – now is a good time to do an old fashioned hands and knees type deep cleaning of your kitchen floor)

RELATED:  15 Kitchen Cleaning Tips You Need To Know

Living Room Cleaning Checklist

• Dust blinds (read our tips on how to clean blinds first)
• Dust the tops of the window and door trim
• Vacuum or wash curtains. If you change out your curtains seasonally, now is a good time to do that
• Dust lamps, electronics and furniture
• Dust or vacuum air vents
• Vacuum furniture (be sure to vacuum under couch cushions)
• Dust decor and change out for fall
• Shampoo your carpets or mop flooring
• Put out fall blankets and pillows (If you made a DIY fall pillow, don’t forget to include it!)

Bedroom Cleaning Checklist

• Rotate your mattress
• Vacuum your mattress
• Wash bedding and pillows, and change out for fall colors (here is how to wash your pillows in the washing machine)
• Switch out summer wardrobe for fall
• Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
• Dust blinds
• Vacuum or wash curtains
• Dust furniture
• Shampoo your carpets or mop flooring

RELATED: Clever Tips For Keeping Your House Clean & Cleaning Schedule

Bathroom Cleaning Checklist

• Wash/change shower curtain liners and shower curtains
• Organize medicine cabinet – check expiration dates
• Wipe down mirror
• Dust door frame
• Wash down cabinet doors and handles
• Clean sink & bathtub
• Wipe down counter top and any shelving
• Wipe down fixtures, door knobs, and light switch
• Clean the toilet inside and out, hinges, lid, bolts
• Make sure items are stocked for any holiday guests
• Sweep/vacuum & mop floor
• Replace potpourri for a fall scent or add a fall scented candle (Maybe make our DIY pumpkin spice soy candle!)

RELATED: 7 Bathroom Cleaning Tips

Free Printable Fall Cleaning Checklist

Download your seasonal chore list here: Free Printable Fall Cleaning Checklist

Hopefully our printable fall house cleaning checklist will help you be prepared to enjoy the holiday season!


Do you usually do a big home cleaning in the fall?

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