Fall Cleaning: Storage Areas & Laundry Room

I think this is the part of fall cleaning that takes the most time. It is cleaning all storage areas: coat closet, linen closet, misc. closets, basement, attic and/or garage and laundry room.

Closets
* Take everything out of the closet
* Wipe down walls, shelves, pole
* Wipe down door, door frame and door knob
* Declutter and reorganize - Make piles for charity items, trash and mend/repair
* Vacuum or wash floor
* Make sure to get winter and fall items up front - winter coats, gloves, boots and in the linen closet flannel sheets and electric blankets.


Basement/Attic/Garage
* Gather in one area paints, pesticides and all chemicals. If needing to get rid of anything, call city sanitation for how to dispose of those things safely.
* Clean all garden tools and outside tools and store away for the winter months
* Make sure shovel and car window scrapers are easily accessible
* Declutter and reorganize - Make piles for charity items, items to recycle* and trash (* look here to find places to recycle electronic equipment)
* Make labels for storage bins when reorganizing
* Stack storage bins with like - such as all holiday items in one stack, memorabilia in another and so on
* Make sure holiday bins are easily available with the holidays coming up
Dust and vacuum moderately dirty curtains and window treatments - Start by dusting from top to bottom using the upholstery or brush attachment for the vacuum. For blinds take a dampened microfiber cloth to them wiping them top to bottom.
* Very dirty curtains and window treatments - Wash or clean according to labels.
* Wash all windows - Using vinegar and water solution with a microfiber cloth
* Vacuum dusty cloth lampshades - using a brush attachment.
* Dust all other lamps - Using a solution of water and vinegar to very lightly dampen a microfiber cloth
* Clean ceiling-mounted light fixtures and ceiling fans.
* Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - change batteries if necessary
* Replace furnace filter and make sure it is working order before it gets too cold
* Make sure flashlights work and other emergency items are working and in place
* Clean the walls - Dust, wash, rinse and then dry painted walls. Wallpaper - dust
* Vacuum and spot-clean upholstered furniture and cushions - if storing make sure covered so keep dust and dirt off them
* Clean all trash cans
* Clean all heat vent covers and vacuum in and around
* Dust - shelves, furniture/appliances, door and doorframe
* Wipe down door knob
* Sweep, vacuum and/or wash floor


Laundry Room
* Clean the outside of washer and dryer and sink
* Clean the counters, shelving and cabinets. Both inside and outside of cabinets
* Run vinegar through washer to clean your washer
* Wipe the inside walls of the dryer. Use a cloth dampened with dishwashing soap and warm water.
* Check and clean dryer exhaust vent for built-up lint
* Clean behind the washer and dryer. Use a vacuum brush
* Clean buildup from minerals or starch off iron
* Dust door and door frame
* Clean door knob
* Clean all heat vent covers and vacuum in and around
* Dust and vacuum moderately dirty curtains and window treatments - Start by dusting from top to bottom using the upholstery or brush attachment for the vacuum. For blinds take a dampened microfiber cloth to them wiping them top to bottom.
* Very dirty curtains and window treatments - Wash or clean according to labels.
* Wash all windows - Using vinegar and water solution with a microfiber cloth

Download and Print: Fall Cleaning List - Basement, Attic and Garage and Fall Cleaning List - Closets and Laundry Room