Autumn Deep Cleaning Tips (with free checklist)

It’s November already? We don’t know about you but for us, summer already feels like a lifetime ago! With the changing seasons in mind, it’s time to consider giving your home a deep clean before the cold weather comes along.

Now, we know what you’re thinking…isn’t deep cleaning a spring thing? And you’re not wrong. It’s great to do a spring clean but that doesn’t mean your home should go unloved in the autumn. In fact, a deep autumn clean will prepare it for a busy Christmas period with family and set you up nicely for the New Year and with it, a brand new decade.

To get you off to a good start, we’ve shared a few areas of the home you should concentrate on cleaning this autumn. There are also some helpful cleaning tips and hacks included to help you get the most from your autumn clean. Oh and if that’s not enough, there’s a handy checklist you can save to your devices or print off (if you’re old school) to make sure you don’t miss anything important! We are good to you aren’t we?

If you’ve got this far and you like the idea of having a clean home for winter but don’t fancy doing it yourself, we can help you there too! Simply head to our booking page and get a deep cleaning quotation.

Carpets and rugs

We hate to say it but after the summer your carpets and rugs are likely to be pretty mucky. Trouble is, kids (in particular) often forget to take their shoes off when they’ve come in from the garden and dirt can quickly embed in the fibres. The longer you leave it, the more likely it is to damage your carpet, making it look worn and old before it’s time.

Vacuuming is the easiest way to suck up loose dirt. You can also use spot carpet treatments to get rid of stains. There are lots of different products available but if you want to use something from your cupboards at home, try baking soda. Mix it with a little water and apply it to the stain. Give it a good rub and then hoover up the leftovers when it’s dry.

You can also use baking soda to do a full carpet refresh. Sprinkle it all over your carpets and rugs and vacuum it up. It’ll get rid of any musty smells and give your carpets a whole new lease of life.

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Drains and gutters

Autumn is the time of year where the drains and gutters on your property are likely to get clogged with leaves. This might not seem like a big deal but blockages can stop water from flowing freely and soon result in big, messy, expensive leaks.

One way to clean your gutters is to use a ladder for access and physically pull out the leaves and debris yourself. Alternatively, you can buy gutter-cleaning tools that have telescopic handles. A great option if you don't like heights or are unable to use a ladder for mobility reasons.

Windows

It’s likely you’ll have the heating on more during the autumn and winter, which means there’ll be more condensation on your windows. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to give them a wipe over every now and then, to prevent the excess moisture from damaging your window frames and seals.

First, take down your curtains and blinds. It’ll make it easier to tackle your windows and you can give them a wash or steam clean while you’re at it.

Next, wipe down the windows using a cloth and soapy water. Use an old toothbrush to get into awkward corners. Spray with a glass cleaner and wipe until your windows are streak-free. Alternatively, make your own glass cleaner with 1tbsp. of white vinegar mixed with 2tbsp. of lemon juice.

As a side tip, it’s best not to clean your windows on a warm and sunny day. They’ll dry too quickly and look a bit streaky. There aren’t likely to be many warm, sunny days in autumn so that’s, err, good news?

Cobwebs

Spider season is upon us and although the cobwebs were great for Halloween, it’s probably time they go.

The best way to get rid of spider webs is to use your vacuum cleaner hose. Alternatively, use an extendable duster to remove them from hard-to-reach-areas like the ceiling and around any light fixtures.

Skirting boards

Skirting boards are often neglected so make it your mission this autumn to give them a little TLC. They don’t need a lot – a quick once over with a cloth will do. Make it even easier by using the small brush attachment on your vacuum.

Washing machine

When’s the last time you cleaned your washing machine? We see that confused look on your face! Yes, unfortunately, your washing machine won’t clean itself. And if it’s dirty inside, your clothes aren’t going to fare well are they?

Running a high temperature service wash (without any clothes in your washing machine) will get rid of any germs and bacteria in the drum. It's also a good idea to give the door seal a bit of a clean as it can get pretty grimey. Which? also has a great video on how to fix and clean detergent draws in washing machines.

Mattress

With cold nights setting in, you’ll soon be changing to your winter bedding. While you’re doing the changeover, think about giving your mattress a quick once over too. It’ll get rid of any germs and nasties (we’re talking dead skin and all of the other lovely stuff that drops off us) lurking on there and make it a much more pleasant place to lay your head.

Cleaning your mattress is easy. All you’ll need to do is use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and get to work. You can also sprinkle it with baking powder, like with your carpets, to freshen it up and draw out any dirt and moisture.

Free autumn cleaning checklist

If you’ve read through all of those tips then you’re obviously very serious about this autumn cleaning stuff! As a reward, here’s a handy checklist. Don’t say we don’t treat you well!

Simply right click your mouse and locate 'save as' to save the autumn cleaning checklist to your computer or if you're on a phone or tablet, tap and hold the image and select add to photos.

As always, we appreciate you taking the time to read our blog post and hope you've found it useful. If you have an extra moment spare, please give it a share with your friends on social media!