Home Reset Checklist: Fall Edition
September often signifies a return to our home and routines. This time of year makes us want to get everything in order and give our homes the reset it needs by going through the house, dealing with the things we’ve been putting off, putting away what we won’t need for a while, and get everything feeling ready for the season ahead. See our checklist below.
Home Systems
Schedule necessary maintenance
Have your furnace or heat pump inspected and cleaned before the colder temps set in.
Clean the fireplace and chimney
Get it ready for fire-burning season.
Refresh your battery drawer
Recycle dead batteries, organize supplies by size, ensure flashlights are working.
Wipe down radiators/vents (and baseboards, too!)
Dust that’s been sitting around all summer will just recirculate when the heat kicks on.
Check your air purifier, humidifier and diffuser
Change out the filter(s), clean & descale, and replace cartridges.
Clean the dryer vent (not just the lint trap)
This is something that people don’t often think of, but can be a fire hazard.
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Kitchen
Do a deep clean
Now is a great time to do a deep clean of your refrigerator, as well as your dishwasher filter and range hood— three appliances that get heavy daily use.
Calibrate your oven
Before the holiday cooking begins!
Restock the pantry and spice drawer
Ensure you have all of your fall staples on hand. We switch our weekly dinner menu 2-4 times per year with the change of seasons.
Prep for the upcoming holidays
Dry clean your table linens, polish your serving pieces, and count your barware. Now is a good time to replace anything missing, broken or in poor condition. Is there anything you need to replenish or add to your hosting supplies?
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Living Spaces
Reset the mudroom and/or entryway
Donate forgotten, unused shoes, organize backpacks and sports gear, check umbrellas and restock if needed.
Create a proper drop zone (or audit the one you have)
Keys, sunglasses, incoming mail— make sure each has a proper place to land.
Create a donation box
Keep one on hand all season so decluttering becomes effortless
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Kids
Edit kids’ closets
Check sizing (and try things on) before the school year starts, including shoes
Audit sports equipment
Helmets, cleats, shin guards, water bottles— see what still works and what needs to be donated
Donate toys they’ve outgrown
An exhausting exercise for everyone involved, but you always feel better afterwards
Prep for the school year
Refresh homework supplies at home, like pens, pencils, chargers, computer paper, etc
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Bedroom
Switch in your heavier bedding
Swap out linen bedding and bring in cotton (or your material of choice) and weightier duvet inserts. Check your bedding’s condition to make sure you don’t need any replacement items before those cooler nights arrive.
Wash your summer bedding before it goes into storage
Even if you wash your sheets weekly, months of sunscreen, body oils, bug spray and other outdoor products can take a toll on your bedding. Give them a good final cleaning before they’re put away for awhile.
Clean-out bedside table drawers
Toss build-up from the busy months, like old receipts, wrappers, chargers that don’t work anymore, and anything else you might find. Keep it to the nighttime routine essentials.
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Closet
Transition your closet to fall
Stow away your true summer pieces that won’t be worn anymore, and rotate in your sweaters, boots and jackets.
Review fall bags and shoes
Check if anything needs cleaning, polishing or repair before the season is in full swing.
Refresh and refill
Replace cedar blocks, lavender sachets, order new hangers if needed, and get rid of dry cleaning hangers.
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Personal Care
Check levels/backstock and update your hand soap and lotion
Change in a seasonal scent or something more moisturizing for the upcoming drier air. Remember to refresh the guest bathroom, too, like fresh hand towels, extra toilet paper, soap, tissues and a candle.
Check expiration dates
Do a sweep of your medication, vitamins, skincare and makeup.
Deep clean your hair and makeup brushes
Use warm water and gentle soap.
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Outdoors
Put away outdoor furniture
Clean and store outdoor cushions, umbrellas, etc, and cover any outdoor furniture that doesn’t get stored away
Clean gutters
Identify any leaks or sags, and start fall with a clean slate.