Fall Cleaning Checklist

Use glass cleaner, or one squirt of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle filled with water, and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. Pick a cloudy day so you can better see any streaks.

Use a low setting with a brush attachment. Vinyl shades can be wiped down with a dampened microfiber cloth if they need a little more attention.

Start by dusting or vacuuming the valance and frame, then vacuum from top to bottom using the upholstery attachment for drapes, and the brush attachment for blinds. Or submerge blinds or shades in a few inches of cool water and two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid (check labels first to make sure this is safe). Take out the metal weights first; they can rust.

Some cotton, polyester, rayon, and wool drapes can be machine washed on delicate. Always send lace, linen, satin, and silk drapes and shades to a professional cleaner.

Dust, wash, rinse, and dry painted or wood-paneled walls.

Deep-clean if necessary.

Empty them, wash them down, replace liners (if you use them), declutter, and reorganize.

Use your vacuum's brush attachment and gently vacuum it.

Have carpets professionally cleaned if needed.

Have scratched or dull wood floors professionally scuff-sanded and recoated, or completely refinished.

Dust the CPU, clean and wipe down the keyboard, and dust off the monitor with a microfiber cloth.

Declutter and reorganize.

Or install them, if you haven't yet.

If you haven't changed your furnace filter within the past three months, do so now.

Have the wood-burning fireplace and stove flues and chimneys professionally inspected and swept.

Repair or replace as needed.

Do the downspouts, too.

Then store away.

Touch up as needed.

Close it up for the year.