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Around the House: Fall Clean-Up Guide

With Autumn’s crisp air and shorter days, it’s a perfect time to close out summer’s outdoor lifestyle and prepare your home for the winter ahead.  Take time to work on these chores and you’ll be set for a relaxing, snug winter season:

Inside to-do’s

–              Deep clean carpets and upholstery.  Vacuum or spot clean upholstery and drapery; move furniture to get to baseboards and areas covered by rugs and furniture.

–              With the change in seasons you’ll bring out the heavier blankets and throws.  Take the time to freshen your bedding by cleaning everything; turn your mattresses to balance wear.

–              Wash you windows – a cloudy day is the best time to take on this task.  Clean and rinse screens to remove dust and dirt and don’t forget the sills and window tracks. 

–              Schedule fall furnace inspections; stock up on furnace filters to maximize savings and comfort; clean/replace humidifier elements. 

–              Clean ceiling mounted light fixtures and fans.

–              Dust/lightly vacuum refrigerator condenser coil.  Check the dryer exhaust tube and remove excess lint.

–              Straighten closets and declutter as you shift wardrobes for the season.

Outside to-do’s

–              Clean all patio furniture and cover/move for winter storage; drain and store garden hoses.  Turn off exterior water spigots.

–              Caulk windows and doors; install weather stripping on doors and thresholds as needed.

–              Wash exterior windows

–              Clear your gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris.   Overflowing gutters can make windows and siding dirty and create water damage/ice damming in winter months.

–              Chimneys and flues should be inspected and cleaned if necessary.

–              Touch up paint on trim, railings and decks. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint; prime bare wood first.