With fall already upon us, you may be wondering what you need to do in preparation for the holidays. A fall cleaning checklist should guide you on what you need to do to ensure your home is in good shape in time for the holidays. Here’s a handy checklist you can take advantage of.

Clean the Rugs and Carpets

The first thing that you should do is to thoroughly clean the rugs and carpets in your home. This is important because they have a lot of accumulated dirt and grime from the just-ending season. You can lower the chance of allergic reactions in your family members and enjoy a fresher space this season. Since 19.72% say that carpeted surfaces are the most problematic to clean and maintain, you may consider hiring a professional service for help.

Put Summer Accessories Away

As summer is gone, so are its activities. This means that it’s time for you to put away summer accessories and store them well for the next time they are needed. Storing them instead of keeping them out will keep your home clean and organized until next summer. Find an efficient way to store them out of reach and out of sight so that they’re not in the way and they don’t get damaged, defeating the purpose of storing them in the first place.

Service Your Air Conditioner

As the weather changes, so do your family’s needs in terms of comfort. Note that the United States department of energy recommends that you should either clean or replace the filters in your HVAC system once every month or two months in the cooling season. You should also have the entire system serviced fully twice a year, once in the hot season and once in the cold season. Keep up with this practice and you can supply your family with clean air throughout and also extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Clean Your Drains

It’s important to prepare your plumbing for fall by draining and storing any removable pipes in your vicinity so they stay safe from freezing temperatures. Clean the drains as well to get rid of any accumulated debris that may pose an issue if left in the drains with dropping temperatures. Keep in mind that, typically, homeowners need to get their drains cleaned thoroughly at intervals of 18 to 22 months. Doing this may save you from issues with your plumbing such as unpleasant smells in and around your home as well as drain flies.

Check Your Doors and Windows

Finally, you need to check your doors and windows and clean them thoroughly. Wash the windows and all the grooves around them. While doing this, check to see if there’s any damage such as cracks and gaps through which air can escape from your home. If you find any, seal them with caulk so that you don’t have to contend with exaggerated heating bills from having to crank your HVAC for extended periods of time. Your home will look and feel better as a result of doing this, so it’s worth the time and effort.

Use this fall cleaning checklist to get your home in shape and ready for the holidays. Your friends and family will be in awe of how clean and organized your home is!