Enjoy Your Home More This Winter - Fall House Cleaning Tips

Carole Pagan
© 2007

Fall is on our doorstep. Pretty soon it'll be time to lock down the house. Close the storm widows and seal everything up.

One problem is, if you don't do some fall house cleaning first -

You'll end up looking through dirty windows all winter - and isn't winter depressing enough?

And - you might end up closing in some rather unpleasant smells that you probably don't notice right now - but you will once the house is closed up.

So, there's a few things you really want to address this month.

Wash all the windows, inside and out. I know it's a pain, but the psychological payoff will be well worth it.

Clean your upholstery, window treatments, mattresses, pillows and carpets. I know, another pain, but the payoff will be a better smelling house, and fewer allergens locked up with you all winter. Not to mention bedbugs. Have you seen the articles on the bedbug outbreaks? UGH!

Now don't go getting overwhelmed on me. Just take one thing at a time. Here in the Midwest, we have the month of September, and maybe most of October to get this all done.

Once we're forced to close up, here are some things I like to have on hand -

Airwick oil plug ins - in soothing lavender. I put it on the lowest setting and it keep the house smelling nice, but not overwhelming.

Candles are great for removing cigarette smoke and cooking odors. Just don't leave them unattended.

Whole coffee beans also remove odors. Just place some in a bowl.

FeBreeze is great stuff to have on hand.

With a little planning and a little fall house cleaning, being locked up all winter will be at least a little more pleasant!

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