14 Cleaning Tasks to Get on Top of This Fall

Throw out everything that you can't identify, or is way past its best. Definitely throw out all that stuff that's been in there since this time last year. Turn everything else into an unconventional buffet. Now, you're ready for batch cooking.

This is a great time to stock up on tins and basics: pasta, chopped tomatoes, beans, and lentils. You'll reach for these time and again when the nights start to draw in, but first things first, empty out the cupboards. Throw away anything you haven't used for six months. No exceptions.

Take your outdoor grill for one last spin before Fall really sets in, and then give it a good clean. Put it away or cover it properly, safe and protected from the elements, so it's ready to go when the warm weather rolls back around. Your future self will be so grateful to your past self.

Inside and out! You won't want to do this in Winter, so get it out of the way while there are still some hours of daylight left. If you live several floors up, hire a window cleaner.

Ah, the impossible task. It's time to take advantage of the last few dry, sunny days left in which to dry clothes outdoors. Wash everything or take it to the cleaners. If there's something loitering in the bottom of your laundry basket that's been there for over a year, wash it and immediately donate it. You're never going to wear it again and you clearly don't miss it.

Hems you've been meaning to fix, buttons you've been meaning to sew, and linings that need replacing: do them all now. Your dry cleaner will take care of small repairs pretty cheaply if you know you won't get around to it yourself. But take a couple of hours to do a few simple sewing jobs, and you'll be delighted to have your old favorites back!

You don't need that pile of receipts you've been carrying around for six months. You really don't need seven pens. Empty everything out from every single bag you own and you'll feel less like you're (literally) carrying excess baggage around with you. Leave the four lipsticks in there, though. You never know when they might come in handy.

Don't wait until you need a coat to get yours cleaned. Otherwise you'll be freezing in your little denim jacket on the coldest day of the year. Need to make space for everything? Seal all of your Summer clothes up in vacuum bags (but keep a few things out for surprise sunshine, or impromptu vacations).

All that Summer mud and guests tramping through the house builds up quicker than you realize, even if you vacuum the floors every week. Maybe that carpet is still white under all that embedded pet hair, dust, and the tub of glitter that accidentally got spilled after a festival? A deep clean is the easiest way to make your rooms look bigger and brighter (and you can always pay someone to do it if you can't be bothered yourself). Give your sofa cushions and throws a bit of a spruce too - you're going to be spending a lot of time with them over the coming months.

If there's a problem with your heating it's far easier to get someone out now than in November when everyone suddenly realizes their boiler's dead on the coldest night of the year. Fire it up and check everything is heating up properly. Bleed the radiators if they're staying lukewarm. If your boiler is getting older, book a service now, too.

If you don't have a messy drawer, you might well have a corner. You know the one. Everything ends up there when you're too lazy to put it in the right place. Deal with it and you'll feel completely refreshed.

Replace the batteries, and check the carbon monoxide testers, too. In Winter, the heating is on, you're more cozy but you're also more at risk of heating hazards, so don't put it off until tomorrow, do it right now.

Make sure you do tricky jobs before before the daylight hours disappear and you're too scared to go out to the garage in the dark. You won't feel like doing it when you get home and it's dark and miserable, you'll feel like watching TV and getting comfortable under a blanket, but the wonky picture frame and squeaky door will still annoy you.

You've been meaning to do it for way too long.