Don’t Wait for Spring Cleaning, Start the Fall Purge

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In some parts of the country fall is a serious time of battening down the hatches and securing the homestead for the stormy season ahead. In Fountain Valley the change of seasons doesn't usually lead to anything that drastic but there’s still a sense of the days becoming cooler, shorter, and more time being spent indoors.

That being the case now is a great time to do some serious fall cleaning in and around the living space clearing out unnecessary accumulation from the past six months, -maybe even the past six years.

Doing so helps make the home a bit more wholesome and may even open it up so it feels lighter and easier to manage until spring arrives. And don’t worry; it can still feel comfy and lived-in without all the clutter.

So where’s the best place to start? It depends how much time you can devote to this project but assuming you’re in the mood for a thorough housecleaning,  begin in the attic first and work your way down.

Attic

From packaging to old school papers the attic is a magnet for all kinds of unnecessary things because it’s completely out of the way from most foot traffic and it’s easy to forget about things there. Take a few hours hauling all the junk out of the house and take the real intricate stuff like boxes of memorabilia or important documents downstairs to be sifted through on the deck or while watching television. Once the work up there comes to a close don’t forget to take a quick look around and inspect the roof for any leaks. If any are found hire a dependable roofer from the area to patch them up.

Bedrooms 

Bedrooms can become cluttered often but its usually clothes and other things which can be picked up very easily. The real work is in the closet and perhaps under the bed where various other things get placed and forgotten. Go through them and ask yourself if these things are truly worth holding on to, as sometimes we cling to parts of the past and it becomes an unhealthy habit.

Bathroom

Bathrooms may be cleaned regularly but have you ever noticed how much junk gets placed in the cabinet under the sink or behind the mirror? Old soap and shampoo bottles, skin care products, used and never-to-be used again toothbrushes, -there’s plenty to get rid of. It’s just a matter of taking the time and sorting through it all. In the end, when the bathroom has only what’s needed, it will be more hygienic and easier to find things and when needed in a hurry.

Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets and pantries are often stuffed to the core and we sometimes forget what’s behind the canned food and cereal. Now that the hottest weather of summer is over it’s a good idea to check the dates on everything and make sure nothing became infested.

Basement

The basement sometimes mimics the attic in that it attracts stuff but in some ways it’s even more important to make sure the space is clear because loose items can be a fire hazard near the burner, hot water heater, and other structural utilities.  Sort through it all and if there’s a garage place all garden and yard tools there leaving the basement open and clear.   

Jakob Barry is a green living journalist for Networx.com. Networx.com helps homeowners save time, money and frustration by connecting them with home improvement professionals. From roofers and carpentors to  HVAC contractors, Networx simplifies the process of locating a reliable professional.