Fall Cleaning Checklist for New England Homes Before Winter

Fall cleaning in New England has one real deadline: getting the house ready before the windows close and the heat comes on. Once the radiators start clanking, whatever dust and grime is in the house gets circulated for the next six months. Work through this checklist in late September and October and you'll head into winter, and the holidays, with a clean slate.

Why Fall Cleaning Matters More Here

In a lot of the country, spring cleaning is the big one. In Massachusetts, fall deserves equal billing. Think about what's coming:

• Heating season. Radiators, baseboard heaters and forced-air vents blow around whatever's sitting on and in them.
• Closed windows. Months of stale indoor air, with dust and pet dander staying put.
• Mud and slush. Entryways and mudrooms get hammered from November on.
• The holidays. Thanksgiving through New Year's is when most people host.

A few weekends of work now makes all of that easier.

Week 1: Heating System and Air

Start with anything that moves air, because everything else gets cleaner when the air does.

• Vacuum and wipe radiators. Use a crevice tool or a radiator brush to get between the fins. Slide a damp towel on the floor behind them to catch what falls. Older colonials and Capes in Norwood often have cast-iron radiators that haven't been dusted since last spring.
• Clean baseboard heater covers. Lift or remove covers if possible and vacuum the fins gently. They bend easily.
• Replace furnace or HVAC filters before you turn the system on for the season.
• Wipe vent covers and air returns. Pull off floor registers and vacuum inside.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and dust them while you're up there.
• Clean ceiling fan blades, and flip fans to clockwise at low speed to push warm air down.

Week 2: Windows and Window Treatments

• Wipe interior window sills and vacuum the tracks. Summer leaves dead bugs, pollen and grit behind.
• Take down and clean screens before you swap to storm windows, if your house has them. A soft brush and a hose work for most screens; let them dry completely before storing.
• Wash or vacuum curtains and drapes. Heavier curtains help in winter, so this is a good time to switch.
• Dust blinds slat by slat or use a microfiber blind duster.
• Clean interior glass while you still have good daylight to see streaks.

Week 3: Entryways and Mudroom Prep

Set up now so winter mess has somewhere to go.

• Deep clean the mudroom floor, including corners and baseboards.
• Swap summer gear for winter gear. Beach bags and flip-flops out; boots, hats and gloves in.
• Put down boot trays and a heavy-duty outdoor mat plus an absorbent indoor mat. See our guide to protecting your floors from road salt.
• Wash or replace doormats.
• Add hooks or a bench if wet coats keep landing on the floor.
• Clean the front door, kick plate and storm door glass.

Week 4: Kitchen Before the Holidays

Thanksgiving is the toughest test your kitchen faces all year. Get it ready early.

• Clean the oven before you need it for a 20-pound turkey.
• Degrease the range hood and soak the filter.
• Empty and clean the fridge. You'll need the space.
• Wipe cabinet fronts, especially near the stove.
• Inventory serving dishes and roasting pans, and wash anything that's been in storage.
• Clean small appliances you'll use for hosting: stand mixer, slow cooker, coffee maker.

For a full hosting plan, see our Thanksgiving cleaning timeline.

Throughout the Season: Basement, Leaves and Linens

Basement

Massachusetts basements tend to be damp in late summer and early fall. Before the house closes up:

• Check for musty smells or mildew spots on walls and stored boxes
• Run or empty the dehumidifier and clean its filter
• Move anything stored in cardboard off the floor and onto shelves
• Sweep or vacuum, including under stairs and around the water heater

Leaves and outdoor debris

Fall leaves are pretty outside and messy inside.

• Shake out entry rugs weekly during peak leaf season
• Vacuum the car-side entry if you come in through the garage
• Sweep porches and steps so leaves don't get tracked in wet

Bedding and closets

• Wash and put away summer bedding; bring out flannel sheets and heavier comforters
• Wash blankets and throws that have been stored since spring
• Rotate closets: summer clothes into bins, sweaters and coats out
• Donate anything nobody wore this year

What You Can Hand Off

You don't need to do all of this yourself. Radiators, baseboards, kitchen degreasing, bathrooms, cabinet fronts and floors are all part of a professional deep cleaning. A lot of families tackle the closets, screens and basement themselves and leave the heavy cleaning to a team, then switch to a recurring schedule for the busy months.