You’ve heard of spring cleaning, but we would argue that autumn cleaning is just as important. Traditionally, spring cleaning is the seasonal refresh that allows you to open up your home for summer after months of hunkering down indoors. To flip that around, autumn cleaning allows you to prep your space for time spent inside. From additional insulation (think: warmer bedding, winter décor), to mould prevention, we’ve compiled an easy and precise guide to the home cleaning chores you need to check-off before winter.
Get more cleaning tips from Real Housewife Krissy Marsh:
Before we begin, you may have one glaring question…
Is autumn cleaning a thing?
We can’t claim ownership on the term ‘autumn cleaning’, as it’s definitely been thrown around before. However, it’s not nearly as popular or habitual as its seasonal sister ‘spring cleaning’. However, we would argue autumn cleaning should be a thing! It’s just as important — perhaps even more so — given how much time we spend in our homes during the cooler months.
Whether you subscribe to the idea or not, a regular ‘deep clean’ of your home allows you to set yourself up for a seasonal change, and ‘autumn cleaning’ gives you the impetus to tick-off a list of inevitable seasonal chores.
Autumn cleaning checklist:
- De-clutter your home
- Bring out the winter décor
- Get out your winter bedding
- Flip your mattresses
- Rotate and store seasonal wardrobe items
- Create a winter meal plan
- Stock up on winter fragrances
- Prevent mould
- Clean your heaters
- Freshen the fire pit
- Do autumn gardening
Without further ado, let’s get into the plan details…
De-clutter your home
Just as with spring cleaning, autumn cleaning is a prime reminder to rid your home of the things you simply don’t need. Dust can accumulate in the winter months, so it’s time to clear your spaces of anything that could gather even more dust. Store or donate under-loved knick-knacks, clear your benchtops, and store piles of books or papers in their proper location.
There’s also a good chance you’re re-discovering things you hoarded from the previous winter that just don’t speak to you anymore. Sort through your wardrobe and linen closet, and think about what you really want to wear this year, and what you’re happy to be free of.
Bring out winter décor
If you’re the type of person who switches up their soft furnishings between summer and winter, now is your time to get out your plush throws and insulating curtains. Thicker materials — like wool, cashmere, faux fur, fleece or velvet — can help keep the heat in your home during winter. Insulating rooms with rugs, blockout curtains, and knitted throws will assist in keeping you warm.
“Insulating rooms with rugs, blockout curtains, and knitted throws will assist in keeping you warm.”
Meanwhile, a winter colour palette can enhance the cosy ambience of the cooler months. Read our winter decorating ideas to help you out.
Use winter bedding
As we bid farewell to humid nights, we also say so long to our summer bedding. The autumn cleaning schedule definitely involves bringing out your winter bedding, like heavier doonas, quilts, blankets, and sheets. You may also have electric blankets you wish to fit to your mattress.
Our only tip is to start slowly with layers. Add a blanket first before swapping out the entire bedding range, just in case the Australian climate decides to throw you some curve balls.
Flip your mattresses
Some would recommend flipping your mattress every 3-6 months — and the start of each season is the perfect time to make it a habit. Flipping or rotating your mattress ensures a more even distribution of contact, meaning there won’t be any heavy indents on your chosen side. In turn, this prolongs the life of your mattress. It’s also said that flipping the mattress can help prevent mould.
Rotate your seasonal wardrobe
Many of us suffer from limited wardrobe and storage space, meaning we pack away our bulkier clothing items when summer rolls around. If this is you, autumn cleaning is the perfect time to bring these items out of storage, and replace them with any summer pieces that can’t be used as layers. Use vacuum bags to help stream line your stored items. And if you find your closet can’t handle the influx of winter coats, consider implementing some new wardrobe storage solutions.
“Use vacuum bags to help stream line your stored items.”
You may also want to use this autumn clean to ensure your winter items are washed or dry-cleaned, with boots polished or re-soled, as needed.
Prepare a winter meal plan
‘Tis the season where salads become soups and granola becomes porridge! We often crave heartier meals in winter, and it can’t hurt to get ahead of the curve by prepping your mind and pantry for a new slate of recipes. Head to the shops and stock up on key ingredients that might support your winter meal plan. From spices to stocks, canned goods and oats, consider how the seasons will affect your go-to recipes, and how you can make space in your pantry for key items. Looking for inspiration? Try our collection of comfort food recipes.
Use winter fragrances
While summer calls for coastal scents and springtime florals, the winter cool means a headier rotation of fragrances. Popular winter candle scents include woody, smoky, spicy and gourmand scents. You can also indulge in northern-hemisphere’s festive scents, like pine tree and Christmas aromas. Here’s an easy breakdown:
| Winter fragrance key | |
| Woody | Sandalwood, cedarwood, oud, patchouli, vetiver |
| Smoky | Leather, tobacco, campfire, resins, labdanum, birch tar |
| Spices | Cinnamon, clove, pink pepper, cardamom, nutmeg |
| Gourmand | Vanilla, caramel, baking scents, coffee, chocolate, gingerbread |
Don’t want to switch it up every year? There are some evergreen scents you can use year-round, including cotton notes, some florals and, Neale Whitaker’s favourite candle, fig.
Create a mould prevention plan
Some Australian climates make mould difficult to avoid. If your home lacks enough sunlight or airflow, you could find yourself with this nasty plague in your home. Consider stocking up on mould-preventing cleaning products and de-humidifying tools. This might include mould-preventing plants, moisture absorbers for your wardrobe, or a trusty de-humidifier.
Clean your heaters
If you have a fireplace, now is the time to give it a clean and get set-up with all the things you need for the months ahead. However, electric heaters need an autumn clean too. While they may need a good wipe-down when removed from storage, the prep doesn’t stop there. For example, many heaters need to be run for a short period with adequate ventilation to burn off any accumulated dust, dirt or grime, which releases an unpleasant odour. You don’t want to be doing this in the depths of winter, when opening your doors and windows will make you freeze. So, if you have an electric heater, run it for an hour or so one day or night when the weather is still warm enough for you to air out the house. An initial ‘trial run’ also allows you to ensure the heater still works and is safe to use.
“If you have an electric heater, run it for an hour or so one day or night when the weather is still warm enough for you to air out the house.”
Seal the gaps
If you’ve been putting off re-sealing certain windows or frames, now is your time. You don’t want that precious generated heat escaping your home through cracks and crevices in your walls. Your autumn cleaning list might include caulking window frames, patching up holes or investing in a good draft stopper for your doors.
Freshen the fire pit
How often do backyard fire pits sit there, ravaged with leaves, unusable throughout most of winter? If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor fire pit, you owe it to yourself to give it a good clean this autumn, stock up on firewood, and put it to proper use!
Prepare your garden for winter
We have an entire article on the gardening chores you need to tick off in autumn. It’s worth a read for avid gardeners, but to summarise, autumn is the perfect time to ensure your lawn and garden has the nutrients it needs to survive the winter. Feed and mulch your garden beds, prune your perennials and plant any species that will thrive in winter.
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