Go for the glow.
Sure there are big things to do like polishing floors and furniture and making tiles glisten. But it’s also important to remember the little details too.
Trash task.
Why should spring be the only time you do a little cleaning? Go through the house, shelf by shelf, drawer by drawer, cabinet by cabinet, and discard bottles of outdated medications, empty cleaning bottles, summer-worn towels and past-its-prime makeup. You’ll open up much more space, making any room feel clean and inviting.
Pantry cleanup.
Don’t forget the pantry and the spice rack. We’re approaching the holiday season, so there will be plenty of cooking and baking ahead. Get a jump-start by making sure your staples are fresh. In addition, wipe down cupboards, pantry shelves, cabinets and the outside of canisters with
Windex® Multi-Surface Antibacterial. And then wipe off with a dry paper towel or lint-free cloth. While you’re in the kitchen, also consider tossing pots and pans that have seen better days.
Keyboard strike.
Your computer keyboard can be a magnet for trapping things like pet hair, crumbs, dust and other debris. Because you’ll be spending more time indoors, this is the perfect time to clear those grooves by turning the keyboard upside down over a trash can and gently shaking out any trapped particles.
Window glow.
Brighten your windows so they let in as much light as possible, especially as daylight hours start to dwindle. Sparkling clean windows (
Windex® Original Glass Cleaner can do the trick here) enhance the effect of golden rays streaming across a room, giving your rooms a special magic.
Yesterday’s news.
Those old newspapers, catalogs and out-of-date magazines that have been piling up all summer long? Time to clear them out: stack and recycle them according to your neighborhood guidelines (and make a note in your calendar to remind yourself which days your regular recycling pickup takes place).
Dust runner.
Allergen alert! This is the season for ’em. There are the obvious places to dust, like TV screens and lampshades where you can actually see the dust gathering. But don’t forget to take care of less conspicuous spots where dust and the allergens found in dust can accumulate: the tops of bookshelves, wall hangings, knickknacks, air vents and ceiling fans. (Use
Pledge® Multi Surface Duster to easily remove dust and pick up the allergens found in dust from dust mites, pollen and pet dander.)
Pet pickups.
Start by gathering scattered pet toys and putting them in one place. Shake out the dog bed and give it a thorough airing, getting rid of any lingering summer debris. You might wash the bedding now to give your pet a fall pick-me-up. Clean and sweep around litter boxes and cages and don’t forget the pet door flap. Give everything a quick wipe-down with
Windex® Multi-Surface Antibacterial and spray the air with a good air sanitizer like
Glade® Tough Odor Solutions Air Sanitizer.
Hearth healthy.
The hearth is the heart of any room, especially in cooler weather. Give it some welcoming warmth by making tiles glisten, wood glow or stone sparkle. Don’t forget the pictures on the mantel or any mirrored surface that can reflect light. And stock up on firewood so you’re ready when the first cold snap arrives.
Coat closet overhaul.
Look over those winter coats and jackets now. Fall is a good time to wash what you can, donate what you don’t wear and make any necessary repairs (check out linings and inside pockets) and send the rest to the dry cleaner. Gather up hats, scarves, gloves and mittens; then sort, match or discard.
Remove fingerprints.
Smudges may seem insignificant in summer (after all, they just keep on coming), but they definitely dim the glow now that you’re indoors. Pay special attention to frequently touched areas such as light switches and around doorknobs (especially bedroom closet doors) with a multi-surface cleaner like
Pledge® Multi Surface Wipes. Use it to wipe down dust collectors like telephones and remotes too.
Curtain call.
Your curtains have probably been pulled up or back all summer and may be looking a bit dingy and dusty. This is the time to take them down and wash them. More are washable than you think. Just be sure to check the label instructions.
Rugs redo.
Your family and pets have probably been tracking in grass, sand, dirt and grime all summer, so how about getting those floor coverings clean? Toss small washable rugs (like those in the bathroom) into the washing machine. Or “shake and bake”—shake them out and then let them sit in the sun to air out. Consider spot-cleaning larger rugs (always check to see if the label reads “washable”) or get rugs professionally dry-cleaned now before the holiday season arrives.