Spring cleaning is a habit many =dive into as the days get longer and the flowers start blooming. However, professional cleaners now say it's actually fall cleaning that deserves all the fanfare, and for six very specific reasons.
A big part of preparing your home for fall, fall cleaning helps get your space ready for cooler months, but there are some sinister reasons why cleaning after summer is essential, too.
Here, the pros break down why fall cleaning is more important than spring cleaning, and offer tips on how to switch up your summer shutdown.
Why fall cleaning is more important than spring cleaning
While spring cleaning helps to prepare your home for brighter weather, clearing out the mustiness of being shut up all winter, fall cleaning helps to close your home down for cold weather.
This allows you to get rid of dirt, germs, and allergens that could prove problematic as you spend more time indoors. Not to mention that creating a comprehensive fall cleaning checklist gives you helpful reminders about potential health hazards, such as chimney sweeping and HVAC systems servicing.
With that in mind, here's four major benefits of knowing where and when to start fall cleaning, according to our experts.
1. It gets rid of allergens let in through summer
There are plenty of cleaning tips for allergy sufferers, but one of the best is to do a final deep clean at the end of summer when you are closing your windows and doors for longer periods of time.
Elizabeth Shields, manager at Super Cleaning Services, Louisville, says, ‘A clean and organized space not only creates a cozy atmosphere that aligns with fall's warmth but also reduces allergens, prevents mustiness in closed environments, and sets the stage for seasonal decor and indoor activities.
‘Throughout summer, open windows can lead to dust settling on windowsills and indoor surfaces, air conditioning units can accumulate dust and dirt during heavy use in summer, and summer pollen can make its way indoors, adding to the dust and debris.' Elizabeth explains.
‘What’s more, frequent in-and-out movement through open doors allows dirt to accumulate more easily and visits to parks and playgrounds can result in dirt and sand being brought back home.'
Clearing out allergens is a key part of maintaining a happy home microbiome, too.
I love the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster. Far superior to a microfiber cloth, this handy little sponge picks up any dust in its path with ease, rather than spreading it around and, with a simple rinse, it is ready to use over and over again without any build up. It's perfect for allergy sufferers and I loved it when I tested it around my home.
2. It covers areas you won't think about in spring
Spring cleaning checklists are thought to be some of the most in-depth cleaning to-do lists we tackle each year, but even they miss vital areas of our homes that are needed in fall and winter.
Aaron Christensen, cleaning guru at Homeaglow reminds us of the most forgotten spring cleaning spots in our home that may slip our minds when ramping up the summer months in spring.
‘Extra jobs to think about are chimney cleaning, curtain washing, and carpet cleaning,’ he says. ‘You’ll want to clean your chimney to remove bugs, spiders, and soot from your flue. Curtains and carpets need to be cleaned after summer to remove dust and pollen. Add your curtains to the wash if suitable for machine washing, and steam clean your rugs and carpets.’
Learn how to clean curtains in detail, or understand the laundry symbols on yours.
3. It gives you time to schedule repairs
On the note of tackling otherwise forgotten areas, dealing with HVAC systems and chimneys in early fall gives you plenty of time to schedule maintenance and repairmen ahead of the busy winter season.
Preparing ahead will ensure that important appliances such as heating systems or water heaters will not fail in the coldest of weather when you rely on them most and workmen are few and far between.
Scheduling fall repairs and maintenance on various systems around your home is also a great first step to winterizing your house.
4. It tackles minor infestations of summer spiders
Although something we likely don't want to think about, the end of summer sees the peak of spider season, with these creepy crawlies welcoming themselves inside in search of mates and shelter. Muffetta Krueger, founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants points out that fall cleaning is important to helping get rid of these before they set up nests.
Muffetta says, 'The warmer months bring unwelcome guests in the form of insects and spiders. With windows and doors frequently open, these critters often find their way indoors. Fall cleaning provides the perfect opportunity to evict them from your living spaces and seal off potential entry points. Ensuring a bug-free home not only promotes cleanliness but also contributes to your peace of mind.’
It is also a good time to consider some ways to keep spiders away naturally, to prevent any more coming in as we transition between seasons.
Many common house pests, including spiders, hate the strong smell of peppermint and it's a natural way to repel bugs. Spritzing this pest control spray around common entry points is a great way to keep them at bay while making your home smell fresh.
5. Houses are generally dirtier after summer
No matter how many cleaning tips and tricks we employ throughout the year, our homes are naturally dirtier in summer, says Bonnie Borromea Tomlinson, professional organizer and author of Stop Buying Bins, available at Amazon.
‘More than likely, you did less cleaning in the summer. Whether it was because it was too hot for the activity or you just weren't spending that much time inside, the interior of your home has gone a bit longer between cleanings. Now it's back-to-school time, then Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years – all in succession. More inside time, more competing schedules and activities, more chances to create a mess.
‘The heavy early fall cleaning is to reset your home so it's ready to take the hit the next four months will bring. And if you do it well, all you have to do going forward is maintain it.’
6. It improves indoor air quality
While it is still important to open your windows regularly over winter to prevent musty smells and mold growth (for instance after bathing or in the morning), we will be letting fresh air in a lot less than in spring and summer.
This makes fall cleaning vital to give your home one big air out says Ally Moisse, cleaning expert and owner of Pearl Lemon Cleaning, 'Fall cleaning is more important than spring cleaning because you are preparing to be stuck indoors for the six months or so. You need to have vents and filters replaced/cleaned for cleaner air quality.
'It's nice to clean during the fall because temperatures have dropped but not too much to where its uncomfortable or cost deficient to open windows.'
This is one of the reason so many countries have fall cleaning traditions based around airing out rooms and purifying before the colder season sets in.
Fall cleaning can also have positive effects on our mental health, concludes cleaning expert Muffetta Krueger. At a time when many of us suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, cleaning can help to restore order.
Muffetta explains, ‘In a season of change, fall cleaning brings a sense of renewal. It's a chance to clear out clutter, organize spaces, and reestablish a serene atmosphere to make our homes less depressing in fall and winter. A well-cleaned and organized home can have positive effects on mental well-being, allowing you to fully embrace the comforts of fall.'
