In the House
• Clean carpets, doormats, and rugs.
• Clean and store spring and summer clothing; bring out your fall and winter items.
• Flip and rotate mattresses. Launder all bedding.
• Clean out kitchen cupboards and the pantry.
• Clean behind your refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
• Replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors - this is usually done when it's time to return to Standard Time in late October or early November.
• Wash your windows.
• Hire someone to inspect your fireplace and chimney and get them ready for winter use.
• Clean out the garage. In my household, this is a weekly thing - with sports equipment and toys all around.
Outdoors
• Clean and store outdoor patio furniture and gardening supplies. Bleach works well for cleaning mildew off the cushions.
• Drain and store garden hoses.
• Install weatherstripping around outside doors.
• Protect pipes by wrapping them with electric heat tape, fiberglass insulation, or ready-made pipe jackets.
• Replace missing roof shingles or re-caulk as needed.
• Clear debris from gutters and downspouts. Make sure the leaves have all fallen or you will be doing this again in a few weeks.
ENJOY!
