Fall Home Chore Checklist
Get ready for autumn (and winter) with these easy to knock-off chores around the house
We're sure you’d rather be strolling through an apple orchard or enjoying hard cider at that new brewery, but sooner or later that fall to-do list catches up with us all. With the arrival of fall, comes a list of home projects. While it’s tempting to postpone these chores in favor of enjoying the crisp, cool air, it’s essential to not neglect your home during this busy season. In fact, fall is the perfect time for a yearly reset for both you and your home. The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your entire weekend to tackle these autumn projects. We’ll cover the essential tasks that should be on your fall to-do list, so you can still enjoy autumn and get your home ready for the season ahead.
Bring Outdoor Furniture In
As days grow shorter, it’s time to think about your outdoor furniture. Bringing these pieces indoors for the season isn’t just an act of preservation, it’s a smart investment. Storing your outdoor furniture can extend their lifespan, save you money, and shield them from the elements so they’re ready to shine next spring.
Before bringing your outdoor furniture in, it’s a good idea to give them a good cleaning. When it comes to your furniture, plastic, vinyl, and simulated wood/wicker are easily maintained with some soapy water and a garden hose (or a pressure washer). However, metal and natural materials like wood, wicker, and rattan are a bit more high maintenance. Bobvila.com has some great tips on how to care for your outdoor furnishings.
The most effective way to protect your outdoor furniture when the chilly weather rolls in, is to store it someplace safe and dry. This could be in a garage, shed, or basement. If your furniture has cushions, consider removing and stashing them in a deck storage box or bins to protect them from moisture, dust, or debris. Now, if space is tight and you can’t fit your outdoor furniture inside, a sturdy cover is a good option. A cover can shield your furniture from the elements year-round, making it a worthwhile investment. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, a waterproof tarp will do the job just fine.
Clear Out Gutters
Fall foliage may be stunning, but it also means falling leaves. And where do they end up? You guessed it, your gutters. Don’t forget that gutters play a vital role in keeping your home safe and dry. By diverting water away from the house, they reduce the risk of hefty water damage to your basement, siding, roof, wall, foundation, and more. Ignoring this chore now could lead to costly repairs down the road.
It’s also a good time to check the overall health of your gutters. Keep an eye out for small cracks or splits that could be letting water seep into the fascia behind your gutters. Do you see puddles of water or mold? That’s a sign that your gutters are clogged, and debris needs to be removed.
When you’re ready to clean out your gutters, equip yourself with the right gear. Grab gloves, a high-quality, sturdy ladder, and a screwdriver to tighten any loose brackets while going through your gutters. Use a gutter scoop to removed debris, which you can make from an old milk jug or purchase at the hardware store.
Safety first! Make sure you use a high-quality ladder that extends to the right height. Always have a buddy nearby in case you need a hand or have any mishaps. If you’re not too keen on heights, consider calling in the pros for some extra peace of mind.
Fertilize Your Lawn
After a scorching summer, your lawn deserves some care. Experts say that fall fertilization is key to a healthy lawn. Fertilizing in the fall helps your lawn recover from the harsh weather and prepares it for the winter months ahead. A well-nourished lawn will reward you by bouncing back with lush, green color come spring.
When choosing a lawn fertilizer, look for an easy-to-apply, nutrient-rich option that will help your lawn build strong roots. Fall is also a great time to get perennial weeds like dandelions and clover under control, so a ‘weed and feed’ option is also a good choice.
Ideally, aim to feed your lawn about six to eight weeks before the average first frost in your area. For most homeowners, that will fall between September through early November. After you’ve applied fertilizer, make sure to water your lawn generously.
Put the Water to Bed
After the furniture has been cleaned and stored, the windows washed, the gutters flushed, the yard cleaned up, and the sprinklers turned off (after you fertilize, of course), we're left with of the last chores on the list before the arrival of winter: taking care of your garden hoses.
Prior to putting your hose away for winter, check to ensure that it is completely empty of water to avoid freezing and resultant wear to the liner.
Check for kinks, cracks, and holes. With proper storage, many kinks can be straightened, but leaving them in the hose could cause potential issues with cracking and leaking down the line. Cracks, holes, and leaks can be repaired in some cases, but typically only if diagnosed before they become too significant.
Storing it properly means draining it and then coiling it neatly. When you are coiling your hose, first, turn off the water (even better if you have the hose downhill to let excess water drain). Then, holding the hose a few feet away from the spigot, begin by bending the hose into a three-foot-diameter loop and repeating the process, stacking each subsequent loop atop the previous loop.
(One trick to getting a complete and well-stacked circle? Try coiling it around the base of a trash can!)
Fix Your Foliage
While it might feel like it’s time to put the garden to bed, don’t do it quite yet! There are a few garden chores that are important to do now, that your future self will thank you for.
Plant fall bulbs like tulips or daffodils now and they’ll give you a stunning display come spring. If you live in a cooler climate, get your bulbs in the ground by October. If you live in a warmer climate, you have a little more time and can wait until mid- to late- November.
Before tucking your garden bed in for the winter, tidy it up by cutting back perennials that are done blooming. It’s also important to rake away debris and pluck any persistent weeds to improve the health of your garden and prevent disease.
Continue to enjoy your garden and add vibrancy to your outdoor space by fall planters.
Get Punchy!
A punch of color, that is. That's right...enough of the boring "adulting" chores (hey, even a fenestration fanatic has limits). Let's talk about adding a little bit of color, drama, and curb appeal to take us into the dark winter.
Planter boxes and patio pots are the easy, non-permanent way to add some pizazz to your space. The ubiquitous mum is a popular choice because it is abundant, low-maintenance, and colorful. It makes a great container plant, and many hardy varieties can be planted in-ground as perennials, their beautiful blooms helping your garden beds go out with a bang. Another fall favorite, ornamental kale, comes in a variety of colors and is cold tolerant, making it another great choice for your fall garden. Continue watering outdoor plants until temperatures consistently fall below 40 degrees to get the most out of your fall florals.
Other good options for patio pots, window boxes, or fall beds to bring some vibrancy to your porch include rosemary, which has a beautiful dual-toned green coloring, adds height, and smells delicious; ornamental kale, with its wide color palette ranging from bright purples to maroon and every shade of green from soft and light to deep hunter; and the ever-graceful pansy, available in almost any color and at its best with lower night temperatures.
Another fun place to freshen up for fall is your front-door area. A makeover here can be quick,easy, and inexpensive. A few things to try:
• Paint your door a vibrant or bold color. This is easiest when you can completely remove the door. Use a primer, and if you’re refinishing an old wooden door, you’ll need to sand first. Check out this article on Fab Front Door Colors for some inspiration!
• Get creative with your house number. Whether you display it on the door or somewhere else, Houzz has you covered with these house numbers for every style.
• Update the door hardware. Replacing your small shabby door handle with a large, bold and sturdy handle and adding a beautiful door knocker can make a world of difference!
• Make the most of the space on your front door. Try swapping out colorful wreaths each season, using a stylish door mat, or placing large vases with beautiful greenery on each side of the door for a quick makeover!
Check Your Windows
Late autumn and winter days can be dark and dreary. Don’t let dirty windows make it worse. These last lingering days of warm weather is a great time to get rid of the grime and clean your windows. Head into fall with a clear view and capture all of those last lingering rays. Need tips on cleaning your windows? Check out this great column on window cleaning made easy with our guest blogger Laurie March, of HGTV’s “House Counselor” fame.
But what if it's not just some smudges on your windows bringing you down...To help turn your home into a cozy winter retreat, it’s also important to inspect your windows for leaks or drafts. Changes in temperature or humidity, combined with normal wear and tear, can lead to cracked or shrunken window seals. These pesky drafts not only affect your comfort but can cause energy bills to soar.
Here are 7 questions to ask when checking your windows:
• Are they damaged? Damaged windows can leave your home vulnerable and create compounding issues that will worsen over time if not repaired quickly.
• Do you feel drafts or leaks? Drafty windows not only make your space uncomfortable, but they may be a sign of damage from insects or moisture.
• How is your home’s temperature control? If you find your home hot and muggy in the summer or freezing cold in the winter, your old windows could be to blame.
• Are they dated? Style preferences change and so do safety codes. If you have an older home, it may need updated windows to comply with fire egress regulations.
• Are you seeing poor performance? If you feel like you’ve put in a workout when opening or closing your windows, it may be time to replace.
• Have you done a sound check? If pedestrians on the sidewalk, cars flying by, or the yappy dog next door are giving you grief, replacing your windows could help give you peace and quiet.
• Are they just plain worn out? Sometimes windows have served their purpose for as long as they were meant to. Chipped, water-stained, or dated windows signal it’s time for an upgrade.
Not sure whether you need to replace or repair your windows? Schedule a free, in-home window diagnosis.
If you decide it’s time to replace your windows, these Renewal by Andersen® replacement windows are great options to consider.
With these windows, you can cozy up without worrying about cold spots or skyrocketing energy costs. Our High-Performance Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass is 70% more energy efficient in the summer and 47% more energy efficient in the winter compared to ordinary dual pane glass.* And we now offer an enhanced triple-pane option to help keep you even cozier. Curious about glass options and how they can help with energy costs? Learn more about all of our glass options here.
Enhance Your Energy Efficiency
Did we mention winter is coming? (Yeah, we know...reality bites.) That means shorter, colder days...and an increse in utility usage. One great fall project is making a few simple tweaks around the home to become more energy efficient in the coming season.
Consider switching to energy efficient LED light bulbs--they are available for virtually any use case, and cost a fraction of traditional incandescents to run.
Get a good seal. A home energy audit that reviews your home's caulking, weather stripping, and even your attic insulation, will help you target old, damaged, or diminished materials for replacement, which can help reduce drafts and keep your space cozy.
Make sure your fireplace is properly outfitted with dampers, doors, and fireplace inserts to reduce heat loss. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, call a professional to have it inspected and cleaned in early fall before burning season--that's not just an energy tip, it's a vital piece of home safety.
Upgrade certain features of your home such as your thermostat, large appliances, and windows to energy efficient products. Try using one of the new "smart" thermostats--you'd be surprised how intuitive and easy to use they are, and what a change they can make. (And many you can easily install yourself in minutes) And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that replacing old windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows has been shown to lower household energy bills by an average of 12% nationwide!
Simple changes to your daily routine can make a difference, too! Turn the lights off when you leave the room, take shorter showers, and turn off the water while you brush your teeth. Unplug the “energy vampires” in your home when they aren’t in use: plugged in electrical devices like TVs, stereos, microwaves, and other small appliances draw electricity even when they aren’t actively running. Make it easy by using a power strip for electronic devices and flipping one switch to power them all down.
Give Yourself a Cozy Retreat
Before you settle in for the winter months, give your home a deep clean. Tackle those easily overlooked nooks and crannies to give your home a fresh start. Remove covers on throw pillows and toss them in the wash. Give doorknobs and handles a onceover to remove bacteria and grime that builds up over time. When’s the last time you rinsed out your trash cans? Now’s the perfect time to hose them down outdoors before it gets too cold.
To truly embrace the season, add an autumn-scented candle or diffuser to your space. Let scents like sweet cinnamon or warm apple pie transport you to a relaxing, fall retreat.
Here’s a checklist of sneaky household chores we tend to forget:
• Wash baseboards and molding
• Rotate and/or flip mattresses
• Dust ceiling fan
• Deep clean the oven
• Wash throw pillows and blankets
• Wipe down light switches and doorknobs
• Dust window blinds
• Wash shower curtains
• Clean out the fireplace
Check these fall projects off your to-do list to show your home the love it deserves and give yourself a place to relax and enjoy the season.
