Creating a fall clean-up checklist, and timeline, can help keep you on track while preparing for winter. First on your list should be high-traffic areas in your home like bathrooms, mudrooms, entryways, and living rooms. Next, jot down common problem areas around the house, such as junk drawers, medicine cabinets, playrooms, guest rooms, and more. After you determine your priorities, plan to set aside time each day to slowly chip away at your autumn cleaning list, one room at a time, so you are not overwhelmed by doing it all at once.

Deep cleaning and getting ready for winter is less overwhelming when there is less clutter to deal with. Choosing decluttering and getting rid of excess belongings is key to a successful autumn home organization process. However you choose to declutter, take time to consider which items you use, need, and want. Consider selling furniture online or having a garage sale if it is still in good condition, tossing trash and finding a place to donate household goods that are no longer serving you.

Once you have removed any excess clutter, kick off your fall home refresh with a top-to-bottom clean! Start by scrubbing the floors, walls, mirrors, windows, and baseboards. Give furniture a thorough wipe down or vacuum. Dust off overlooked areas like ceiling fans, vents, and shelves. To spend your time wisely as possible, try to focus your fall home cleaning on areas that see increased usage during the winter, such as guest bedrooms, bathrooms, the kitchen, and living room.

One easy way to get ready for winter is to switch out lightweight cotton or linen sheets with flannel sheets or thicker blankets for extra warmth on colder nights. Try adding some autumn or winter colors or patterns into your bedding, it can be a fun way to make your home more festive. When you are finished refreshing your bedding, go through your linens to determine if any sheets or blankets are worn out and ready to be replaced. 

As the weather changes, your wardrobe does too. Part of your home refresh should include cleaning out your closet to make picking out outfits a stress-free process. First, consider donating or repurposing any clothes that you won't wear in the seasons to come. Then organize your closet by placing warmer clothes up front for easy access and moving lightweight clothing to the back. If you don't have enough space at home for off-season clothing storage, consider compressing clothes in vacuum-sealed bags or utilizing temporary storage solutions.

Whether you plan on hosting parties, holiday gatherings, or simply want more space to cook, one of the best fall cleaning tips is to prioritize your kitchen. Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer, taking note of what's expired and what is still viable. If you have items that are still good that you don't plan to use, donate accepted items to a local food pantry to free up even more space. Wipe down all pantry and fridge shelves before you place food back onto them to avoid build-up. To round out fall home cleaning in your kitchen, pay attention to:

Your laundry room can double as a drop-off spot for various items throughout fall and winter, such as dirty sports equipment, wet clothes, and general clutter. Be sure to prep it during your autumn deep-clean! Put items that don't belong in the laundry room back in their designated spot, and throw away any empty or expired cleaning products. Another great tip to organize your laundry room, is adding shelves, hooks, or wall-mounted drying racks.

A key part of fall home organization for many is switching out seasonal decor. This can include rotating out seasonally-themed patio furniture, throw pillows, and other autumn decorations that don't entirely fit in with a late fall and winter aesthetic-for example, some switch out Halloween decorations with Thanksgiving decorations once November begins. While rotating out your decor, evaluate what you want to keep for next year and what you can let go of, and ensure winter decor is easy to access when the time comes. Put remaining decorations into a clear, labeled storage bin that can be kept out of sight or in a storage unit.