Autumn Is Coming: Prioritize These Fall Homekeeping Tasks in Every Room

After a glorious few months of endless fun in the sun and outdoor soirées, the countdown to fall has officially begun. Though it can be bittersweet to say goodbye to summer, autumn has plenty to offer. Pumpkin-spiced everything? Cozy sweaters? Plenty of time spent in the great indoors? We'll take them all!

However, before you move all of your social gatherings and lounging sessions inside, you might want to consider preparing your home for the colder months ahead. Between long weekends at the beach and nights hanging by the backyard grill, it might have been a minute since you gave your space a deep, thorough clean. But, where to begin?

To make your fall cleaning session easier, we asked a few experts to share their best advice for tidying every room in the house. From your bedroom to your bathroom and beyond, the tips below will ensure that no stone is left unturned—or unclean.

The Kitchen

Whether you're heating up last night's leftover or making a multi-course meal from scratch, one thing's for sure: Your kitchen is one of the most important (and most used rooms) in the house. That said, it also has the potential to be one of the dirtier areas. In addition to your regular chores—such as wiping down the counters and cleaning your range—it's a good idea to tackle some of those larger projects.

Clean the Sink

According to Leanne Stapf, the cleaning expert and COO of The Cleaning Authority, your sink is a great place to start. "You may be surprised to find out your kitchen sink can actually foster more bacteria than your home's toilets," she says. For the best results, Stapf recommends adding a mix of 3 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon dish soap, and ¼ cup warm water to your sink and giving it a good scrub.

"To sanitize the sink, fill it with warm water," Stapf says. "Add just a small amount of bleach and let that sit for at least 5 minutes before draining the sink. Be sure to wipe down the handles and faucet as well."

Examine Your Fridge

While you're at it, the beginning of fall is also a great time to take an audit of your refrigerator. Not only should you discard any expired groceries, but you'll also want to physically clean your refrigerator. "Take everything out of your refrigerator and get rid of any expired goods or items you no longer need," says Bailey Carson, Home Care Expert at Angi. "Wipe down the shelves of your refrigerator and put everything back in its place."

Of course, your non-perishables will need the same treatment, so don't forget to take a look at your pantry, too.

The Entryway

Want to ensure your home has a grand entrance this fall? Michael Rubino, an indoor quality and toxic mold expert, author of "The Mold Medic," and the founder of HomeCleanse, encourages you to dust everything.

Dust the Foyer

"Where the dust settles, microscopic particles such as mold spores and mycotoxins also settle," Rubino says. "Removing dust also removes these particles so they don't get kicked up into the environment."

Though it's a good idea to dust all of your home's nooks and crannies, cleaning your entryway is crucial. (After all, you and your guests will bring Mother Nature's pollen and dirt straight into your foyer.) To get the job done, Rubino recommends enlisting a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap all those unfavorable particles. As for those windows and windowsills? Break out the multipurpose cleaning spray and microfiber towels.

Set Up a Coat and Shoe Rack

Once your foyer is dust-free, think about where you'll put those warm-weather accessories. In addition to filling a coat rack with those heavier layers, Stapf recommends making a DIY shoe rack for those wet kicks. "Take a plastic tray filled with rocks or pebbles and let the boots drip inside," she says. "And if the inside of your boots got wet, put newspaper in them—it will soak right up!"

The Living and Dining Areas

It doesn't matter if you have an open concept layout or defined rooms, it's safe to say you'll spend the bulk of autumn in your living and dining areas. As it turns out, the seasonal shift is a great opportunity to refresh your décor.

Move Some Furniture

If you want to turn over a new leaf this fall—pun intended—Stapf encourages you to switch up your furniture arrangement. "Move your furniture so it lays up against your interior walls instead of your exterior ones," she says. "This simple change will help keep you warmer—and even creates a more intimate atmosphere."

Opt for Heavier Textiles

It's also a great time to scatter some heavier, cozier throw blankets on your couch and reconsider your window treatments. "Many homeowners use thin sheers inside the windows to keep an aesthetic appeal, while keeping the home cool," Stapf says. "In the winter, switch these out with heavier drapes. This helps keep the warm air in and that chilling breeze out."

Clean Your Fireplace

Speaking of keeping that warm air in: Fall is a suitable time to start utilizing your fireplace. But, before you do, you'll want to prepare for any potential messes. "The ashes from the fire quickly build up and this can be a nuisance to clean," Stapf says. "Before lighting the fire, place a double layer of tin foil across the bottom. Once the fire has burnt out, take out the tin foil, which will contain all the ashes, and throw it away! "

The Bedroom

Of course, no conversation about home cleaning would be complete without mentioning your bedroom. When you think about prepping your boudoir for the fall, you might think about putting your sweaters and jackets toward the front of your closet or trading in your breezy linen sheets for a thicker flannel set—but there's more to it than that.

Invest in or Clean a Rug

According to our experts, one of the best things you can do for your bedroom this fall is invest in a rug. "Most of us love the look and feel of our hardwood or tile floors, but getting out of bed and putting your feet on the cold ground can be a bit shocking. In the winter, this is even worse," Stapf says. "Place a rug in the front of your bed to keep your feet from freezing."

If you already have a rug or carpet, Carson recommends hiring a professional to clean your plush surface or tackling the mess yourself. "Summer's outdoor activities can result in dirt tracking all over your bedroom carpet," she says. But, why stop there? For an extra clean, consider removing dust from your light fixtures and nightstands with the help of a multipurpose cleaner and microfiber towel.

The Bathroom

Though a tidy bathroom is always the key to good home hygiene, the change of seasons is a great time to give your private quarters a deep, thorough clean.

Refresh Your Towels

To start, Rubino recommends throwing your towels, rags, shower curtains, and bath mats in the laundry—and use a botanical cleanser that has an additive called EC3. "Products like this help pull small particles like mold spores from porous surfaces," he says.

Clean Your Caulking and Grout

While you're waiting for your bath linens to dry, Rubino encourages you to scrub down your bathroom's caulk and tile grouts. Though cleaning those tight, stubborn spots will require some elbow grease, using a hydrogen peroxide cleaner and a microfiber towel will make the job a lot easier.

Sort Through Your Medicine Cabinet

Next up on your bathroom to-do list? Taking care of your medicine cabinets. "After doing your regular cleaning like cleaning your bathtub, shower, and mirrors, clear out your cabinets and get rid of anything you no longer need," Carson says. "Wipe down the inside of your cabinets and put the items back where they belong." If you want to take your deep clean a step further, check your cosmetics' expiration dates and discard anything that's past its prime.

Light a Candle

Admittedly, your bathroom has no shortage of cleaning chores; however, we recommend lighting a seasonal candle to make the process more enjoyable—and give your space an autumnal attitude.