With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to prepare your home by completing home maintenance tasks and deep cleaning of the kitchen. Fall cleaning is an essential ritual, one that goes beyond merely tidying up, so I’ve designed a comprehensive fall cleaning checklist to help you and I’ve linked some of the top cleaning products to make the job easier!
Whether you’re hosting a delicious Thanksgiving feast in your home or simply making a few dishes or desserts to bring to someone else’s house, it makes a difference in your experience if you follow this list. Taking care of fall cleaning tasks before the holiday season begins is an essential practice that sets the stage for a stress-free and enjoyable season. Just think, when was the last time you deep cleaned your oven or checked the expiration dates on your spices?
By tackling cleaning and organizing projects in the kitchen and pantry ahead of time, we create an efficient space that not only makes it easier to tackle those recipes but also fosters a sense of well-being within ourselves. By prepping the kitchen in advance, we alleviate the last-minute rush and give ourselves ample time to focus on the true essence of Thanksgiving – gratitude, togetherness, and delicious moments shared with loved ones. And by completing home maintenance tasks at this same time each year, we can alleviate the stress of any unexpected trips to Lowes or Home Depot.
I love to complete tasks ahead of time that I know my future self will be thankful for. Plus, then I’m fully present during the holiday season, cherishing each moment without the distraction of disarray. So, let’s embrace the tradition of fall maintenance and deep cleaning, because it will feel so good to have these tasks completed before the Thanksgiving season begins!
So, read through this blog post, print out your free checklist, roll up your sleeves, put on your favorite podcast or playlist, and let’s get started!
1. KITCHEN CABINETS, PANTRY & baking supplies
- Kitchen Cabinets: Remove all items from the cabinets, wipe down shelves, and reorganize dishes, glasses, and cookware. Donate or discard items you no longer use. Organize dishes, glasses, and cookware for easy access.
- Pantry: Clean out the pantry, checking expiration dates and getting rid of expired or stale food. Group similar items together and label shelves for easy access.
- Baking Supplies: Organize your baking supplies such as flour, sugar, and spices. Check quantities and stock up on any necessary items for your Thanksgiving recipes.
2. APPLIANCES & COUNTERTOPS
- Refrigerator: Empty the refrigerator and clean all shelves, drawers, and compartments. Dispose of expired or spoiled food. Make space for Thanksgiving meal ingredients.
- Freezer: Defrost and clean the freezer. Discard any old or freezer-burnt items to make room for frozen Thanksgiving items.
- Small Appliances: Wipe down and clean small appliances like the microwave, toaster, air fryer, blender, and coffee maker.
- Countertops: Remove all items from countertops and thoroughly clean and disinfect them.
- Sink and Faucets: Scrub the sink and faucet thoroughly to remove any buildup. Consider adding a fresh, fall-scented soap dispenser.
- Garbage Disposal: Consider using a garbage disposal cleaning tablet. I suggest the Affresh disposal cleaner from Amazon. The Affresh brand is owned by Whirlpool, who also owns KitchenAid. These tablets clean what you can’t see: your machine’s chopper, internal cavity, and hose.
3. OVEN, STOVETOP, & DISHWASHER
- Oven and Stovetop: Give your oven and stovetop a deep cleaning to remove grease and food stains. This ensures your Thanksgiving dishes cook in a clean environment. I like to use the Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner. They also have an Easy-Off Pro Fume Free Oven Cleaner now too.
- Dishwasher: Empty the dishwasher and clean using a cleaning tablet. Again, I suggest using the Affresh brand. The Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner can be used during a normal dish wash cycle, or you can use it without dishes if you prefer. These tablets can be used monthly to power away limescale and mineral buildup, but doing this prior to Thanksgiving is key.
4. TABLEWARE, FLATWARE, & COOKING UTENSILS
- Tableware: Select and clean the tableware you plan to use for Thanksgiving dinner. Ensure you have enough plates, cutlery, glasses, and napkins for all your guests.
- Flatware: Use a cleaning and polishing cream to remove any tarnish from your flatware. I suggest using Wright’s Silver Cream. You simply rub it on your flatware with a soft cloth, and then rinse, clean with soap and water, and dry.
- Cooking Utensils: Clean and polish your cooking utensils, including spatulas, ladles, and whisks, so they are ready for holiday cooking.
5. KITCHEN FLOORS
- Kitchen Floors: Consider doing a deep cleaning of the kitchen floors, being sure to get to the corners and hard-to-reach areas to have a sparkling clean kitchen for the holiday season. In our kitchen we have wood floors, so I like to use the Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Spray. It’s unscented and leaves no residue. If you have stone, tile, laminate, or vinyl floors you might like this Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner Spray.
6. FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS
- Food Storage Containers: Check your food storage containers for damage or missing lids. Organize them and have them ready to store leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. I love to use glass food storage containers and I use these Pyrex Glass Containers.
- To-Go Containers: Consider stocking up on some to-go food storage containers to split up the leftovers among guests. These Meal Prep Containers that are reusable, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe make a great option. Then you don’t have to worry about anyone returning your good containers.
7. TRASH & RECYCLING BINS
Indoor Trash and Recycling Bins: Clean and disinfect both your trash and recycling bins inside your home. Consider using scented trash bags to keep unpleasant odors at bay.
Outdoor Trash and Recycling Bins: For your outdoor bins, there are companies that will come to clean, sanitize, and disinfect them for you. If you live in the Kansas City area like me, Clean Can LLC is a great option. They come to your curb on your regularly scheduled trash collection day. Simply leave your trash or recycle cans out on the curb like normal. After the waste management company empties your trash and recycle cans their cleaning unit will come by to clean, disinfect, and deodorize your cans inside and out. They even place an easily removable tag on the handle (no adhesives are used) to confirm that the container has been processed.
Glass Recycling: If you have pick-up service for your glass recycling, these containers can get filled up quickly. Be sure to take your glass recycling so your bin is empty and ready for your gathering.
8. SAFETY Check
- Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Replace batteries and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Fire Extinguishers: Check the location of your fire extinguishers to ensure safety during holiday cooking.
9. hvac MAINTENANCE
- HVAC Maintenance: Schedule a professional to inspect and clean your heating system before winter.
- Air Filter: Replace your air filters regularly. Remember, a clean filter is essential for efficient furnace operation and better indoor air quality. Clogged filters can reduce airflow, decrease heating efficiency, and even lead to premature wear on your HVAC system. It’s a good idea to check your furnace filter every month and replace or clean it as needed. If you’re unsure, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific furnace and filter type.
