With summer ending, it’s now time to get your home ready for the autumn’s great return exodus. As days shorten, people move back indoors – and, pssst, it’s been been six months since spring cleaning. Ease the stress of back to school and work by keeping in mind four simple tricks to beautifully prepare your abode for fall. Remember: back to busy doesn’t need to mean back to messy.
Pack up the Patio
It’s always hard to accept the end of patio season, but there comes a time to embrace the chilly evenings. Wash and dry cushions or fabrics before you store them and put covers over furniture you can’t bring indoors. Drain kiddie pools and clean them thoroughly before storing them for the winter. Properly cleaning and storing your summer essentials will make room for raking the leaves when they inevitably arrive.
Get Set for Sweater Weather
Cleaning out closets and drawers to make room for the heavier togs of autumn. Clearly labeled boxes are a boon: Help the kids decide what to store for winter, what to keep in the closet year-round, and what to donate to charity. Give the summer clothes one last wash before packing it away! Need even more space? Shallow Rubbermaid boxes stay out of out of the way keep cargo protected from dust and sunlight.
Minimize Bathroom Clutter
If you’ve got teenagers, then there’s no greater struggle than accurately judging primping time. A well-organized bathroom can keep the lineup running smoothly by making everything from eyelash curlers to pimple cream easy to find. Purge seasonal makeup and toss cosmetics that have passed their expiration date. Most makeup is only good for three months to a year, and eye makeup in particular should be replaced regularly to avoid infection.
Freshen up the Fridge
The end of popsicle season is a great time to de-gunk your refrigerator. Remove all food and turf anything past its expiry date. Then, remove the shelves, soak, scrub, and air dry. Wiping them down with baking soda and water will eliminate any remnant odours. Put everything back in a logical, organized way and assess what’s needed for on-the-go breakfasts, brown-bag lunches, and quick weeknight dinners.
