Has it felt like a long summer or a short one? As kids return to school and mornings get cooler, it may seem like both a relief and a sadness as the days become shorter and more structured. The change in seasons doesn’t just happen outdoors, however. It occurs inside, too, as responsibilities and wardrobes adjust.
When it’s time to prep your house or office for the upcoming fall months, it can be a time to reset, rebalance, and restructure. Here are some tips to help you.
3 Tips to Prep Your House for the Upcoming Fall Months
Create a new chore chart.
With kids returning to school, it is time to bring back a routine supportive of shorter, structured weekdays that will assist in keeping your residential space clean. Take this time to update (or create) a new chore chart with quick, daily tasks kids can do to stay on top of organization. In the summer, longer projects may make more sense, but in the fall, this often doesn’t work (except maybe on the weekends).
Ten-minute tasks that are part of a routine will keep everyone proactive and allow for more fun-time, instead of chore-time, on weekends. When kids walk in the door from school, have them hang up jackets and put shoes in one place. Have them do one task before starting homework and one more right after dinner or before bed.
Create a to-do list.
Just as the kids have their short chores, also make a list of the items you want to accomplish. Put them into groups of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Create an extra list of special projects that need to be done, such as making a home repair or organizing a storage area.
Our minds often default into overwhelm when we aren’t exactly clear about what we can do when we are “bored.” A go-to list will help bridge this gap on days when you have the energy to do one more thing. This can help you avoid the “one more episode” binge-watching habit and do something productive and supportive instead.
Swap Out Seasonal Items.
Every season there is an opportunity to organize. Take inventory of what you have and don’t need anymore. Then, donate, sell, or throw it away if you won’t use it. Items that you will use again, clean and store. Remove from storage any items that would be needed for fall, such as heavier bedding, throw blankets, baking supplies, and festive fall decor items.
One of the best parts of swapping out seasonal items is replacing them for the new year. If you’ve thrown things away, why not treat yourself to a new door wreath or fall-scented candles? This can help make cleaning and organizing more joyful.
3 Tips to Prep Your Office for the Upcoming Fall Months
Declutter.
Take some time to walk through your office to determine if that stack of papers or retired electronic equipment can find a new home. This could mean recycling, donating, or disposing of it.
Offices can fall into the trap of piling rather than filing, and it’s often because people just don’t know what to do with things they are no longer interacting with. Tidy up and then consider making a process for preventing the clutter in the first place.
Purchase.
Another reason for clutter is that people may need more organizational tools to stay organized. Consider purchasing filing cabinets, shelving units, bookshelves, and other organizational items to help reduce clutter.
Are their areas that always seem dirty? Consider purchasing a spray bottle and paper towel dispenser and putting them in that area. Remember to place a trash can there too. Try creating a policy, such as cleaning the fridge out on the 5th of every month, to stay on top of messes or larger cleaning tasks.
Prepare.
Weather can change quickly in the fall, so be prepared and proactive. Consider area rugs for entryways and a broom and dustpan for when leaves blow in. Post signs that might alert visitors to hazards such as wet, slippery floors. Put up a coat rack for umbrellas and wet jackets to limit them from dripping through the office.
Think about other ways you may prepare for the fall months to help improve safety, cleanliness, and organization. If you have a suggestion or tip that has worked really well for you, please leave us a comment – we’d love to hear about it!
Hire a Professional Cleaning Service Near You
Staying on top of day-to-day cleaning may require some extra hands. Let A Cleaning Service help. If you have a home or business in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland areas, our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. With over 30 years in the cleaning business, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to make their life easier.
Our mission is to help with cleaning tasks so you can focus on the relationships that matter to you. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our range of services can support your cleaning and organization efforts.