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Fall Cleanup Checklist
The house and yard jobs to work through as fall turns toward frost and the holidays.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
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Start in September and early October, says one Central Illinois lawn crew. By the time the leaves are fully down, some of the best steps are already missed. Another source suggests tackling a couple of tasks a day, so the holiday season doesn't catch you mid-rake. This list does the house first, then the yard. It assumes a single-family home somewhere with a real freeze, and it leaves out commercial grounds work and anything that needs a licensed pro beyond booking one.
Why these items are on the list
- Clean windows, swap heavy drapes. Lighter curtains or sheers let in the shorter days' sunshine once summer heat is gone.
- Pack away summer gear. Things like beach towels, picnic gear and camping chairs take up room you'll want for winter coats.
- Clear out fridge and freezer. Make space for leftovers and a big turkey before holiday cooking starts.
- Purge expired pantry items. Donate extra canned goods while you're at it, and leave room for baking supplies.
- Scrub oven and stovetop. Do it now, before you're elbow-deep in pie crusts and roasting pans.
- Shampoo carpets and rugs. They collect dust, pollen and pet hair over summer. Do it before the windows close for good.
- Wash pillows, duvets, mattress covers. It clears out allergens before everyone's under heavier covers.
- Swap in heavier bedding. Quilts or flannel sheets make a real difference as nights get colder.
- Rotate the seasonal wardrobe. Sandals and shorts away, sweaters and boots out. Donate anything you won't wear again.
- Wash or replace shower curtains. Keeps mold and mildew from sneaking in.
- Clear expired medicine cabinet items. Toss what's past its date, then restock basics like cough drops and pain relievers.
- Check smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are on the often-overlooked seasonal safety list, so test each one now.
- Change HVAC filters. Another safety check that one source flags as often overlooked before winter.
- Book a chimney inspection. Also on the often-overlooked list. Get it on the calendar early.
- Rake leaves a little daily. Leaves left too long can smother grass, and pests can shelter under leaves and weeds.
- Clear garden and flower beds. Remove plant debris before the ground freezes to help keep insects and disease from returning.
- Clean and store stakes and cages. Wash them to kill infections, then put them away for next year.
- Add a fresh layer of mulch. It insulates roots and helps suppress weeds through winter.
- Empty porch pots. Terra cotta cracks in freeze and thaw. Store dry, or upend against the house under a tarp.
- Clean and oil pruners. Sharpen the blades, then coat with a little vegetable oil to prevent rust.
- Drain hoses and irrigation. Standing water can freeze and split pipes. In Central Illinois, that window opens around mid-October.
- Prune dead branches. Spot dead wood before the leaves drop completely. Heavy snow can break dead limbs and drop them.
- Water trees and shrubs. If there's been no snow or decent rain, give them a good drink before winter.
- Make a final mow. Green View says turf left too long invites snow mold and suggests cutting to about 2.5 to 3 inches.
Tick it a few items at a time on your phone, and hand the yard half to whoever's holding the rake. The indoor jobs wait patiently for a rainy day.
When to use it
Use it through the fall, starting before the first hard frost where you live.