Fall Cleaning Checklist for Chicago Homes

As the weather cools and heat season starts, fall is the best time to get your Chicago home ready for the months you’ll spend indoors. Use this room-by-room fall cleaning checklist to prepare for heating season, holiday guests, and winter salt and slush.

Get ready for heating season

Chicago’s heat season officially begins September 15, when landlords must start providing heat. Before the heat runs full time:

• Dust and vacuum heating vents, registers, and radiators so the first warm air doesn’t blow a season of dust around your home.
• Replace your furnace filter, or ask your building manager when it was last changed.
• Wipe down ceiling fan blades, then switch fans to run clockwise on low to push warm air down.
• Clean and store window air conditioners and box fans, or cover them for the winter.
• Clean your humidifier before its first use of the season.

Prepare your entryway for Chicago winter

• Put down heavy-duty doormats inside and out to catch road salt and slush.
• Set out a boot tray so wet shoes don’t damage hardwood floors.
• Deep clean entry floors and baseboards now, before salt residue builds up.
• Wash or replace entry rugs.

Kitchen: get ready for holiday cooking

• Clean the inside of the oven before Thanksgiving baking.
• Empty and wipe down the refrigerator to make room for holiday groceries.
• Degrease the range hood, backsplash, and cabinet fronts.
• Check the pantry and toss expired spices and baking supplies.

For step-by-step appliance tips, see our guide to deep cleaning your kitchen appliances.

Bedrooms and closets

• Swap summer clothes for cold-weather gear, and donate what you didn’t wear this year.
• Wash duvets, comforters, and heavier blankets before you need them.
• Vacuum and rotate mattresses.
• Dust closet shelves and wipe down hangers.

Windows and lighting

• Clean interior windows, sills, and tracks while it’s still mild enough to open them.
• Wash curtains or swap in heavier drapes.
• Dust blinds and light fixtures. Shorter days mean you’ll be using your lights more.

Outdoor spaces

• Clean and store patio furniture, cushions, and grill covers before the first freeze.
• Sweep leaves and debris off balconies and porches.

Our tips for cleaning outdoor furniture and grills cover what to do before you put everything away.

Get guest-ready for the holidays

• Clean the guest room and wash guest linens.
• Deep clean the bathrooms guests will use.
• Declutter living areas and shared spaces.

Let Sweep Home Chicago handle your fall cleaning

Short on time? Our teams can take care of the indoor items on this list, from a deep cleaning to add-ons like inside the oven, inside the fridge, and windows. We’re a family-owned company based in West Town, serving neighborhoods across Chicago.

Fall Cleaning Special: New customers get 10% off their first cleaning with code SAVE10. Book your fall cleaning or call (312) 492-9337.