Carolin Chytrek

October 25, 2026, 12:01 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

There’s hardly anything better than snuggling up in your own home while the leaves on the trees turn yellow and the first snow falls from the sky. To ensure your home is perfectly prepared for the cold seasons, it’s advisable to conduct a thorough fall cleaning. Similar to spring cleaning, there are several important tasks on the list: swapping out light summer textiles for thicker winter ones, winterizing outdoor areas, and clearing all areas of pollen and dust deposits. While the focus at the beginning of the year is more on opening up the home for the warm season and storing away heavy, warm decorative elements, the focus now is more on energy efficiency, mold prevention, and coziness.

Balcony or Terrace

The days of long barbecue evenings and extended sunbathing are slowly coming to an end. Therefore, in the early days of fall, everything in the outdoor areas should be winterized and cleaned. Whether it’s a terrace or balcony, furniture should now be cleared of deposits, folded up, and either covered with a protective cover or stored in the basement to avoid frost or weather damage. Then it’s time for the greenery. Non-winter-hardy potted plants should be brought indoors. Other shrubs or potted flowers are protected from the cold with a jute wrap, which is wrapped around the pot from the outside to keep the root ball warm.

Swept-up autumn leaves are perfect as an additional protective layer on plant soil.

It’s also important to turn off and, if necessary, drain outdoor water lines to prevent freezing. If needed, gutters should be cleared of leaves and dirt to allow moisture to drain more effectively. Once everything is done outside, it’s time to move indoors.

Living and Sleeping Areas

Before rags, vacuum cleaners, and mops come into play for the big fall cleaning, it helps to thoroughly declutter and tidy up. Summer decorations can be stored compactly, and thin blankets and light pillow covers can be swapped for warm and cozy textiles. Especially in the bedroom, the summer duvet can be replaced with a thicker, warmer version. Additional pillows give the bed or sofa a touch of coziness. Popular fabrics include velvet, fleece, or faux fur. The thin summer items should be thoroughly washed and then neatly stored in the closet. At the same time, summer clothing can be packed away, while thick winter sweaters, scarves, and hats are placed within easy reach.

Also interesting: Why the 90/90 rule helps with decluttering, especially in the fall

Before rearranging or decorating pillows and blankets on the bed and sofa, dust lampshades, shelves, and the tops of cabinets. It’s also advisable to move the bed and sofa aside to vacuum thoroughly behind them. Once everything is done, vacuuming and damp mopping can be completed.

Kitchen

Hearty roasts, healthy oven vegetables, or delicious casseroles: In the cold seasons, the oven is used much more often than in summer. Therefore, the baking sheet and the inside of the oven should be thoroughly cleaned before continuous use to prevent old baked-on residues from becoming more ingrained. The filter of the range hood should also be freed from its grease film before the cooking-intensive months. If you have a bit more time, you can also thoroughly declutter the pantry, switch the assortment to winter dishes, and dispose of expired products.

More on the topic

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Hallway

Wet down jackets and muddy shoes also require an adjustment in the entryway during the cold seasons. An additional doormat inside the door catches moisture and dirt brought in by winter shoes in bad weather. This is especially important on wooden floors to prevent moisture from seeping into the fibers. Additionally, space should be made in the coat rack for thick winter coats.

Windows and Heaters

Since it’s well known that people ventilate much less in the cold months than in spring and summer, the risk of mold increases. Therefore, it’s advisable to thoroughly clean window sills and seals before the cold months. You can check for any leaky or porous spots to repair them before winter. According to the Federal Environment Agency, a lot of energy is lost through drafts at windows and doors. At low outside temperatures, condensation can collect on the window, so unnecessary decorative items should be removed to allow moisture to be quickly and seamlessly wiped away if necessary. Mild autumn days are also excellent for thoroughly cleaning windows and removing pollen and summer dirt.

Then it’s time for the heaters. Dust should be completely removed from the slats, as it acts like insulation material and, according to various energy providers, can significantly increase heating costs. Special attention should be paid to the interior. To do this, the grille above the heater is removed, and dust is carefully removed from the inner slats with a duster or vacuum cleaner. If reachable, you can wipe with a damp cloth and some detergent to catch all deposits.