Fall Cleaning Checklist: 7 Tasks for a More Organized Home

Use this checklist to work through your fall cleaning one task at a time:

•  Put away summer clothing.

•  Sort fall coats, shoes and accessories.

•  Rotate seasonal bedding and linens.

•  Prepare the entryway for cooler weather.

•  Clean and reorganize the pantry.

•  Declutter the refrigerator and freezer.

•  Refresh high-traffic living spaces.

•  Clean under and behind furniture.

•  Sort children’s clothing and toys.

•  Organize school and activity supplies.

•  Declutter the garage or shed.

•  Clean and store summer outdoor items.

•  Decide what can move into storage.

•  Reorganize your storage unit.

•  Prepare guest and gathering spaces for the holidays.

Before working through your fall cleaning checklist, set up four categories for the belongings you sort. You can use separate boxes, bags or designated areas of the room to prevent unwanted items from finding their way back into closets and drawers.

If you’re unsure about an item, ask yourself when you last used it, whether you would buy it again today and whether it deserves space in your home. Storage should help you maintain your belongings with a clear future purpose, not push off decisions about unwanted clutter.

Start by taking summer clothing, sandals and lightweight linens out of your everyday rotation. Wash and completely dry everything you plan to keep, since stains, body oils and moisture can attract pests or cause odors during storage.

Before returning cold-weather clothing to your closet, try on coats, sweaters and boots to make sure they still fit. As a general rule, donate clothing that no longer fits, hasn’t been worn in the past year or can’t be paired with at least three other pieces you already own. If you wouldn’t buy it again today, it probably doesn’t need to take up space in your closet.

Match up gloves and other pairs, and set aside anything that needs cleaning or repair. Pack off-season items in labeled, lidded containers, then place them on a high closet shelf, under a bed or in your storage unit.

Fall tends to bring more shoes, coats, bags and outdoor debris into the house. Start at the entryway of your home. Put away sandals, beach bags and other summer gear. Then make room for the items your household will reach for regularly in the coming months, including jackets, boots, umbrellas and backpacks. A boot tray, wall hooks or a few labeled baskets can help contain everything without taking up much space.

Tip: Shoes, bags and other items can quickly become cluttered. You can use a self-storage unit to safely keep your seasonal shoes and bags when you’re not using them.

Next, turn your attention to the living room and other high-traffic areas. Clear off coffee tables and other surfaces, vacuum upholstered furniture and remove the cushions to pick up crumbs and misplaced items. If possible, move lightweight furniture so you can clean underneath and behind it, paying attention to accumulated dust, moisture or signs of pests.

Finish by putting away summer decor and washing any throws or pillow covers you plan to use during fall. Remember, you don’t need to completely redecorate. A cleaner layout with fewer unnecessary items can make the space feel refreshed and easier to maintain.

Fall is a good time to clear out expired or forgotten food in your kitchen before stocking up for seasonal meals and holiday gatherings. (Raise a hand if there’s never enough fridge space when you’re prepping Thanksgiving dinner!) Work through the pantry, refrigerator and freezer one area at a time:

• Check expiration dates: Discard expired food, spoiled produce and frozen items you can no longer identify. Donate unopened, unexpired pantry items you know your household won’t use.

• Clean shelves and drawers: Remove food before wiping down pantry shelves, refrigerator drawers, door seals and other surfaces. Clean spills promptly to help prevent stains and smells.

• Group similar items: Organize canned goods, snacks, baking supplies and other staples by category. Move frequently used fall ingredients to an easy-to-reach location, and use organizers like lazy Susans and cubbies to keep everything clearly categorized.

• Take inventory: Note what you already have before buying ingredients for fall recipes or holiday meals — you don’t want to double up on items or waste food. 

• Make room in the freezer: Group similar foods together and label homemade meals with the contents and date. Leave some open space for make-ahead dishes and holiday leftovers.

Whether you have young children, teens or a college student returning home for the holidays, fall is a good time to sort through the clothing, school supplies and personal belongings that tend to accumulate throughout the year. Before everything gets out of control, take some time to remove outgrown or unused summer clothing, set aside anything that needs cleaning or repair and donate items that are still in good condition.

For younger children, sort through toys, craft materials and school papers, making use of the same keep, donate, toss or store framework from earlier. You can wait until your teen is home to help review clothing, sports equipment, electronics and old school materials to decide what they still need. Give frequently used items a designated place so backpacks, activity gear and homework supplies don’t take over shared spaces.

If a college student will be visiting during Thanksgiving or winter break, make sure their room or sleeping area is set up before they arrive. You don’t need to preserve the space exactly as they left it, of course, but avoid donating or discarding their belongings without asking. Instead, group items into labeled containers, clear usable closet and drawer space and set aside anything they can review while they’re home.

Before the temperatures plummet, remember to set aside a few hours to clean up the garage, shed and any outdoor storage areas. Focus on clearing floor space and protecting seasonal belongings that might be sensitive to the weather:

• Remove unnecessary items: Donate usable equipment you no longer need, and discard broken tools or empty containers. Follow local guidelines when disposing of paint, chemicals, batteries and other hazardous materials.

• Group belongings by purpose: Keep gardening supplies, sports equipment, outdoor toys and home-maintenance tools together so they’re easier to locate.

• Use vertical space: Add sturdy shelving, wall hooks or a pegboard to keep tools and equipment off the floor. Store heavier items on lower shelves.

• Clean summer gear: Remove dirt and debris from patio furniture, outdoor cushions, umbrellas, gardening tools, camping gear and recreational equipment. Let everything dry completely before covering or storing it.

• Prepare for freezing temperatures: Drain garden hoses and empty planters or containers that could crack when water freezes.

• Bring fall and winter supplies forward: Place leaf bags, rakes, snow shovels and ice melt where you can reach them without moving stored summer equipment.

Once you’ve cleared out your closets, garage and outdoor areas, you may find belongings that you want to keep but won’t need again until spring. Moving them into self storage can free up space at home while keeping seasonal items organized and accessible.

Good candidates for fall storage include:

• Summer clothing, shoes and bedding

• Beach supplies, coolers and pool accessories

• Camping and warm-weather sports equipment

• Patio furniture, cushions and outdoor decor

• Gardening tools and supplies

• Window fans and portable air conditioners

Clean and completely dry everything before packing it in labeled, stackable containers. Keep a written or digital inventory so you know what you’ve stored and where it is.

If you already have a storage unit, use the seasonal transition as an opportunity to reorganize it. Move summer belongings toward the back and bring holiday decorations, winter gear and other soon-to-be-needed items toward the front. Leave a clear walkway, place heavier containers beneath lighter ones and avoid storing food, wet belongings, hazardous materials or anything prohibited by the facility. If you live in a particularly volatile climate, or simply want to protect items that may be vulnerable to cold temperatures and humidity fluctuations, consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit.

A little advance preparation can make hosting feel much more manageable later in the season. Clear unrelated belongings out of guest rooms, dining areas and other gathering spaces, then wash guest bedding and towels so they’re ready when needed. Check your serving dishes, seasonal decor and folding furniture now rather than discovering something is missing or damaged just before guests arrive.

As you work, avoid simply moving clutter from one room to another. Donate or discard items you no longer need, and move useful but infrequently used belongings into storage. Even if you aren’t hosting overnight guests, clearing these spaces can give you more room for meals, decorating and everyday fall routines.

If your closets, garage or spare room are already packed, self storage can give seasonal items a temporary home without forcing you to get rid of things you’ll use again. Summer clothing, patio furniture, camping equipment, gardening supplies and warm-weather sports gear can all move out of the way until spring.

Before storing anything, make sure it’s clean and completely dry, then pack and label it so it’s easy to find later. Since you may visit your unit several times throughout the cooler months, keep seasonal decor organized and accessible. For example, you might swap Halloween decorations for Thanksgiving table settings, then put away fall decor as you transition into the winter holidays. Place summer belongings toward the back and keep upcoming seasonal items closer to the entrance.

If you’re storing wooden furniture, electronics, important papers or other items that don’t respond well to major swings in temperature or humidity, a climate-controlled unit may be worth considering.

With a little planning, you can clear out summer clutter, make room for fall routines and create a more organized home before the holidays arrive. Use our Storage Locator to find a SmartStop facility near you, and explore the SmartStop blog for more expert tips on seasonal storage, decluttering and making the most of your space year-round.

What should be included on a fall cleaning checklist?

A fall cleaning checklist should cover rotating seasonal clothing and linens, cleaning high-traffic spaces, organizing the kitchen, sorting children’s or students’ belongings, tidying the garage and storing summer gear. It can also include preparing guest rooms and gathering spaces before the holidays.

When should you start fall cleaning?

Early fall is usually a good time to start, especially once you no longer need most summer clothing and outdoor equipment. Starting before the holiday season gives you time to work through tasks gradually instead of trying to complete everything at once.

How is fall cleaning different from spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning often focuses on refreshing the home after winter, while fall cleaning prepares it for cooler weather and more time spent indoors. It typically involves putting away summer belongings, bringing out cold-weather essentials and getting living and gathering spaces ready for the holidays.

What summer items should you put into storage for fall?

Common items include summer clothing, beach supplies, patio furniture, outdoor cushions, gardening tools, camping equipment and warm-weather sports gear. Clean and completely dry everything before packing it for storage.

How can you make fall cleaning more manageable?

Break the process into smaller tasks and focus on one room or category at a time. Start with a quick, visible project, such as clearing the entryway or rotating seasonal clothing, before moving on to larger areas like the garage or storage unit.

How should you organize a storage unit for fall?

Move summer belongings toward the back and keep items you’ll need soon, such as Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving table settings and winter holiday decor, closer to the entrance. Label containers clearly, leave a walkway and update your inventory whenever you add or remove items.