As the colder nights draw in, so does the appeal of spending more time at home curled up by the fireplace— so what better time to turn your home into a sanctuary? We’ve all heard of ‘spring cleaning’, but autumn can also be a great time to tick off those cleaning chores that got swept to the bottom of the to-do list. Here at Purdy & Figg, we have compiled a list of our top autumn cleaning tasks for you to prep and polish your home before winter.
General Cleaning Tips
Declutter your home
We’re all guilty of hoarding items we longer need or use, and there is no better time to finally get round to decluttering your home. Spend an afternoon going through your wardrobe and cupboards— be ruthless with what you really need, and what you don’t. This is also a great opportunity to sell some old clothes/furniture you no longer need and make some extra pennies. Anything that’s left over can be donated to your local charity shop or can be recycled.
Organise clothing & linen
As the temperature changes, so does our wardrobe. Autumn is the perfect time to organise your wardrobe and make room for seasonally-appropriate clothes. Storing away your summer pieces will not only help declutter your space, but also make getting dressed easier. You’ll have fewer things to sort through and more space for the things you need! If you’re struggling for space, invest in some storage boxes that can slide easily under your bed. Top Tip: to deter moths, pack your garments into a vacuum storage bag and add some some cedar wood rings.
Whilst your in the organisation-mode, it’s also the perfect time to wash and refresh all your bed linen. We recommend including white vinegar in your next washing cycle. Not only does it act as a natural fabric softener, but it is a natural alternative to harsh chemical-induced fabric softeners.
Dust and Polish
Dust away the last of the summer chaos! Since we all spend more time at home in the colder months, Autumn is a great time to undertake a good dust of the home. Tackle all those hard-to-reach places: Tops of door frames, light fittings, slatted blinds, tops of cupboards and skirting boards... We recommend using a damp microfibre cloth to wipe away dusty areas. For slatted blinds, woolly socks work brilliantly too!
You can also make a natural wood polish using coconut oil, white vinegar and a few drops of citrus oil. Coconut oil is great for adding moisture and life back into wooden furniture.
Check out our Natural Dust-Repellent hack on TikTok to keep your home dust free for longer!
@purdyandfigg This hack will repel dust in your home 🤩#dustrepellent #livingroomclean #homehacks #cleaninghacks #learnedontiktok ♬ son original - I'm BardiBarbz
Bedding Refresh
There’s nothing like the feeling of getting into fresh clean sheets on a chilly evening! You probably wash your sheets regularly, but when was the last time you cleaned your mattress and pillows?
To naturally deodorise your mattress, we recommend combining bicarbonate of soda with your favourite essential oil (we recommend citrus or eucalyptus) Simply shake onto your mattress, leave for a few hours and hoover. Your mattress will smell so fresh!
You can check out our Mattress Deodorising Hack on Instagram below:
@purdyandfigg We’re obsessed 🤩 #homehacks #cleantok #tiktokmademebuyit #cleaningtips #cleangirl ♬ Low Down - venbee & Dan Fable
To wash your pillows, first check the label to see if they are machine washable. If so, add two at a time to the drum and wash on a warm cycle with your regular detergent. (Tip: add eucalyptus oil to rid dust mites!) After the cycles complete, place them in the dryer with a knotted shirt to prevent clumping!
@purdyandfigg When was the last time you washed your pillows? ✨🧼 #beddinghacks #freshsheets #pillowwashing #cleaninghacks #learnontiktok ♬ original sound - ojccccc
Finally, to add some extra freshness to your sheets you can make a DIY bed linen spray. Simply use water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil. We recommend eucalyptus, rose or lavender for the bedroom.
Deep Cleaning Tasks
Clear your gutters
Autumn is the perfect time to do your annual gutter cleaning! Gutters can fill up with sticks, leaves and debris and logged gutters can lead to water leaking into the roof, eventually damaging your house’s foundations— just make sure you have a sturdy ladder!
Wash your windows
Washing windows is something that can easily be overlooked, however it can definitely make a difference. Simply take warm water and top it up with white vinegar. Use a microfibre cloth (or newspaper) and wipe. Our new Bathroom Bliss cleaner is great for streak-free windows, too!
Fireplace Spruce
Over the summer months, your fireplace is probably a feature that has been long neglected. Autumn is a great time to deep clean and polish it in preparation for cosy fires winter!
Clean your doorstep
Leaves and dirt can quickly build up on your doorstep over the colder, wet months. Simply make up a solution of hot water and dish soap, and scrub away the dirt— after all, first impressions count! You can even hoover in between the door frame to remove hard-to-reach dirt.
Check out our Doorstep Deep Clean video on Instagram here:
@purdyandfigg When was the last time you cleaned your doorstep? 🤔 #deepclean #satisfyingcleans #doorstepclean #homehacks #learnontiktok ♬ original sound - 🥱
Cosy-up your home & finishing touches
Autumn isn’t just about having a clean house, but also about making it a sanctuary! With the colder months upon us, it’s a great time to prepare our homes and make it a cosy place for you and your family to shelter from the outside elements.
Cosy up with lots of layers!
Whether its your sofa or armchair, investing in some textured blankets and throws will immediately make you feel more cosy in your home.
Fill your home with comforting scents
Whether this in the form of diffusers or scented candles, having a great smelling home will definitely make you feel autumn ready! We suggest scents such as cinnamon, ginger, wood smoke and cedar wood, or opt for our wonderfully warming Juniper & Cardamom Counter Clean.
Check out our Autumn Simmer Pot recipe on TikTok for the perfect natural way to scent your home:
@purdyandfigg Make your home smell like Autumn🍁🍂🎃 #homehacks #homescents #autumnhacks #autumncandle #learnedontiktok #cleaningtips ♬ Beat Goes On (Rhythm to the Brain) - Campbell
Bring the season indoors
Spice up your mantelpiece with your favourite fall finds. We recommend freshly chopped wood, dried oak leaves, wheat, pinecones and decorative pumpkins (it is autumn after all!)
