Whether you're excited that it's finally Pumpkin Spice Latte season, or sad that summer's over, you can't avoid the fact that fall is on the way. That means it's time to prepare your home for the cooler months. Here's a checklist of the most important home maintenance tasks to keep your home clean and comfortable all fall and winter long. 

Clean Your Rain Gutters

In the fall, leaves and twigs are falling off the trees and gather in the rain gutters. Cleaning them prevents blockages. If you skip cleaning the gutters, water can freeze, or the snow can cause water damage to your roof. 

Replace Your HVAC Filters

Have you beenavoiding routine maintenance of your HVAC system? Summer's focus is usually on the air conditioning, but now you need to make sure the heating system is ready for the cooler months. Change your air filter every three months, and check it monthly. 

Dust Everything

Now that you’ll be spending more time indoors, you might realize that you’ve neglected certain areas of the house. Dusting is one of those things that falls to the wayside in the summer. Dusting the whole house–even the moldings on the ceiling–makes a huge difference. Plus, it makes the air feel fresh and clean.  

Deep Clean Closets

Now that you might be swapping out seasonal clothes, take advantage of these changes. Empty out your closet and dust and wipe down the surfaces. While you’re add it, throw in some cedar chips where you have wool or other natural fibers–this will deter moths. Lavender sachets can also help repel moths, too. 

Window Cleaning

Summer rain, dust, and pollen have likely left a film on your windows. Cleaner windows will let in more sunlight during the shorter winter days, which can also help with the heating bill.

Deep Clean the Carpets

Get your vacuum ready because summer activities have likely created lots of dirt and wear on your rugs. If necessary you might also rent a commercial carpet cleaner.

Seal the Deck

The deck gets a lot of wear and tear during the summer, so now’s the time to reapply your decking oil to protect it from rain and moisture damage. We like Osmo Decking Oil because you don’t need to sand your deck in order to reapply. This makes it much easier and faster to maintain your wood deck.

Replace Weather Stripping

You might have noticed some wear and tear on the weather stripping around doors and windows. Replacing it now will help keep the cold out and the heat in during winter. You can find replacement weather stripping at any hardware or home improvement store

Refinish Outdoor Furniture

The summer can bring debris, stains, and mildew to wood patio furniture. Clean it off, touch up the protective finish if needed, and store your furniture away from the elements.