(Source: Ron Bird)

Summer has come to an end and that means it’s time to get ready for fall! We’ve got a few tips to help you get prepared for the cooler weather and the upcoming holidays:

Clear Out Your Closet
To avoid clutter in your drawers and closets, designate a spare dresser or closet for seasonal clothes because chances are, you won’t need your shorts during the winter! Before putting clothes into storage, make sure they’re clean in order to avoid any unwanted smells or permanent stains. This is a great opportunity to clean out old, out-grown clothes. Donate anything that’s in good shape to a local charity. Also, by clearing out things you don’t wear, you’re making room for new clothes! Make it a rule of thumb to get rid of one article of clothing for each new one you purchase.

Clean Up Outside
Before the weather gets too cold, it’s a good idea to wash and store any patio furniture you still have sitting outside. If your windows are in need of a good cleaning, now’s the time to do it! Once you’re finished cleaning outside, it’s recommended that garden hoses and sprinklers be drained of water – remaining water is likely to freeze and may cause damage.

To-Do List of Chores
Make cleaning easy with an organized checklist of chores – and get your kids involved too! Create a board or calendar of chores to do each day and make it fun with a special surprise at the end of the week. If your kids are helping, try not to use products that contain harmful chemicals in order to avoid any risk of dry or irritated skin or inhaling harsh fumes. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, getting all your chores done early on will help you prepare your home for holiday celebrations!

Keeping the Dirt Out
We all love to watch the leaves turn beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow, but once they fall off the trees, they can be quite messy. To keep your little ones from tracking dried leaves and mud into your home, place a doormat outside. That way, they can wipe off their shoes before going inside. We also want to mention that it’s a good idea to replace all summer or light-coloured doormats and carpets with darker ones to avoid getting damaged by mud and dirt. Install hooks in your closet for your kids to hang their coats and a shoe rack will help keep your shoes organized and out of sight.

Be Prepared for the Leaves!
Raking leaves can be a chore, so why not make it fun? Play games with your kids or sing songs while raking – see who can make the biggest pile! Make sure to use biodegradable bags when disposing of your leaves – the big brown paper bags you can find at most superstores and home improvement stores.

If you have any tips or stories to share with us, leave us a comment below or on our Facebook page – we’d love to hear them. Happy cleaning!