There’s something about September, isn’t there? Even if you’ve been out of school longer than you care to remember, we all feel a fresh start once the weather starts cooling down and the trees slowly turn orange. You might not be buying a new pencil case and satchel (at least not for yourself!), but you can still use the start of autumn to breathe some fresh air into your home. Let’s have a look at some of our favourite ways to deep clean your space and welcome new energy this season.

Switch up your home furnishings

We all love summer, but all good things come to an end, and it’s time to embrace the arrival of the cooler months. Go through your home and switch out any home furnishings and items that are more suited to the heat, like thin duvets, fans, and barbeque equipment. If you’ve got storage space under the beds or in the attic, for example, consider packing away your summer shorts and dresses, and bring your cosy jumpers to the front of your wardrobe. This will psychologically help you welcome in the autumn, knowing your summer clothes will be stored away and ready for you next year.

Declutter your surfaces

Granted, this is something you should be doing on a regular basis, but we always find that the arrival of autumn gives us that extra push to make our spaces cosy and welcoming. In summer, it’s lovely spending so much time outside, but once we start cocooning come September, it’s important that our homes are warm, clean and inviting. Set aside a few hours to go through the clutter in your hall, by your desk, or in the kitchen, and actually deal with it—don’t just put it in a cupboard! You’ll find it’s much more relaxing sitting reading a book when you’re not distracted by all the spare wires / used notebooks / loose change on your shelf.

Don't forget the exterior!

If you’ve got a home with a garden or terrace, September is the perfect moment to prepare for the colder months. If you’ve got furniture or a barbecue outside, for example, consider moving them somewhere where they won’t be damaged by rain and frost. If your gutters need some TLC, consider hiring a professional to help you make sure everything’s in tip-top shape.

Deep-clean your kitchen

A clean kitchen

The rush of back-to-school and back-to-work leaves us little time for deep-cleaning, but once the dust has settled (literally or not!), consider a deep-clean of your kitchen. We’re talking the fridge, the cupboard, and yes, the oven. While you’re at it, don’t forget about cleaning the sponges themselves. Luckily, we put together this handy article with some tips and tricks (and if it’s really that gross, why not replace it with a new and sustainable option?).

For your fridge and cupboards, the task is as simple as removing all food and putting it somewhere safe while you clean. Next, grab an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner, and get to work with a sponge. If there are any gnarly stains to get rid of, give our Eco Friendly Grapefruit Wonder Scrub a go—formulated with bicarb and free from nasty phosphates, parabens and SLS. And if you’re ready to roll your sleeves up and tackle the oven, this article tells you everything you need to know.

Give the forgotten areas some TLC

We know how hard it is to keep up a cleaning schedule when you’re busy. If you find yourself with some extra time on your hands now the little ones are back at school and you’ve caught up with post-holiday work, it’s time to pay some attention to those areas of our homes we tend to forget. When’s the last time you deep-cleaned your duvets and pillows? What about your cushion cases? If you’ve got guests passing through your home on a regular basis, it’s important to remove your cushions from their covers, and give them a good wash. Some are washing machine friendly (always double check!), while others can be rinsed by hand with some diluted natural washing-up liquid. Similarly, dust your lamps and radiators, and call in a handyman if needed to sort out those odd jobs that have featured on your to-do list for longer than you’d like to remember.

While it’s never easy saying goodbye to warm and sunny weather, there’s lots to look forward to during September and beyond. A tidy home will provide you with a cosy haven when it’s raining outside, and you’ll be more motivated than ever to keep your space spick and span.

To help you on your way, why not indulge in some new natural cleaning products? Take a look at what Colt & Willow has to offer: our products are all UK-made, beautifully scented, and most importantly, they actually work. Discover our range here.

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