Ensure your home is ready for the months ahead by starting your pre-winter to-do list. There's plenty that can be done inside and out, from tidying away garden furniture, deep-cleaning your carpets and washing bedding to checking home security and fixing draughty windows. Kickstart your autumn deep clean today with these essential household jobs to do before winter sets in. Click or scroll for more...

As the nights draw in, we often see an increase in burglaries and property damage. According to Aviva Insurance analysis, malicious damage claims increased by 21% and home theft claims rose by 23% during the months of October and November between 2016 and 2021. Waseem Malik from Aviva, says: "As well as the trick-or-treat antics of Oct 31st, the clocks go back on the last Saturday of the month. This creates an opportunity for people to go about their business under the cover of darkness.” With this in mind, get your burglar alarm serviced if you have one. Outdoor security lights, should be checked and bulbs replaced. If you don’t have security lights, you might consider installing some before the clocks change.

High on your to-do list of household winter tasks, should be to check all the batteries in your smoke and emergency alarms, ensuring every safety feature is working properly in your home. If you have a security alarm, give that a test, too, as burglaries can increase leading up to holidays.

Autumn is the best time to have your chimney swept before the heating season begins. The National Association of Chimney Sweeps states that chimneys need to allow free passage of dangerous combustion gasses, so regular sweeping to remove soot, creosote, cobwebs and even bird nests is a must. Visit NACS.org.uk to find your local qualified sweep. 

 Autumn and winter is the season for spotting more spiders in the house as they search for warm and dry corners to set up home and a new mate. As well as cleaning regularly to disturb and remove webs and nests, look for tiny holes and or gaps and fill them in. This will not only keep out spiders, insects and common household pests but draught-proof the house too. Win-win!

Get outside to organise your garage while it's still warm, the big job will feel all the more overwhelming once the cold and ice sets in. Plus, an orderly and spacious garage will make the countdown to Christmas easier. Knowing the best garage hacks will mean there'll be plenty of new room for storing extra items while the decorations are up or guests are using the spare bedroom. 

If you're going to be cleaning around your home, you'll want to ensure your laundry space is ready for action. Give cupboards and surfaces a scrub down and be sure you're stocked up with cleaning essentials. You could also have a go at making your own. Diluted vinegar is fabulous for tackling tricky cleaning jobs, while bicarbonate of soda works wonders for getting rid of smells. ​

Once the clocks change, shutters and Venetian blinds will probably be closed sooner in the day. Prepare slatted window treatments for more use by cleaning summer dust build-up ready to hunker down. As well as dusting louvres regularly with a duster, now's the time for a deeper clean using a few extra tools. Vacuum shutters using a soft-bristled attachment, then wipe down with a damp cloth. A soft-bristled toothbrush is ideal for cleaning hinges or hard-to-reach crevices. 

Items that are handled regularly, such as door handles, light switches, TV remotes and games console controllers can make perfect environments for bacteria to spread. In the fight against germs, it's important to clean as well as disinfect. Disinfectant specialists Zoflora advise: "To best clean your remotes, add two capfuls of Zoflora into an 800ml trigger spray bottle containing water. Spray the solution onto a dry cloth and wipe over your devices to disinfect. Do not spray directly onto electrical items."

Remove ground-in dirt and grime from carpets and rugs in no time at all when you use a professional-quality carpet cleaner at home. Go for a model that will wash the carpet, neutralise odours and leave a fresh fragrance. It's best to do this job in the morning as you'll need to leave the carpet for several hours to allow it to properly dry. 

Busy homes naturally bring spills, stains and wear and tear to a family sofa, but with the right care a settee can stand the test of time. If you can remove the covers, give them a proper wash – ensuring you follow the manufacturer's instructions – to get them looking good as new. If you can't remove them, give the sofa a spot clean and a thorough vacuum. Not forgetting to check under the cushions first; you might find a pound or two!​

While you’re re-acquainting yourself with your winter woollies that have been gathering dust at the back of the wardrobe, remember to add some layers to your home. Just as you’ll appreciate the extra layers, you can help bring your heating bill down by adding extra thick furnishings to your home. From added bedspreads to sofa throws to weighted blankets, you’ll be toasty and organised this winter.

As the evenings draw in it's time to turn on lights more often. Make sure you won't get caught in the dark by giving each light, lamp and socket a quick 'MOT' with good clean, dust. Then inspect and test each bulb to replace if necessary. Why not go for a new look altogether with a lampshade or desk lamp update to make your decorating scheme cosy for autumn and winter?

With the winter season comes more time indoors with friends and family. Ensure your bathrooms are presentable for your guests by giving everything a thorough clean. It's always good to have a deep clean with each season. Refresh grout, tackle limescale and rid glass of water stains. If you have the time, touch up any paintwork and repair chipped and damaged tiles.

During the summer, when doors have been left open and we've been in the garden more, extra dirt will most likely have been brought inside. A lightweight steam cleaning mop will not only clean and shine but sanitise every type of floor – from carpets, tiles and vinyl to wooden and sealed laminate – helping to keep germs and bacteria at bay. This handy gadget uses no chemicals or detergents, just tap water, and removes ground in dirt in a flash. 

With the cold and wet comes extra layers, umbrellas and muddy boots, so get ahead by making space for them in your entryway. Start by taking out all the clothes, shoes and any other clutter that's accumulated over the summer. Pull out furniture to wash down walls and woodwork, then vacuum floors and corners before mopping or steam cleaning. Sort and pack away summer hats, light jackets and sandals then add baskets and boot racks, plus something to hold wet umbrellas. Finally, add some finishing touches; a plant and a diffuser or scented candle will create a welcoming first impression. 

Lay down a coir mat at each doorway to ensure that muddy shoes and paws don't trample into the house during the winter season. And leave shoes at the door, to keep potentially harmful microbes away from your main living space.

A job that most people try to avoid, but is nonetheless important. Spend an afternoon clearing out old paperwork and sorting household files. If you have a home office then make space for folders that you can dedicate to certain utilities. Shred or burn anything you throw away so to limit any security risks, and seriously think about going paperless. Lots of providers offer discount or savings if you choose not to receive a traditional paper bill.

As the weather is changing, there is no need for those shorts, sandals and T-shirts so box up and declutter your home and summer wardrobe in readiness for next year. Reshuffle the walk-in wardrobe or in smaller spaces, invest in vacuum-pack bags that you can cram full and store underneath your bed or pop in the loft.

It's a great time of year to get organised, have a sort out and throw away things you don't need. Get three boxes – one for selling, one for charity and one for the rubbish – and place items you no longer want in one of the three. You may wish to sell some items on eBay or save them for a spring boot sale, while you can donate the rest to charity. If anything is broken or very old and tired, then just throw it away. And be sure to recycle; don't just send it to landfill!

Whilst you're waiting for the duvet and pillows to dry, give the bare mattresses a clean down, too. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the surface and leave for a couple of hours, then vacuum off. This will remove any smells, draw out sweat and clear away mites and dust. If you can turn over the mattress then do so. And now's also a good time to clean and vacuum underneath the bed. 

While the warm weather is still with us, make use of the sunshine, just like grandma used to do, and wash the linens around your home. Make a day of it and get your curtains, nettings and tablecloths all washed and hung out to dry. A sunny afternoon will have everything aired in no time, allowing you to iron, fold and get everything stored away by the evening.

Prepare your large home appliances for extra winter use by giving each machine an MOT. Deep clean washing machines to prepare for more bulky items. Empty, defrost and clean fridges and freezers, ready for the festive season. And, ensure your dishwasher is running to its optimised performance before the festive period by running dishwasher cleaner through it or try a natural homemaking hack as an alternative. 

As the seasons change there's no doubt the oven will get used more often to cook up some heart-warming winter dishes. Make sure it's ready for use with a good scrub to make it sparkle again. Not only will this improve its appearance, but it will also rid any whiffs while cooking from baked-in grease and grime.

As opportunities for outdoor laundry drying reduce, make sure the tumble dryer is ready for use. Wipe down the exterior and stock up on dryer sheets. Lint build-up can become a hazard so renew or clean any filters, then disconnect the vent pipe, clean and replace. Run the dryer empty for a few minutes to loosen embedded lint then vacuum inside the drum to remove any last remaining fibres. 

Avoid a home appliance fail and get your kettle and coffee machines working properly by giving them a deep clean and descaling. If you live in a hard water area, you'll find you need to do this more regularly compared to those in a soft water area, but it's advisable to do it often anyway. It'll prolong the life of your appliances and produce better tasting drinks too.

If you have the space inside your house, set up an area for recycling, as now that the winter weather is coming, you won't want to go outside so much. IKEA stocks a range of inexpensive stackable bins that you could store in an adjoining garage or the laundry.

If you find your curtains lacking a little in keeping the light out of a sunny morning, they won’t be helping the cold chill out either. Short of purchasing a new pair, adding a layer of lining to the curtains you already own will go a long way in keeping the heat in and the elements outside where they belong.

Once you've cleaned, packed and stored away summer linens, it's time to bring down the warmer blankets and throws from the attic. Give them a good airing or refresh with a dry-clean and then layer-up beds, sofas and armchairs ready for cosy nights to come. 

For a free and speedy job to get your home ready for the chilly months, it’s time to get bleeding those radiators. Use WikiHow or follow a YouTube video if you haven’t done this before and your radiators will be working at their full potential in no time, ready for the frosty months.

Give windows a thorough wash inside and out, taking care to clean out the seals and locking functions, too. You'll be surprised how much dirt and grime can find its way into the nooks and crannies. Be sure to fill any gaps or holes, so that draughts are eliminated – nobody wants chilly windows during the cold season. Also, give wooden frames a touch up of paint, to ensure they're protected from the elements and looking fresh and clean.

As autumn sets in, you'll find that your front and back garden starts to fill up with fallen leaves and debris. Cover or move delicate plants that don't do well with frost and give any hedges or shrubs a final trim. Gather up the cuttings before they turn to mulch – a leaf blower that will speed up the job, making it a lot less time-consuming and easier to keep on top of. 

As summer turns to autumn, you'll find you won't use your outdoor items as much. So give bicycles, barbeque equipment, garden tables and chairs a wash down and store them away for the winter months.

Blocked guttering can cause all sorts of problems if it's not cleared out and properly maintained, including damp and structural issues. This is a classic case of prevention being better than cure, so ensure to remove dead leaves and blockages so that any water is quickly channelled away. Definitely a job to do before the rain sets in!

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