After a summer of relaxed days, spontaneous activities and fewer routines, your home may feel as though it has been on holiday too. Laundry baskets might be fuller than usual, belongings may have ended up in the wrong places, and the fridge could probably do with a clear-out.
Preparing a few areas of your home can make the return to everyday routines much smoother. Here are five simple things you can do to get your home ready for autumn.
1. Catch up on the laundry
Start by taking care of any laundry that has built up over the summer. Try to empty the laundry baskets and put clean clothes back in the wardrobes, making it easier to find what you need when everyday routines begin again.
This is also a good opportunity to go through your children’s clothes. Put away the most summery items and remove anything that has become too small or worn out. Children grow quickly, and clothes that fitted in spring may already be too small. Organising the wardrobes will also help you see whether anything needs to be replaced before autumn.
Don’t forget shoes and other textiles that may have picked up stains during the summer. SINI Stain Remover Gel is suitable for clothing and home textiles, including fabric trainers, carpets and upholstery. Apply the gel directly to fresh or dried stains and work it in using the sponge included in the pack. It can also be used on delicate materials such as linen, wool and microfibre.
2. Organise the hallway
During summer, it is often enough to quickly grab a pair of shoes and a cap before heading outside. As the weather gets cooler, more outdoor clothing and accessories are needed, making clear hallway storage even more important.
Go through jackets, shoes and other outdoor clothing. Remove anything that is no longer used and give each item a designated place. When everyone can easily find what they need, mornings become calmer and there is less chance of something being left behind.
Take the opportunity to wipe down shelves and other storage surfaces too. Keeping a SINI Broom and Dustpan Set close at hand makes it easy to sweep up sand and grit without having to take out the vacuum cleaner.
3. Empty the recycling and clean the waste cupboard
Recycling bins can quickly fill up during the holidays. Empty the bins and sort everything at your local recycling point before everyday life gets fully under way again.
Once the bins are empty, it is easy to clean them and wipe down the cupboard where waste and recycling are stored. A clean and organized recycling area makes both cooking and cleaning the kitchen easier.
SINI recycling and storage solutions are available in different sizes to help you sort materials such as glass, metal, cardboard and plastic. The bins are also easy to carry when it is time to visit the recycling point.
4. Clear out and clean the fridge
As summer barbecues make way for simple everyday meals, it is a good time to go through the fridge.
Take everything out, check the dates and dispose of anything that can no longer be used. Then wipe down the shelves, drawers and inside surfaces with a SINI Household Towel Roll 3 m. The absorbent cloth can easily be cut to the size you need.
Organising the food afterwards will make it easier to see what you have. You could also create a dedicated space for simple snacks that children can easily reach after school.
Tip: Check the fridge’s drainage hole as well. If it becomes blocked, water may collect inside the fridge. Follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning it.
5. Unpack after your summer trips
Returning to everyday routines does not mean that summer is completely over, so there is no need to put every summer item into storage just yet. However, it is worth going through bags left over from holidays, cottage visits and day trips.
Empty the bags and return everything to its proper place. That way, you will be able to find the sun cream, swimwear, goggles and spare clothes the next time you need them instead of searching through the car boot or the bottom of a forgotten bag.
Make the return to routine easier
You do not need to carry out a complete deep clean to prepare your home for autumn. A few small tasks can make a big difference during the first weeks back in your usual routine.
We cannot promise that all the morning rush will disappear, but with clean clothes, an organised hallway and everything in its place, you will at least avoid searching for the wellies five minutes before it is time to leave.