September Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist

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As summer comes to a close, your home deserves some special attention to prepare for colder temperatures to come. September home maintenance is all about wrapping up the warm and welcoming fall.

In many areas of the country, September brings rain and severe storms with it. So your home maintenance for the month may include cleaning out the gutters, restocking your emergency supplies, and installing storm windows.

Follow through on this list to ensure the most important safety and maintenance tasks don’t fall through the cracks in September.

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1. Tidy the kitchen

Clean and check range hood fan

Greasy doesn’t even begin to cover it when it comes to this major appliance. Your range hood funnels odors and smoke out of your home, and a dirty fan isn’t just unsightly—it’s dangerous. Wipe it down and ensure it’s functional to avoid fire hazards in the kitchen. Plus, a clean kitchen can help improve your home's air quality.1

Scrub out microwave

Pro tip: go easy on yourself by putting a bowl of water in the microwave and warming it for about a minute. The steam will make it easier to scrub off all those caked-on leftovers. Make things really sparkle by adding a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice to the bowl of water.

Get a tastier cup of joe

Cooler mornings mean even more reliance on a steaming cup of joe, but whether you use pods or filters to brew your coffee, now is a good time to make sure you're getting the cleanest—and tastiest—cup. 

For drip coffee makers

  1. Fill the reservoir with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water.
  2. Start a brewing cycle.
  3. Stop it about half way through the cycle and let the solution soak in the reservoir and carafe for about an hour.
  4. Finish the brewing cycle and then flush the coffee pot with water to rinse away the vinegar residue.

For Keurig or pod coffee makers

  1. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning before you start.
  2. Wipe down all outside surfaces, scrub limescale with a toothbrush and a solution of vinegar and water, if needed.
  3. Scrub all removable parts.
  4. Flush the machine with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water.
  5. Use a large mug to capture the solution.
  6. Repeat until the machine asks you to add more water.
  7. Let the coffee maker sit for at least 30 minutes.
  8. Rinse the reservoir to get rid of all vinegar residue. 
  9. Flush the machine one more time with plain water. 

Clean under the sink

You may store cleaning products in here, but the cabinet under your sink may be anything but squeaky clean. Toss any expired products, old sponges or rags, and wipe down the area to prevent mold. We also recommend checking the pipes for any leaks or clogs while you're there.

Tighten and lubricate hinges on the fridge

If your fridge has been sounding the alarm every time you open it, it’s probably time to give those hinges a little lubrication.

2. Create a safety plan for natural disasters

For many across the country, September is the beginning of hurricane season. For others, wildfires may still be a threat left over from summer. Whatever natural disasters your home is prone to, it's smart to be prepared for anything. Sit down with your family and create an evacuation plan and gather supplies into an emergency kit for your home.

Check out our emergency kit guide to learn how to assemble one in your home.

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3. Fix up bedrooms and living areas

Install or replace outlet covers

Got kids? Then you know the drill. It’s essential to keep outlets covered and safe from little fingers.

Get fireplaces professionally checked and cleaned

Chestnut roasting season may be a couple of months away, but it's never too early to clean out the fireplace. If you have a fireplace in your home, find a professional chimney sweep service for cleaning and inspection. A clean hearth and fireplace can reduce fire hazards in your home and keep the air clean inside.

Here are some more fireplace safety tips.

Clean blinds

One look and you’ll understand that you should have done this months ago. Yuck. Give your blinds a good swipe, and you’ll be able to see clearly. At least for now.

Check and replace weather stripping around doors and windows

Keep the cold out (and the heat in) by making sure your weather stripping hasn’t slipped out of place around windows and doors. Replace any worn caulking that leaves gaps, or you’ll find the wind whistling through more than you might like this season.

If you need to replace your doors, we've researched the best doors for better security.

Clean ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents

Look up and you’ll find you’ve neglected to clean much of your living space simply because it was out of sight. Give lights, fans, and vents a good dusting before you start circulating heat and spreading dust mites.

Change direction of ceiling fan for winter

Did you know this was a thing? This is a thing.

Once the weather starts to cool, change the direction your fan spins to circulate heat in winter. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions if you’re not sure how to do this on your model.

4. Get ready for the season change

Get heating system serviced

Don't wait for fall and winter to check your heating system. Check with professionals in your area for an annual inspection between seasons. They'll help you with any current cooling issues your home faces and help you prepare for the cold months to come.

Store summer items and replace with fall items

As the temperatures drop, say goodbye to pool supplies, beach towels, and flip-flops and hello to coats and boots and see if you can dig up a pair of mittens.

While uncovering your fall and winter gear, sort out the old and unused items to cut down on the clutter. Create "keep, donate, or trash" piles to stay organized.

5. Inspect your bathrooms

Check bathtub caulking

Mildew, hard-water buildup, and age can deteriorate the caulking around your tub, so be ready to replace it to keep things looking fresh and safely sealed.

Consider non-slip surfaces

Accidents happen in and out of the bathroom. Add a grippy mat to your bathtub and replace that rug that slides everywhere to prevent falls in your bathroom.

6. Take on some small tasks

Dust the handrail 

If your home has stairs, dust off the handrail. It's hard to make your grand entrance with dust all over your hands.

Test the smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors

We recommend testing all your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Give them fresh batteries and don't be afraid to replace them with newer, smarter models that can alert you to danger when you aren't home.

7. Clean up the outdoors

Drain and winterize outside irrigation

If you live in a place that drops below freezing in the winter, you need to turn your outside water off and winterize your irrigation system. Get on it. Pronto.

Turn off and cover AC unit

At some point this month, you’ll probably crank that AC for the last time. Power it down and cover it to protect the unit from the winter elements.

Install storm windows

If you’ve got them, install ‘em. Lock in those storm windows before the first big nor’easter hits.

Rake leaves and dispose of mulch

It’s tempting to leave all that mess for another time, but your lawn will suffer under the weight of that muck. Remove leaves and mulch from your yard and dispose of it at your local green-waste facility.

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Prune plants and trees

Many plants, and especially trees, should be pruned in the fall—so tackle unruly branches and shape shrubs before the first frost.

Inspect roof

This is your last chance to spot problems before the snow starts flying, so take a good look and fasten any loose shingles.

Organize the garage for winter and fall

Before the leaves start shedding, dig up your trusty leaf blower and rake. If you have a lawnmower, conduct any seasonal maintenance before putting it away like removing the fuel and other components.

Fertilize your lawn

Before summer's completely gone, put another healthy dose of fertilizer on your lawn. Your grass will wake up in the spring and thank you.

Clean gutters

Clear the last of the debris from those gutters to make them ready for runoff from approaching storms. Clogged gutters in the winter can result in ice dams that’ll damage the exterior of your home.

Drain and store garden hoses

Your hoses will last longer if you care for and store them properly along with your other garden tools. Just don’t forget to drain the water first. Or get a nice, icy cold surprise when you wind them up. Either way—your choice.

Touch up exterior paint

Walk around the perimeter of your home and give any unsightly spots a touch-up. It’ll be your last chance to put on a good face before the holidays.

If you’re afraid you’ll fail to get a handle on your fall tasks, schedule one per week on your calendar so September doesn’t get away from you.

Katie McEntire
Written by
Katie McEntire
As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She’s tested devices like pet cameras, home security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she also makes videos for the site’s YouTube channel. She’s been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews.

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