Every fall, homeowners in Philly get ready for the inevitable outdoor cleanup activities required for the season, including the removal of leaves, pine cones, acorns, and more. But there are also a few home improvement projects that you should take care of inside of your home as well. The good news is that autumn in Philadelphia is usually pretty mild and temperate, which makes it a great time to get some work done around the house. Here are a few ideas for getting your Philly home ready for the fall season.

Get Rid of the Dust

After a long spring and summer, your heating vents and ductwork will probably be full of dust after so many months of sitting unused. If it’s been a few years since your last duct cleaning, set up an appointment for a contractor to come clean your ducts before turning on your heating system again this year. Also open all of your windows and dust the entire house. A layer of dust has probably accumulated from having your windows closed for the summer due to the use of air conditioning. Don’t forget to dust your window treatments, blinds, and ceiling fans as well.

Fresh Carpet

After a long summer of foot traffic and hot temperatures, your home’s carpet probably needs some attention. Steam clean or shampoo all carpets and area rugs to deodorize your home and freshen the scent in the air. Look for a product that has a fall scent, like pumpkin spice, apple, cinnamon, or cider.

Early Weatherproofing

Weatherproofing is the process of making improvements to your house to keep cold air out. Though it’s probably not quite cold enough in Philly in early fall for a full weatherproofing treatment, there are a few things you can do now. First, walk around your doors and windows with a feather. Wave the feather around to see if there are any drafts that may be coming in through small cracks. Fill any drafts with caulk. Next, go to the rooms that are used the least and apply plastic sheeting to the windows for insulation. You can finish the rest of the windows in the home when the temperature drops significantly.

Fall Wreaths

Add a little fall decor to your home for the season by making DIY door wreaths using stuff on the ground outside. These are made of branches, twigs, leaves, or pine cones. Start by gently bending and forcing twigs into a circle, then bind with twine. Use a hot glue gun to adhere pine cones, leaves, and other elements in a pattern of your choice. It’s a simple way to make a statement in your home that says you’re ready for the season.

Image Source: Flickr/Kim Manley Ort

Autumn Scents

After you’ve taken care of all the other details, next make your home smell delightful. Place quality candles that are scented of cinnamon, apple pie, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or allspice. Candles should be in every room in your house, even if they aren’t lit. Remove the lid to allow the scent to permeate into each room.

Get set for the fall season by cleaning, decorating, and preparing the interior of your home. Start with home improvement projects that will prepare your house for the upcoming winter season, then move onto lighter tasks that will make your Philly home feel more comfortable and look amazing.

Main Image Source: Flickr/Brian Richardson

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