Pave the way for crisp autumn days—and even cooler nights: Clear out hall closets to make room for heavier coats and jackets. Also, replace cotton sweaters and linen scarves with lighter-weight cashmeres and knits to carry you through the transition season, cleaning all items (and making any repairs) before storing them. Now is also a good time to clear out and donate anything you no longer wear.
Make your sofas and beds cozier with wool and fleece blankets and heavier, higher thread-count sheets. Air out any stored bedding on a sunny day to rid it of musty odors. Clean lightweight blankets and sheets, and store them for winter.
GENTLE REMINDERS
Take advantage of end-of-season sales at garden centers and nurseries. Skip annuals, as they won’t come back next season; instead stock up on perennials and shrubs.
Start a meal-planning habit, now that summer has given way to the more bustling schedule of fall. Each weekend, plan menus, do your shopping, and get some prep out of the way.
Capture that late- summer tomato bounty: Spend a day making sauce, puréeing them for soups, or slow-roasting and freezing them to enjoy throughout the winter.
Have a favorite apple variety? What’s best at your local orchard will vary by the week, so give them a call or check their website before you go.
Martha Must
It’s important to rid the house of dust that collects over the summer, which is often full of allergy-inducing pollen. First vacuum woodwork and baseboards, using the brush attachment. Then wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner.
