October is the perfect time to get ahead before holiday schedules, school events, gatherings, and endless to-do lists begin piling up.
As a chemist and busy mom, I use this month to clean, check, and refresh a few areas that can create extra work later, from musty blankets and stubborn stains to dry skin and an overworked coffee maker.
Here are 12 smart things to do in October to help the rest of the year feel cleaner, calmer, and much easier.
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October Cleaning Tasks
1. Deep-Clean the Kitchen Sink and Disposal
Your kitchen is about to get much busier. Clean the sink, faucet, drain opening, and garbage disposal now before holiday cooking begins. Sinks are always overlooked too, but deep cleaning it now will help you maintain it better as the holidays start.
I like to clean the sink with a gentle mineral-based paste, refresh the disposal with a plant-based cleaning pod, and finish by buffing everything with a stainless-steel microfiber cloth.
The chemistry: Food residue and grease can collect inside damp sink and disposal areas, leading to unpleasant odors.
What to do: Scrub the sink, clean around the drain, and refresh the disposal. Helpful products include a sink cleaning paste, plant-based garbage disposal pods, detail brushes & sponges, and stainless steel microfiber cloths. You can also clean the drain with this one minute trick!
2. Descale the Coffee Maker
Coffee makers work overtime once cozy-drink and holiday-hosting season begins. October is a great time to remove mineral buildup before you start brewing more frequently.
The chemistry: Calcium and magnesium compounds in hard water form scale when water is repeatedly heated.
What to do: Use a citric acid descaler to descale your coffee pot, then follow up with some coffee machine brushes to make sure all the residue is clean inside.
3. Refresh the Entryway
Fall shoes carry in leaves, grass, dust, and moisture. Cleaning the entryway now helps prevent that mess from traveling through the house.
Believe it or not, the first thing to do when it comes to cleaning your entry way is to start with your porch.. Use our DIY outdoor cleaning spray to freshen up your door, then clean shake out welcome mats. Then, wash or vacuum any inside doormat, clean nearby rugs, wipe down the inside of the door, and refresh any upholstered benches or baskets. Then you can mop the floor well.
The chemistry: Moisture helps fine dirt particles stick to shoes, rugs, and flooring.
What to do: Shake out or wash the doormat, vacuum loose debris, and mop the surrounding floor. Spray some plant-based refresher around the space to make it even more inviting.
4. Clean Upholstered Furniture Before Guests Arrive
Couches and chairs collect crumbs, pet hair, body oils, dust, and odors. A quick October refresh can make the entire room look and smell cleaner.
Always check the fabric-care label before applying water or cleaner. My favorite way to clean all my upholstery in a timely manner is using a portable upholstery cleaner (this is the one I have used for 4 years now).
The chemistry: Porous fabric fibers hold oils, particles, hair, and odor-producing residue.
What to do: Vacuum beneath the cushions and treat visible spots with a stain remover. Follow up with a portable upholstery cleaner to make this job super fast!
October Laundry Tasks
5. Wash Blankets Before Putting Them Back Out
Even blankets that were clean when you stored them can develop a stale closet smell. Dust, body oils, detergent residue, and moisture may remain trapped in the fibers.
Give fall blankets a proper wash and make sure they are completely dry before returning them to the couch or bed. You can check out our fall laundry reset guide to learn more details.
The chemistry: Oils and residue trapped in fabric fibers can oxidize over time and create stale odors.
What to do: Wash blankets with the correct amount of detergent and dry them completely. I like using a bio enzyme detergent, enzyme booster, and wool dryer balls for this seasonal laundry reset.
6. Clean and Descale the Washing Machine
If freshly washed clothing doesn’t smell completely fresh, your laundry may not be the real problem.
Detergent, minerals, fabric softener, and grime can collect inside the washing machine. Clean the gasket, detergent compartment, and drum before heavier fall laundry begins soon. Follow up with a washing machine cleaner solution.
The chemistry: Moisture and product residue create areas where odor-producing buildup can develop.
What to do: Wipe the gasket and detergent compartments, then run a cleaning or descaling cycle. Washing machine descaling solution, small brushes, and microfiber cloths make this easier.
7. Build a Holiday Stain Kit
Coffee, cocoa, gravy, chocolate, makeup, and cranberry sauce can quickly become holiday stains. Create a small stain kit now so you can treat spills before they set.
The chemistry: Time and heat can cause certain stains to bond more firmly to fabric fibers.
What to do: Keep an enzyme stain remover, oxygen based cleaner, soft stain brush, and portable stain remover together in one convenient place. Always check that a stain is gone before putting the item in the dryer.
8. Check the Dryer Vent and Drying Tools
Thick towels and blankets take longer to dry. Restricted airflow can make the process even slower, so October is a good time to clean the lint screen and inspect accessible vent areas.
The chemistry: Water leaves fabric more efficiently when warm air can circulate freely.
What to do: Clean the lint screen, check accessible vent areas, and avoid overloading the dryer. A dryer vent brush cleaning kit comes in really handy for this!
October Skincare Tasks
Don’t neglect your skin in October! This is a crucial time to take care of your skin with some extra TLC as we approach the holiday season. It is also a good time to check out your skincare cabinet, throw away expired or old products, and clean all of your brushes and tools.
9. Switch to a More Hydrating Moisturizer
Cooler weather and indoor heat can leave skin feeling dry, tight, or flaky. You may not need an entirely new routine, but just a little more hydration.
The chemistry: Dry air can increase water loss from the outer layers of your skin.
What to do: Apply moisturizer while your skin is slightly damp. You can also add a hydrating serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid or overnight prebiotic mask to your fall routine.
10. Give Your Body-Care Routine a Fall Upgrade
We often remember to change our facial skincare but forget about the rest of the body. Hands, elbows, knees, and legs may need additional moisture as the weather changes.
The chemistry: Applying moisturizer to damp skin helps trap some of that water before it evaporates.
What to do: Keep a body serum beside the shower and apply it while your skin is still slightly damp. A richer hand treatment is also helpful during the colder months.
11. Clean the Beauty Tools Touching Your Skin
October is a good reminder to clean makeup brushes, gua sha tools, facial devices, hairbrushes, and reusable skincare accessories.
The chemistry: Oils, product residue, dead skin cells, and pigments accumulate on beauty tools with repeated use.
What to do: Choose one group of tools to clean each week. A gentle brush cleaner, soft cleaning cloths, drying mat, and small organizing containers can make this habit easier. You can also check our our DIY makeup brush cleaner.
12. Check Your Sunscreen and Everyday Skincare
Sunscreen is still important during fall. Check expiration dates, clean product caps, and replace anything that has noticeably changed in color, smell, or texture.
This is also a good time to simplify your routine and finish open products before purchasing more.
The chemistry: Exposure to light, heat, air, and time can gradually affect the stability of cosmetic formulas.
What to do: Check your expiration dates and place your everyday skincare somewhere convenient. Focus on dependable basics such as a prebiotic cleanser, hydrating tinted mineral sunscreen, and lip SPF.
Make the Rest of the Year Easier
Remember, getting ahead in October can make your entire holiday season easier! You don’t have to finish everything in one weekend. Choose a few tasks each week, stock up on the products you already use, and enjoy knowing that your home, laundry, and skincare routines are ready for the busy months ahead.
About Alexis
Hi, I’m Alexis, an investigative chemist, busy mom, and the creator of Chemistry Cachet. Since 2015, I’ve been sharing simple, science-backed tips for a cleaner home, healthier skin, and an easier everyday life. My goal is to explain the chemistry behind what actually works so you can save time, save money, and feel confident about the products you use.
Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more realistic cleaning hacks, skincare tips, and practical chemist-mom advice!
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