2. Pool Toys

Before you set out to clean all of your pool toys, start by giving them all a good inspection. If there are toys that are broken, cracked, or have holes, mold, or other issues, you should probably go ahead and toss them. After all, some items might not be intended for numerous summers of rough wear and tear. Give the ones worth saving a good scrub (and plenty of time to dry) before stowing them away for the season. 

3. Beach Towels

During the high season, we're likely to skip a few washes between towel uses—particularly pool towels. But those who have let a lake-soaked towel simmer in a boat bag overnight won't make that smelly mistake twice. Run your towels through the washing machine on a hot cycle after your last beach or pool day of the season. Do a close inspection to determine if all of the towels are up for another summer in the sun or if they should be demoted to the doggy towel stash. 

4. Outdoor Furniture  

To keep your porch and patio furniture looking its best for another season, proper care must be taken before winter weather hits. To help take the guesswork out of this endeavor, we've pulled together a guide to cleaning outdoor furniture that breaks down the best strategy for each material. To help protect outdoor furniture from the elements, consider investing in furniture covers that can be used in the off-season.

5. Outdoor Cushions  

The good thing about outdoor cushions is that they can usually be safely stored inside during cold weather. But before bringing them in, make sure you wash them to remove any stuck-on stains or debris. If you can remove the covers, wash per the label's instructions. If that's not an option, you should still be able to get your cushions and pillows clean with a homemade cleaning solution and a little elbow grease.

6. Window Screens  

Depending on the climate where you live, window screens might be something that you put away each year on the Tuesday after Labor Day, while others might still get some mileage well into November. Either way, it's a good idea to clean your screens at the end of the summer, even if you're just putting them back on the windows for a few more months. You can use a similar process to clean your window screens as you would porch screens (which you should also consider cleaning at this time if you have them). 

7. Lawn Mowers  

When the lawn slows its growth and your mower has made its last cut of the season, be sure to thoroughly clean it before stowing it in your shed or garage for the winter. If you wait on this task, you'll be met with a much more tedious and time-consuming to-do once spring hits. Exactly how you go about winterizing your mower will depend on what kind you have as well as manufacturer recommendations, but start by scrubbing all grass, dirt, debris, and oil from the machine and blades. You'll also want to remove the filter and battery, sharpen the blades, drain the gasoline, replace the oil, and cover the machine for the season.

8. Ceiling Fans  

To maximize the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling, it's best practice to switch the rotation of your fan with the seasons. But before you flip the switch from counterclockwise to clockwise, give your fan a good clean while you're up there. Ideally, clean your fan blades more than just twice yearly, but go ahead and seize the opportunity for a more thorough wipe-down than your ceiling fan usually sees.