Everyday Cheapskate: The Housework You May Be Doing at the Wrong Time

Mary Hunt on Sep 7, 2026

I have wonderful news for anyone who has spent the summer looking through dirty windows while steadfastly refusing to wash them. You weren't procrastinating.

You were waiting for September.

I realize this may sound suspiciously convenient, but some household chores really do make more sense when summer is winding down and cooler weather is on the way. So if you've been feeling mildly guilty about all the things you didn't get around to during June, July and August, you may now reclassify at least a few of them as brilliant seasonal planning.

You're welcome.

Take windows. Washing them on a blazing summer day seems virtuous until the heat causes the cleaning solution to dry on the glass before you can wipe it away, leaving streaks where the dirt used to be. Spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, are generally better times for the job.

There's another advantage to waiting: By early fall, your windows have collected an entire summer's worth of pollen, dust, fingerprints, rain spots and whatever that mysterious substance is that birds contribute to the exterior decorating process. Clean them once and you're starting the new season fresh.

Rugs and upholstered furniture can wait too.

Summer is hard on both. Doors are open. Kids are in and out. Pets apparently make it their life's work to bring the outdoors indoors. Sand, dirt, grass and assorted crumbs arrive daily.

Deep-clean a rug in June and you may simply be preparing a nice clean surface for July to destroy.

Once summer traffic settles down, give rugs a thorough vacuuming, and clean upholstery according to the manufacturer's instructions. This is one of those rare situations in which waiting can actually mean doing the job once instead of twice.

And then there is the garage.

I believe every garage contains a secret multiplying device. You put one beach chair in there in May, and by August, it has produced three pool noodles, two coolers, seven reusable shopping bags, a bicycle pump and a cardboard box filled with stuff nobody will admit owning.

Trying to organize a garage in midsummer is almost pointless because you're still using all that summer gear. September is different. That's when you can clean and store what won't be needed for a while, and make room for the things you'll want when cooler weather arrives.

There are also jobs that aren't really cleaning at all but deserve a spot on the early-fall list because they can save trouble later.

Check weatherstripping around doors and windows while it's pleasant enough to stand outside without your teeth chattering. Look for gaps, cracks and worn areas before you're paying to heat the great outdoors. Fall is also a sensible time to inspect outdoor faucets, hoses and irrigation equipment so they're ready to be drained or protected before freezing weather arrives.

And please, while you're feeling industrious, check the dryer vent. If your clothes suddenly require two cycles to dry, consider that a message from your dryer. It is not asking for early retirement. It may be asking you to clean its vent.

I'm not talking about the little lint screen you clean after every load -- this is the duct that carries hot air from the dryer to the outside of your house. Lint can accumulate there, restricting airflow, making the dryer work harder and creating a fire hazard. The full vent system should be cleaned regularly -- at least annually is a common recommendation.

Of course, none of this means September should become some kind of household boot camp. That's precisely what I'm trying to prevent.

The point of seasonal housekeeping is not to create more work. It's to do necessary work when it makes the most sense. Do a little research. You may discover you're simply ahead of schedule.

========

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, "Ask Mary." This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book "Debt-Proof Living."