Horizontal fabric shades give a warm look to spruced-up rooms after fall cleaning

Spring cleaning is deeply ingrained in people's minds when they consider giving their homes a top-to-bottom cleanup, but fall also lends itself to a clean sweep before winter sets in.

Chris Miller of Household Help, a cleaning service in Racine, Wisconsin, said there's just as much reason to clean out the cobwebs in fall, before turning one's attention to holiday decorating and shopping.

Floors and carpeting take a beating all summer since dirt and grass clippings are tracked in from the yard and garden. Having carpets professionally cleaned is a good start to the colder months.

Windows may also need a thorough washing, but many new windows have UV filters that may be damaged by glass cleaners. "Take a microfiber cloth and get it damp with warm water," Miller told the Racine Journal Times. "Wipe the window, then use a dry microfiber cloth to dry it. That's the way I clean all my windows."

Now also is a good time to consider adding window treatments that create a warm look to go with spruced-up rooms for winter. Horizontal fabric shades are made from easy to clean fabric that gives a softer look, but has the versatility of venetian blinds and the style of a pleated shade.