It's a lot more pleasant to do major cleaning while the weather is still nice outside and you can open a window to air out the house. You'll also have more energy in the fall when the sun sets later.

Falls from ladders are among the leading causes of work-related injury and death according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor. Make sure you know about ladder safety and observe safe ladder practices.

If your roof gutters are clogged with leaves, you may have problems with accumulated water on the roof itself or on your walls and foundation. Fall is a great time to clear them out before the heavy rains and snow begin.

Before you start on your roof gutter cleaning project, you will need to prepare a narrow trowel, a stiff brush, safety goggles, work gloves, a plastic garbage bag and a hose with a pressure attachment.

Start your gutter cleaning project near the drain outlets, where you should find the heaviest concentration of leaves and gunk. Use a narrow trowel to scoop the mess into a plastic garbage bag.

The best time to clean your gutters is the day after a light rain. The slightly damp leaves and dirt will be easier to remove.

After you have manually cleared your roof gutters of large debris, use a hose with attached pressure attachment to remove any remaining silt from your gutters and to check if your downspout is clear. Use a plumber's snake to clear any obstruction.

If water collects under your roof gutter's downspout during a heavy rain, think about investing in a sloped splash box that will reroute water away from your foundation.

A good kitchen scrubbing once in a while keeps germs and grease buildup under control and makes everything smell fresher and look brighter.

To clean your refrigerator thoroughly, remove all of the food as well as the shelves, racks, bins and trays. Rinse everything with an antibacterial cleaner and be sure to clean the door gasket, which provides an air-tight seal.

Be sure to pull out the refrigerator and vacuum the condenser coils thoroughly. Clean condenser coils will save you energy dollars by keeping your refrigerator running efficiently.

To get your dishwasher really clean and fresh-smelling, use some baking soda on a damp sponge to wipe down the interior .

Fall is the perfect time to stock your car with essentials you might need during the cold and snowy winter months, such as an ice scraper, an umbrella, a blanket and warm gloves.

Fall is as good a time as any to empty your car and trunk of excess junk that you don't need. Carrying extra weight in your car wastes gas and money.

Make sure you have easy access to your current car registration and proof of insurance by storing it in your car's glove compartment. Never keep food in your car for any length of time.

If your garage is so full of junk your car hasn't fit inside in years, it's time to make a change. Garages should be used to protect your car from thieves and from the elements.

The first step in organizing your garage is to take everything outside. You can then sweep or clean the floor with a wet-dry vacuum and install new shelving or bins.

The first step to organizing your garage is to decide which things you want to keep, which things you can throw away and which things can be given away to others who might appreciate them.

To prepare bedding for winter, use very hot water --130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 Celsius) or higher -- to kill dust mites and bacteria.

Bleach can kill virtually every type of indoor mold it comes into contact with. Before winter starts, clean surfaces that tend to stay moist, like shower enclosures and sinks, with special mold cleaners or with a weak solution of bleach and dishwashing liquid.