It's getting colder by the day, and pretty soon you're going to want to start getting cosy [1] and hibernating with a pile of books [2]. The turn of Autumn is the perfect time to do all of the jobs you've been putting off all Summer, especially after the kids have gone back to school and normal household service has resumed. Consider it an autumnal take on the classic Spring clean. Make your way through these jobs now, and you'll be ready for chilly evenings and hot chocolate in a cosy, clean home.

Defrost the Freezer

Throw out everything that you can't identify, or is way past its best. Definitely throw out all that stuff that's been in there since this time last year. Turn everything else into an unconventional buffet. Now, you're ready for batch cooking.

Organise the Kitchen Cupboards

This is a great time to stock up on tins and basics: pastas, chopped tomatoes, beans, and lentils. You'll reach for these time and again when the nights start to draw in, but first things first, empty out the cupboards. Throw away anything you haven't used for six months. No exceptions.

Clean the BBQ

Take your BBQ for one last spin before Autumn really sets in, and then give it a good clean. Put it away properly, safe and protected from the elements, so it's ready to go when the warm weather rolls back around. Your future self will be so grateful to your past self.

Clean the Windows

Inside and out! You won't want to do this in Winter, so get it out of the way while there are still some hours of daylight left. If you live several floors up, hire a window cleaner.

Get to the Bottom of the Laundry Basket

Ah, the impossible task. It's time to take advantage of the last few dry, sunny days left in which to dry clothes outdoors. Wash everything or take it to the cleaners. If there's something loitering in the bottom of your laundry basket that's been there for over a year, wash it and immediately take it to a charity shop. You're never going to wear it again and you clearly don't miss it.

Make Do and Mend

Hems you've been meaning to fix, buttons you've been meaning to sew, and linings that need replacing: do them all now. Your dry cleaner will take care of small repairs pretty cheaply if you know you won't get around to it yourself. But take a couple of hours to do a few simple sewing jobs, and you'll be delighted to have your old favourites back!

Empty Your Handbags

You don't need that pile of receipts you've been carrying around for six months. You really don't need seven pens. Empty everything out from every single bag you own and you'll feel less like you're (literally) carrying excess baggage around with you. Leave the four lipsticks in there, though. You never know when they might come in handy.

Get Coats and Winter Weight Duvets Dry-Cleaned

Don't wait until you need a coat to get yours cleaned. Otherwise you'll be freezing in your little denim jacket on the coldest day of the year. Need to make space for everything? Seal all of your Summer clothes up in vacuum bags (but keep a few things out for surprise sunshine, or impromptu holidays).

Deep Clean the Carpets

All that Summer mud and guests tramping through the house builds up quicker than you realise, even if you vacuum the floors every week. Maybe that carpet is still cream under all that embedded pet hair, dust, and the tub of glitter that accidentally got spilled after a festival? A deep clean is the easiest way to make your rooms look bigger and brighter (and you can always pay someone to do it if you can't be bothered yourself). Give your sofa cushions and throws a bit of a spruce too - you're going to be spending a lot of time with them over the coming months.

Test Your Central Heating

If there's a problem with your heating it's far easier to get someone out now than in November when everyone suddenly realises their boiler's dead on the coldest night of the year. Fire it up and check everything is heating up properly. Bleed the radiators if they're staying lukewarm. If your boiler is getting older, book a service now, too.

Deal With the "Messy Drawer"

If you don't have a messy drawer, you might well have a corner. You know the one. Everything ends up there when you're too lazy to put it in the right place. Deal with it and you'll feel completely refreshed.

Check the Batteries in the Smoke Alarm

Replace the batteries, and check the carbon monoxide testers, too. In Winter, the heating is on, you're more cosy but you're also more at risk of heating hazards, so don't put it off until tomorrow, do it right now.

Tackle DIY and Decorating Jobs

Make sure you do tricky jobs before before the daylight hours disappear and you're too scared to go out to the shed in the dark. You won't feel like doing it when you get home and it's dark and miserable, you'll feel like watching TV and getting cosy under a blanket, but the wonky picture frame and squeaky door will still annoy you.

Hang Your Pictures

You've been meaning to do it for way too long.