It's that time of year again. Kids are either back in school or will be shortly. It is time to pack away summer clothes, bring out the cool weather gear, and get the house in shape for the holidays.

Even if the weather stays warm longer in your area getting a start on cleaning and organizing for fall will make you life easier and more manageable. Once September hits, Thanksgiving and Christmas are not far behind. When your home is clean and organized you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the holidays with everyone else.

Get a head start now!

Start by checking through closets and dressers. Children's clothing can be organized into outfits. One outfit hung on a hanger, with a small net or cloth bag to hold a pair of underwear or socks. There is no need to separate by day. Kids will love being able to choose their own outfit and with everything in one place, there is no scavenger hunt in the mornings. Keep play or weekend clothing separate. This is a good trick for adult closets, too.

Put anything that does not fit anymore into a laundry bag. This laundry bag will hold all the clothing from all of the closets that will not be used any longer. If needed, carry two. After all outfits have been hung, place accessories into small bins on closet shelves or on top of dressers. This keeps them handy for children to choose their own. Pack away summer outfits if the weather has turned cooler. Keep a few out for warmer days. Vacuum away any dust or spider webs that might be lurking in corners. Replace the light bulb with a fluorescent one to save energy and to avoid an incandescent going out during an early morning.

Deep clean appliances now. To speed the cleaning process, spray down the insides of the dishwasher, the stove, and the fridge with non-diluted white vinegar, all at the same time. Wipe down the inside of the fridge and freezer while the vinegar works on the other appliances. Fill all of the soap and rinse sections on the dishwasher with vinegar, turn it on to the longest setting, then move to the outside of the fridge. Wipe clean, then vacuum the coils. Wipe down the outside of the dishwasher, then stove.

 Check the oven-if the grease has softened, wipe it out. Any hard, burned on residue should be covered with baking soda, then a touch of vinegar poured over. The fizzing action will work on the residue. Close the oven, vacuum under the top of the range if it is able to be opened. Wipe clean. Vacuum the back of the stove and all electrical connections-but do not touch. Finish scrubbing the oven.

Clean out the bathroom(s). Throw out all old make-up, lotions that are never used, and anything that can't be identified. Clean the mirrors and all glass. Clean the shower/tub, then dry out with a towel. Drying after every use will help prevent a tub-ring. Grout can be cleaned with a hard bristled tooth brush and vinegar/baking soda mix. The very best brush to use for these jobs is a denture cleaning brush. They can be found close to the denture cleaners in most stores.

Move to the living room. All of the clutter and everything that does not belong should be placed into a large grocery bag. Leave the bag by the door when finished picking up. Vacuum under the furniture, in the crevasses of the furniture, and anywhere that dust or dirt can accumulate. Pay special attention to heating ducts and the back or sides of the television.

When the room is clean, take the bag of displaced objects and return them to their proper place. If they do not have a proper place-make one or get rid of the item. Remember the more clutter you have the harder it will be to keep your home clean. Learn to let go of items you no longer need or want.

Clear out the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Toss out anything past the expiration date and any herbs or spices that are too old to be used. Some spices and herbs can be revitalized by drying in an oven on very low heat for about an hour. Throw them out if this does not work. Most herbs and spices lose flavor rapidly - anything that is over six months old (or so) should be checked for flavor. You can usually tell by the aroma.

Anything that is never used in the dishes or pots and pans should be donated to a thrift store or given away elsewhere. Wipe down all of the cabinet shelves, then the doors.

Replace everything-but do not fall prey to temptation to keep anything that should be thrown out or given away. If something simply must be kept, find another place to store it.

Clean the floors, table, and vacuum all of the ceiling corners.

Turn all mattresses. Flip over and rotate the head to the foot. Clean out from under the beds-vacuum or mop. Wash the bedroom curtained or damp-dust the blinds. Anything that does not belong or contribute to a restful room should be removed. Place scented candles or sachets in strategic places to create a haven of relaxation.

Once the bedrooms are freshened, if the walls need it- damp mop all walls in the house. This is a quick job, just wipe and swipe. Use warm water with lemon juice or orange oil to create freshness. If walls are papered or have matte paint, skip this step.

The deep cleaning is finished. Adapt this list to your own home and move as fast or as slow as you wish. Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it. Even if you only clean thirty minutes a day you will be making progress and your home will be in better shape at Christmas than it is right now.

A fall house cleaning will keep your home easy to maintain until it is time for Spring cleaning.