How to Simplify Your Laundry, Cleaning Supplies, and Seasonal Decor This October

October is one of those months that can feel like a turning point at home. The rush of back-to-school has passed, routines are in place, but cracks are starting to show. Laundry piles a little faster, the under-sink cupboards look more chaotic than you remember, and bins of decor are quietly stacking up in the corner.

It’s also the month where many of us start decorating for fall, juggling Halloween costumes, and already feeling the weight of the holidays creeping closer. Which makes October the perfect time to reset.

In Room Refresh this month, that’s exactly what we’re working on: laundry rooms, cleaning supplies, and seasonal decor. Because if you set up these systems now, the rest of the season - and the holidays - feel so much lighter.

When the laundry starts taking over 

Laundry is one of the first systems to unravel when life gets busy. Because it never ends, small inefficiencies grow into overwhelm. A few changes can make this space less draining:

• Divide by person, not by type. Instead of sorting socks and shirts, give each family member their own basket. It skips half the folding decisions and shifts responsibility off your shoulders.

• Anchor laundry to an existing habit. Toss in a load while the coffee brews or switch it over when you start dinner. Pairing laundry with something automatic prevents pile-ups.

• Keep tools within reach. A slim rolling cart between machines or a collapsible basket tucked beside the dryer keeps things functional instead of cluttered.
  👉 I pulled together my favourite laundry room tools for you here.

The cupboard full of cleaning supplies 

By October, most people realize just how many sprays, bottles, and half-used solutions are lurking in cupboards. This clutter hides out of sight, but it still drains energy.

• Set a limit. One everyday spray, one specialty cleaner per surface (ex: glass, counters, bathrooms). Everything else goes.

• Decant or group duplicates. Half-empty bottles take up double the space. Consolidate or toss them.

• Make it visible. Use an under-sink organizer so nothing disappears to the back. If you can’t see it, you won’t use it.

The season of decor

This is the time of year when decor can easily tip into chaos. Fall decorations are out, Halloween is in full swing, and holiday bins are starting to creep out of storage. Without limits, it becomes box after box of stress.

• Create a “one bin per season” rule. One for fall, one for Halloween, one for winter holidays. Boundaries make decisions for you.

• Declutter before you store. If it’s broken, dusty, or you didn’t use it this year, let it go before it gets packed away again.

• Give each category a home. A wreath storage bag saves you from dust, a holiday light organizer saves you from untangling, and labeled bins save you from digging through chaos.
  👉 I pulled all my favourite holiday organization finds into one list here so you can choose what works best for your home.

Quick wins to try this week

• Toss in a load with your coffee. No more “laundry days” - just one small load tied to something you already do. Way less overwhelming.

• Let go before you decorate. If you didn’t put it out this fall, don’t shove it back in a bin for next year. One less box means one less headache.

The takeaway

October is the perfect month to reset the spaces that tend to crack under pressure. With a few boundaries and systems in place, you can enjoy your fall and holiday season without feeling buried in clutter.

This is exactly what we’re focusing on inside Room Refresh this month - laundry rooms, cleaning supplies, and seasonal decor - broken down week by week with psychology-backed strategies to make it all stick.

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