Summer Cleaning Checklist: 10 Things You Should Clean This Season

Prep your home for warm weather with our list of summer cleaning tips. Here's everything that needs a good scrub before the seasons change.

As we transition to warmer weather, certain household chores will need attention. (Time to dust off the BBQ!) Check out our summer cleaning checklist to help refresh your home and yard.

Air Vents

As the hot weather approaches, your air conditioner will soon be humming along every day. Now is the perfect time to clean any dusty air vents in your home. Use your vacuum’s brush attachment to get rid of dust. For extra grimy vents, unscrew them from the wall or floor, then wash in the sink with hot, soapy water.

Wardrobe

As you put away winter clothes and bring warm weather clothes out of storage, take this opportunity to clean your closets from top to bottom. Set aside unworn clothing to donate, wipe down dusty walls and mop the floor.

BBQ

Summer means BBQ season! If you haven’t touched your bbq since last year, get it ready for that first rack of juicy ribs with a thorough cleaning. Set the burners on high (with the lid closed) for about 15 minutes to burn off any food or grease. Then, use a grill brush to brush the grates clean. Wipe down the interior and exterior for a shiny finish.

Deck

Mostly likely you did some maintenance with your spring cleaning. But summer is another great time to sweep your deck, spray down dusty furniture and get everything in tiptop shape for evening sessions enjoying the fresh air. To deep-clean a concrete patio, make sure you call Wash Rite 0800 101 216

Laundry

Beach towels, sports uniforms and swimsuits will be in heavy rotation this summer, creating more laundry. Plus sweat, chlorine, grease and campfire smoke all make for extra smelly clothes! For odor-fighting power, add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle or 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.

Rubbish Bin

Speaking of smells, hot summer weather tends to make your rubbish can even stinkier than usual. Take your empty bin outside and scrub it with soap and water, then rinse with the garden hose. Another tip is to soak a cotton ball in essential oil (5-15 drops) and toss it into your trash can before putting in a new liner for long-lasting fresh scent. 

Kid Clutter

With kids spending their days at home, there will be plenty of messes to clean up. Minimize this as much as possible by getting rid of toy clutter. Any toys that haven’t been played with for awhile can be donated, or list them on your local marketplace or trade me for some extra pocket money.

You can get rid of grown-up clutter, too!

Windows

Time to let the sunshine in! Get your windows sparkling clean with this homemade window cleaning solution. Mix one part distilled vinegar with 10 parts warm water in a spray bottle. Spray on the solution, then use a lint-free towel to wipe down the window. Use a second clean cloth to dry the window thoroughly.

Need a deeper clean? Call us at Clean Rite

Dust

Dusting is a year-round chore, but it can be an even bigger problem in the summer because most of us have our house sealed up with the air conditioner running—so the dust is trapped inside. Use a microfiber cloth(which is better at trapping dust then a regular cotton cloth) to wipe down surfaces. Dampen the microfiber cloth with an all-purpose cleaner, then start from the top with door frames and ceiling fan blades, and work your way down to tabletops and skirting.

Fridge

There’s never a bad time to deep-clean your fridge, but we love the idea of getting it spotless and ready for fresh summer produce. Wipe down the trays and drawers with a sponge and soapy water. Any parts that are removable can be scrubbed in the sink or popped in the dishwasher. For particularly sticky messes, try using a magic eraser. When everything is clean, do a final wipe-down with a spray bottle full of diluted vinegar. It will disinfect without adding any harmful chemicals to your food storage area.