The Ultimate Summer Cleaning Checklist

Summer cleaning is a perfect way to refresh your home after the busy spring season and prepare it for the long, warm days ahead.

Just like spring cleaning, summer cleaning helps you clear out the clutter and wipe away the messes that can build up during the year. This season of renewal and relaxation is an ideal time to give your home a thorough deep clean.

Here are some essential summer cleaning tips for your to-do list.

Start with Clutter!

One of the biggest areas where messes can accumulate is in clutter. Over the months, items get put aside to be dealt with later. Before you know it, there’s clutter everywhere. Tackling this clutter can make a world of difference. Even better, it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Here are a few tips for conquering clutter when summer cleaning:

Clean and store seasonal clothing/shoes: As you get ready for summer, it’s important to clean and store spring items. Wash seasonal clothes with quality laundry soap before boxing them up. This is also a great time to do any stain removal on clothing before storing them. For shoes, use a kid-safe all-purpose cleaner to remove stubborn debris before storing them away for the next season.
Donate what you won’t use: As you are clearing out clutter, it can be easy to hold on to items “just in case” you might need them again. Donating these items to a local charity gives them new life while helping you to cut down on clutter and live in a cleaner home.
Conquer paper clutter: Paper clutter is one of the biggest issues in most homes. Mail and other paper items come in and get left on tables, counters, and other areas to be dealt with later. Instead of setting these items aside, create a drawer, file, or location for these items so that you can handle them as needed. Another option would be to have a scanner so that you can scan documents in and file them on your computer to be addressed later.

Get Under, Behind, and Above Things

Many of the messes you will want to work on when summer cleaning are hiding under, behind, and above things. Our day-to-day cleaning often focuses on the visible and easily accessible areas. While this is perfect for everyday cleaning, it can leave hidden messes and smells in the home. Spending some time moving things out of their normal places can have a huge impact. Here are some common areas to move for deeper cleaning:

Appliances: Stoves, refrigerators, and even countertop appliances can hide big messes. Move your appliances from their traditional location long enough to clean under, behind, and along the sides of these appliances. When moving your oven and refrigerator, make sure to wipe down the sides with a degreaser to remove any stubborn messes. When cleaning under and behind appliances, use the same degreaser to remove stubborn stains from floors or even from walls.
Furniture: Another common area where messes love to hide is under and around furniture. Take some time to move couches, tables, and other furniture. Use a floor cleaner to clean floors beneath furniture and a kid-safe all-purpose cleaner to wipe down walls and the backs of furniture. This is also a great time to dust any knick-knacks.
Empty Cabinets: When doing a deep clean, empty out cabinets and dressers. Wipe out shelves and drawers with a kid-safe all-purpose cleaner before returning items. This is also the perfect opportunity to dispose of expired items and donate items you will no longer use.

Work on Larger Areas for Bigger Returns

When deep cleaning, it can be easy to hyper-focus on small neglected areas. While this is beneficial and needed, it can leave you feeling like you didn’t achieve much.

Thankfully, there are some larger area cleaning tasks that will have more of a reward when cleaning. Here are a few suggestions for areas you can clean fairly quickly that are sure to leave you feeling accomplished:

Walls: It can be easy to overlook the walls. Cleaning your walls can freshen the smell of your home and give the house a facelift. Even better, it’s a quick job! Use a bundle like the 5-minute Clean Walls bundle for a clean you can be proud of without any back pain or stress.
Floors: Floors often get a quick sweep, mop, or vacuum but rarely get a truly deep clean. Taking extra time to deep clean floors can remove messes, make the house look cleaner, and even freshen up the smell of your home. Use a high-powered safe cleaner that will help to remove stains and give floors new life heading into summer.
Deep Clean the Bathroom: Use a shower rejuvenation kit to remove hard water stains and prevent future messes. Products like this allow you to deep clean the bathroom once and then do maintenance cleaning moving forward. It can also help to use a bathroom magic cleaner to clean the bottom and back of toilets. When cleaning toilets, make sure to remove the seats and deep clean the base of the toilet as well.

Window Sills, Ledges, and Air Conditioning Vents

When cleaning, many people overlook window sills, ledges, and air conditioning vents. These areas are often coated in dust and debris. Use a microfiber cloth and a kid-safe all-purpose cleaner to wipe down these areas. This will help to clean the area and prevent the build-up of future dust. It can also help to clean off the different air conditioning vents throughout the home in this manner.

Pool and Deck Area

The pool and deck area is a hub of activity during the summer months, and keeping it clean and safe is essential for enjoyment and maintenance.

Clean the Pool: Regularly skim the surface of the pool to remove leaves and debris. Vacuum the pool floor and brush the walls to prevent algae buildup. Ensure the pool's chemical balance is maintained for safe swimming conditions.
Deck Maintenance: Sweep the deck to remove dirt and debris. Use a deck cleaner to scrub the surface, removing stains and mildew. Check for any loose boards or nails and repair them to prevent accidents.
Furniture and Accessories: Wipe down pool furniture with a mild soap solution and rinse thoroughly. Clean and store pool accessories like floats and toys properly to extend their lifespan.

Garage

The garage can quickly become a catch-all for items that don’t have a designated spot in the house. A thorough summer clean can help you reclaim this space.

Declutter: Start by sorting through items and deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. Organize tools, sports equipment, and other items using shelves, hooks, and bins.
Deep Clean: Sweep and hose down the garage floor to remove dust and dirt. For oil stains, use a degreaser to lift and clean the spots effectively.
Check and Organize: Inspect the garage door and opener for any issues, and lubricate moving parts if necessary. Arrange seasonal items for easy access and store winter gear in labeled bins.

Pool and Outdoor Toys/Playground Items

Keeping outdoor toys and playground equipment clean ensures that kids have a safe and fun environment to play in.

Clean Pool Toys: Rinse pool toys with fresh water and allow them to dry in the sun to prevent mold and mildew. For a deeper clean, use a mixture of water and vinegar.
Playground Equipment: Scrub playground equipment with a kid-safe all-purpose cleaner to remove dirt and grime. Check for any loose bolts or broken parts and repair them to ensure safety.
Store Properly: When not in use, store toys and equipment in a shaded area or a storage bin to protect them from the elements and prolong their life.

Gutters for Summer Storms

Preparing your gutters for summer storms can prevent water damage and ensure your home is ready for heavy rain.

Clear Debris: Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from the gutters and downspouts. Use a gutter cleaner to safely remove dirt and mildew.
Inspect for Damage: Look for any signs of damage, such as cracks, rust, or loose brackets. Repair or replace damaged sections to ensure proper water flow.
Install Gutter Guards: Consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from accumulating and reduce the frequency of cleaning.

By following these summer cleaning tips, you can ensure your home is fresh, clean, and ready for the warm months ahead. Happy cleaning!

The Ultimate Summer Cleaning Checklist