Summer Cleaning Tips for a Refreshing Home

The summer season brings warmth, sunshine, and the perfect opportunity to tackle some essential cleaning tasks. With our easy-to-follow summer cleaning tips, you can keep your home fresh, comfortable, and ready for relaxation. Take a look at these practical maintenance suggestions that will help you maintain a clean and enjoyable living environment during the summer months.

Clean the Air Conditioner Filters- Ensure optimal functioning of your air conditioner by cleaning or replacing the filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow and reduces efficiency. Replace the filter, as often as monthly depending on the filter type. Most HVAC and vent filters will have a recommended change by date (1-3 months etc). This simple step will keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer days ensuring your HVAC continues to work efficiently. Depending on the size of your home, some may have 2-3 filters. If your comfortable doing so, cleaning the AC drip line with equal parts water and vinegar can help minimize dust build up within the lines. An easy way to remember when to change the filters or clean the drip line is to set a reminder on your phones calendar.

Refresh the Fans- Dusty fans can worsen summer allergies and other cold like symptoms. Clean the blades on your fans using a handheld Swiffer duster or damp cloth. Make sure to reverse the direction of the blades to counterclockwise. This adjustment promotes better air circulation, making your air conditioner more effective and potentially saving you on energy costs. This is an easy step that’s often overlooked! In the winter months, you’ll want to flip that switch and the blades should be rotating clockwise.

Brighten the Windows- Embrace the pleasant weather and give your windows a thorough cleaning. For the outside windows (the ones you can safely access) use soapy water and a sponge to remove dirt and grime. After, wipe down the inside and outside of the windows with a glass cleaning solution and soft microfiber towel. For a more natural cleaning solution, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. For stubborn stains, a little extra scrubbing may be required. Clean windows allow more natural light into your home and enhance your view of the beautiful summer scenery.

Revitalize Window Screens- Now that we are on the topic of cleaning our windows let’s talk about those screens! As you open your windows to enjoy fresh air, it's essential to keep the window screens clean. Suds up the screens to remove dust, pollen, and potential mold buildup. This helps maintain good indoor air quality while allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a gentle summer breeze. It will also clear up your view of the outside world but removing built up dust and dirt. Easy Living Cleaners hack, remove the screen from the window after spraying it down. This method is a bit more efficient as excess soap/water will also hit the glass behind the screen.

Refresh the Fridge- With warmer temperatures, bacteria can multiply faster, even inside your refrigerator. Take the time to clean and sanitize your fridge, removing expired or moldy items. Double check those expiration dates as its easy to forget how long ago we bought a particular sauce or salad dressing! Wipe down surfaces with gentle antibacterial soap. For fruits and vegetables, consider using a food-grade cleaner to ensure they are thoroughly washed, minimizing the risk of bacteria like salmonella. Another Easy Living Cleaners hack, add your vegetables to a large bowl, sprinkle some baking soda on them, add water and allow them to sit for 15 minutes. During those 15 minutes occasional mix the fruits and veggies around. Make sure to rinse them with water afterwards and wash your hands.

Create an Inviting Patio- Make the most of your outdoor space by cleaning and revitalizing your patio. Use a broom to clear away any loose dirt, or any easier method would be to use an electric landscaping blower! Remove moss and lichen by spritzing a mixture of bleach and water or using baking soda, or equal parts vinegar and water. These natural methods effectively kill and dry out the growth, allowing you to easily rake and clear the patio area. Enjoy your revamped outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining.

Clear Out the Freezer- On a scorching summer day, take the opportunity to clean and organize your freezer. Begin by emptying the ice cubes into the sink. Transfer frozen items to a separate container (or cooler) covered with ice to keep them frosty while you clean. If you have extra fridge space, you can place some of those items within your refrigerator while you clean. Chip away built-up frost using a spatula or car ice scraper and hot water. Discard any freezer-burned items, and ensure everything is properly sealed.

Maintain the Drains and Garbage Disposal- Prevent unpleasant smells in the summer heat by regularly cleaning your drains and garbage disposal. Avoid sticking your hands in the disposal and use a natural cleaning method. Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down the drain, let it bubble for five minutes, and rinse with boiling water. Repeat every two weeks to keep the drain odor-free. You can use this method with the drains around your home!

Daily Sweep and Clean Counters- Combat summer pests by keeping your counters and floors clean. Wipe down the counters every day to remove crumbs and spills that can attract ants and other bugs. Sweeping the floors at night helps prevent creepy crawlies from invading your home. These simple habits help maintain a pest-free environment.

Check for Leaks- As you utilize outdoor faucets and hoses more frequently during the summer, inspect them for leaks. Undetected leaks can result in costly surprises on your water bill or result in muddy & damaged landscaping. If you find any leaks or dampness, promptly fix them with waterproof gardening tape to conserve water and avoid unnecessary expenses. Easy Living Cleaners pro tip your AC drip line might be expelling excess water which can cause areas to get muddy. Find some PVC pipe from a local hardware store and attach it to the AC Drip line and reroute that water!

Extras- There are many other cleaning techniques and weekly tasks that you could do for Sparkling Summer Home. Read over our Home Cleaning Checklist guide for more tips. At Easy Living Cleaners, we understand that summer should be a time for relaxation, not for doing cleaning chores. That's why we offer exceptional house cleaning services to keep your home sparkling while you enjoy your time off. Our professional team will ensure that your house remains fresh, inviting, and free from summertime mold or bugs. If you're planning to rent out your home or vacation house this summer, our Vacation Rental cleaning services are perfect for you. Our experienced staff knows exactly what it takes to clean and prepare a property for guests, even on a tight turnover schedule. With Easy Living Cleaners, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vacation rental will be spotless and ready to impress.