As we transition to warmer weather, certain household chores will need attention. (Time to dust off the grill!) 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.
Clothing Closets
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.
Grill
Summer means grilling season! If you haven’t touched your grill 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.
Patio
Mostly likely you did some patio maintenance with your spring cleaning. But summer is another great time to sweep your deck or patio, spray down dusty furniture and get everything in tiptop shape for evening sessions enjoying the balmy air. To deep-clean a concrete patio, mix 1/2 cup baking soda and one gallon of water for a gentle cleaning solution. (You can add a few drops of dish soap if you have some stubborn stains.)
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.
Find more ways to boost your laundry detergent.
Trash Can
Speaking of smells, hot summer weather tends to make your trash 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 host a fun summer yard sale with the kids’ help!
You can get rid of grown-up clutter, too—here’s how clutter-free people stay tidy.
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.
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 baseboards.
Refrigerator
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. 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.
The post Summer Cleaning Checklist: 10 Things You Should Clean This Season appeared first on Taste of Home.
Erica Young