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10 summer cleaning tasks that keep the house fresh

July 01, 2024•6 min read

The summer cleaning tasks worth doing first are the ones that help the house stay cool and dry: dust the ceiling fans and switch them to counterclockwise, change the AC filters, clean the windows, screens and blinds, set up the entry for sand and pool towels, clear out the fridge, and keep bathroom humidity down. Then wash the heavy bedding and put it away clean.

Ten tasks, roughly in order, for late May or early June.

1. Dust the ceiling fans and switch their direction

A fan that sat all spring has a gray coat on the top of every blade. Turn it on and that dust lands on your bed and coffee table.

Slide an old pillowcase over each blade and pull it back toward you. The dust stays inside the case. Wipe the motor housing with a damp cloth, then flip the direction switch so the blades turn counterclockwise. That pushes air down and makes the room feel cooler.

Use a sturdy step stool, not a chair, and don't stretch past your reach.

2. Change the AC filters and clean the return grilles

A clogged filter makes the system work harder and pushes less air. Check the filter at the furnace or air handler, replace it if it looks gray, and write the date on the new one.

While you're there, vacuum the return grilles on the walls or floor with the brush attachment. For window units, slide out the front filter, rinse it in the sink, let it dry fully and put it back.

3. Wash the inside of the windows and clean the tracks

Summer light shows every streak. Vacuum the sills and tracks first with the crevice tool, then wipe the tracks with a damp cloth wrapped around a butter knife.

For the glass, a squeegee and a bucket of warm water with a few drops of dish soap beats spray and paper towels. Squeegee top to bottom, wiping the blade after each pass, and dry the edges with microfiber.

For the outside glass on upper floors, hire a window company with the right equipment instead of a ladder.

4. Wash the screens

Screens hold a winter's worth of pollen and grime, and it blows in the moment you open the window. Pop them out, lay them on the lawn or driveway, scrub gently with a soft brush and soapy water, rinse with the hose and let them dry in the sun before they go back in.

5. Clean the blinds and curtains

Closed blinds keep a sunny room cooler, so they'll be down a lot this summer. Clean them first.

Close the slats, run a microfiber cloth or the vacuum brush across them, then flip and repeat. Our window blinds guide covers wood, faux wood and fabric. Many curtains can go in the wash on gentle. Check the label first and hang them back up slightly damp to let the wrinkles fall out.

6. Set up the entry for summer

Beach sand, wet towels, sunscreen hands and flip-flops all come through the same door.

A boot tray for wet shoes and sandals
A hook or basket for pool towels, so they don't end up in a heap
A small brush or hand vacuum by the door for sand
A washable mat inside and out, shaken weekly

7. Clear out and wipe down the fridge

Cookout season means more food going in and out. Before it starts, empty the fridge one shelf at a time, toss anything expired, and wipe each shelf and drawer with warm soapy water. Dry everything before it goes back. A box of baking soda on a back shelf helps with smells.

For the rest of the kitchen, see how to maintain a clean kitchen.

8. Get ahead of bathroom and basement humidity

New Jersey summers are humid, and moisture is what makes a house smell musty.

Run the bathroom fan during every shower and for 20 minutes after.
Hang towels and bath mats spread out so they dry fully.
Wash bath mats weekly in summer.
Run a dehumidifier in the basement and empty it often.
Keep closet doors open a crack in rooms that feel damp.

9. Wash the heavy bedding and store it clean

When you swap to summer bedding, wash the comforter or duvet before it goes into storage. Stored dirty, it comes out in October smelling stale. Vacuum the mattress with the upholstery tool, flip or rotate it if the maker recommends that, and wash or dry the pillows on high heat if the care label allows.

10. Scrub the trash and recycling cans

Heat makes a trash can smell within days. Take the cans outside, hose them out, scrub with hot soapy water and a long brush, and let them dry upside down in the sun. A sprinkle of baking soda in the bottom before the new bag goes in helps.

How do you keep the house cooler while you're at it?

Keep blinds and curtains closed on the sunny side of the house during the afternoon.
Run ceiling fans only in rooms where people are. A fan cools the people under it, so an empty room gains nothing.
Cook outside, use the microwave, or plan no-cook dinners on the hottest days.
Run the dishwasher and dryer when the house is cooler, or air-dry dishes and line-dry towels.
Check the weatherstripping on doors and windows. If you can see daylight around a closed door, cool air is getting out.

Where a deep clean fits in summer

Deep Cleaning, PureRenewal, includes reachable ceiling fans and light fixture exteriors, cobweb removal, window sills and ledges, dusted blinds, hand-wiped baseboards, and appliance exteriors including the top of the refrigerator where it can be reached. Every item on the list is cleaned whether or not it looks like it needs it.

Interior window glass is an add-on for the first or second floor. It covers interior glass only, screens aren't included and no ladders are used. The inside of the refrigerator is also an add-on: it needs to be emptied before the visit, and the freezer isn't included.

Exterior windows and anything that needs a ladder above a two-step stool aren't on any of our cleaning checklists.

FAQ

Which way should a ceiling fan spin in summer? Counterclockwise when you look up at it, so it pushes air straight down. Many fans have a small switch on the motor housing to change direction. Dust the blades before you flip it so the first spin doesn't throw dust across the room.

How often should I change the AC filter in summer? Check it monthly while the system runs every day, and replace it when it looks gray or the filter's label says it's due. Homes with pets or allergies usually need it changed sooner.

Why does my house smell musty in summer? Humidity. Damp bath mats, towels, basements and closed-up rooms hold moisture and start to smell. Run bathroom fans after showers, dry towels fully and use a dehumidifier in the basement.

Does a house cleaning include windows and ceiling fans? Deep Cleaning includes reachable ceiling fans and light fixture exteriors, window sills and dusted blinds. Interior window glass is an add-on, interior glass only, with screens not included and no ladders used.