Nine summer cleaning jobs you didn’t know you needed to do

Much as we welcome warmer months, long sunny spells and summer holidays, jobs around the house shouldn’t be neglected.

When temperatures soar, taking advantage of longer, lighter days can reward you tenfold in the cleaning stakes. And with COVID still kicking around, maintaining good hygiene in the home is really important.

Experts share their top tips on how to keep things spick and span in the sunshine.

1. Clean your windows

“As windows are often opened daily during the summer, it’s a good time to clean around the seals, mechanisms and sills,” says Sarah Dempsey, cleaning expert at MyJobQuote.

“Start by running your vacuum nozzle along the edges to remove loose dirt and insects. Then use a microfibre cloth and bucket of warm water with a few drops of washing up liquid to wipe it over. Dry off with a fresh cloth and leave the windows open so the sun gets rid of any remaining moisture.”

Read: How to clean your windows like a pro

2. Clear out your kitchen units

Ms Dempsey says summer is the perfect time to clean out kitchen cupboards and pantries: “With flies and other insects buzzing around during the summer months, it’s a good idea to make sure there are no open packets of old food festering at the back of shelves.”

She says to take everything out, wipe over the shelves and bin anything that isn’t edible. Then put everything else back, with the food that needs eating first at the front.

3. Clean around appliances

“Take time to clean under and around the back of appliances at this time of year,” suggests Ms Dempsey. “Fridges, freezers and washing machines stand on feet, so dust, dirt and food debris tends to find its way underneath.”

If you don’t fancy pulling heavy units out, she says to use a flat, long-reach duster. “The cloth type is ideal as you can use it dry to remove dust first, then dampen it with a sanitising cleaner to remove the remaining dirt.”

4. Deep clean the washing machine

“Washing machines are often forgotten about,” says Laura Marsden, UK marketing manager at Marigold. “You should leave the door and drawer open after washes to let the machine air and dry out, to stop it from getting smelly.”

“Microfibre cloths are great for cleaning the drum/outside of the machine, as they remove a lot of bacteria with just water,” adds Ms Marsden.

Read: Thirty-day deep cleaning challenge

5. Move your bedroom furniture

“Moving bedroom furniture out so you can dust and vacuum thoroughly will keep on top of pollen and other allergens,” notes Ms Dempsey. “Again, you can use a flat, long-reach duster to get under beds and down the backs of furniture to minimise heavy lifting and effort.”

6. Wash all of your bedding

Summer is the perfect time to freshen up your bedding. The warmer months can activate allergies, so making sure your doona and pillows are fresh and clean, and that you have a cool, calm and comfortable place to sleep, is key to getting the best night’s rest possible.

Did you know you should wash your doona and pillows, not just your doona covers and pillowcases?

Make sure you check the labels for washing instructions, but as a rule of thumb, most good quality pillows and doonas can simply be popped in the washing machine and then left to air dry. The warmer weather means you can dry your bedding more efficiently – and have it clean and ready to cosy in come evening.

7. Clean heaters and air conditioners

Due to the amount of dust that builds up over time, it should be imperative to do a thorough clean of your heaters and air conditioners during summer to remove the build-up of dirt, dust and hairs from pets.

A few simple steps will do this. Firstly, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of as much dust around the appliance, use the attachments to fit inside – this will collect the majority.

A small brush of some form should then be used to push out any remaining dirt inside and a hairdryer can also support this by blowing out and dislodging any bits that may have become stuck.

Warm, soapy water and a sponge will work on the outside, leaving appliances looking in great condition afterwards.

Read: Hassle-free bathroom cleaning secrets

8. Clean your rugs and runners

Taking advantage of the warm weather means cleaning your rugs and runners is another good summer task.

“Check what type of rugs you have first, to ensure you’re using the right method to clean them,” notes Ms Dempsey. “Small cotton rugs can usually be machine washed on a low temperature.

“If they’re too big for your washing machine, head to your local launderette, as their machines have bigger drums,” she suggests. “Hire a carpet cleaner to tackle wool and synthetic rugs.”

For many synthetic rugs, she notes you can simply hang them on the washing line and spray them clean with a pressure washer. “But never use this method on expensive or delicate rugs.”

9. Deep clean your bins

“Deep clean bins to prevent a build-up of bacteria and bad smells,” says Ms Dempsey.

She says to use hot water and disinfectant to wash out your bin and pop it outside in the sun.

“The heat will ensure it’s dried out thoroughly and the UV rays should help kill off any remaining bacteria,” says Ms Dempsey. “Once dry, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda in the bottom to absorb any further bad smells.”

What other household chores do you have pencilled in for the summer? Share your task list in the comments section below.

– With PA