June 6, 2024

Summer Cleaning: Keeping Your House in Order

Summer tends to remind us of warm, sunny days spent enjoying time with our friends and family. When you think of summer, you don’t usually think about cleaning. But with a new season comes new chores around the house. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a long time cleaning to make a big difference in your space. Here are some summer cleaning tasks you should prioritize to keep your home tidy and welcoming all season long.

Washing Windows

Summer is the perfect time to open the windows and let some sunlight into your home. But if your windows haven’t been washed in a while, you might be surprised at how little light comes in! It’s best to wash and clean your windows on an overcast day, so you won’t have to worry about the bright sun glaring on the glass.

Start by cleaning the window frame. You can use a handheld vacuum or a hair dryer to blow the dust and dirt out of the crevices. A damp rag or cleaning wipe can remove any stains or dirt on the sill and the remainder of the frame. For an extra cleaning and whitening boost, combine a small amount of ammonia with water and apply it to the window frame using a soft brush or rag. Then, use a clean, damp rag to rinse the cleaning solution away. Finish by drying with a soft cloth.

For the window itself, you can use your preferred glass cleaning product or make a homemade cleaner. If you’ve still got the ammonia from cleaning your window frame, you can make a solution for the glass, too! Combine one glassful of water with a spoonful of ammonia, add it to a spray bottle, and spray. Wipe away for a streak-free shine. Another homemade solution for your windows includes one part white vinegar and four parts warm water. Add your mixture to a spray bottle or soak a cloth in the solution to clean your window glass. You can use a dry cloth or paper towel to finish the job. If your windows are especially dirty, cut through the grime with starch. Add a bit of water to your dry starch to form a slurry, then apply it to the window glass with a sponge. Dry with a soft cloth.

Cleaning Carpets

Cleaning the carpets and rugs in your home can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your space. Many people avoid this chore because it seems time-consuming and laborious, but it doesn’t have to be. You can do the bulk of the cleaning in one short period, then leave your rugs outside on your balcony or porch to dry in the summer sun.

If your carpet or rug is made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers, you can refresh the piece with simple table salt or baking soda. If you happen to have sawdust on hand, it works well, too! Simply spread out the rug, sprinkle it with your product of choice, and let it sit for a while. When you come back, broom or brush the rug section by section until you’ve groomed the whole carpet. Finally, hang it up outside and knock out the dust.

For more intense stains, you can use the wet cleaning method to clean your carpet. Fill a container with warm water (not hot!) and add a bit of laundry soap. You should end up with a thick foam. Use a brush to apply the foam to the carpet and scrub away any stubborn spots. When you’re done, use a soft cloth that’s damp with warm water to remove the soap suds. Hang it to dry, and in a couple of days, it will be as good as new!

Read also: 12 Weird Cleaning Techniques

Airing Out Winter Clothing

Your winter clothes have likely been packed away for a few months now. When it’s time to get them out again when the weather turns cold, you won’t want them to smell musty or be wrinkled beyond repair. That’s why it’s so important to ventilate your winter clothes during the summer months.

Take time to air out winter items like wool and fur sweaters or coats and heavy winter coats. Don’t expose these items to direct sunlight, especially if they’re made with real fur. Instead of hanging delicate sweaters on a traditional hanger (which could misshape them), drape them over a curtain rod.

Washing Bedding

Washing your bedding isn’t a chore that’s exclusive to summer, but it’s much easier to do it in the warm weather! Instead of stuffing your blankets and comforter into the dryer for multiple cycles, you can put them outside to dry in the sunshine and get an extra dose of whitening.

If you have room on your porch or patio, it’s highly recommended to take your mattress outside for a while. Not only can sunlight act as a natural bleach, but it also kills insects and their waste products.

Cleaning bedding with natural down-feather filling requires a bit more attention. Open the pillow (or whatever piece of bedding you’re working with) and shake the contents into a dry container. If you want to wash the filler, you can do so by hand or by adding the filler to an automatic washing machine and using the “delicate” cycle. Be sure to turn the spin off, use natural detergent, and dry the feathers thoroughly.

If you’re not comfortable washing the filler, you can head back outside to clean it. Put the container in a sunny area and cover your filler with a thin cloth. Dry the filler, shaking it periodically to separate the feathers from any debris that may have made its way into your bedding. No matter what type of bedding you have, you can take it to the dry cleaner if you’re not confident in cleaning it yourself. Your bedding will be cleaned without harsh chemicals or extreme water temperatures, so you can rest easy (pun intended) knowing that your bedding is being properly cared for.

Read also: Top Natural Cleaning Recipes

Clean Out the Kitchen

A new season brings new produce and recipes to try, so it’s time to clean out the kitchen! Go through your pantry by first taking everything out and wiping down the shelves. Throw away anything expired, and put anything that’s near expiration toward the front of the pantry so you won’t forget to use it.

You can do the same thing inside your fridge and freezer for a total kitchen reset. If your shelves are removable, take them out and wash them in the sink with warm water and dish soap. Otherwise, you can simply use a damp cloth to clean the inside of your appliance.

While you’re in the kitchen, take a few minutes to clean the cabinets. All it takes is a bit of warm water and mild soap. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wipe the fronts of your cabinets, especially around the knobs. Dry everything with a clean cloth.

Read also: Effective Kitchen Cleaning Checklist – Daily, Weekly, and Monthly

Preparing the Grill

New York City is especially lively in the summer, so spend some time outside eating and enjoying the weather with your friends and family. If you’re itching to fire up the grill, make sure it’s been properly cleaned first.

To get your grill ready for the summer, close the lid and set the burners on high. Let it run for about 15 minutes. After that, you can use a grill brush to brush off any food or grease. Particularly dirty grates can get cleaned quickly with a simple pumice stone. Just wash the grates well to remove the pumice dust before you cook.

If you’ve got some stubborn grease on your grill, grab a lemon and some salt. Place a slice or half of a lemon on the end of a long-handled fork, then dip it into the salt. Rub the salted lemon across the grates of the grill to cut grease and make the surface easier to scrub. Don’t forget to wipe down your grill afterward so it’s shiny and clean.

Working with White Glove Cleaner

Getting ready to enjoy the summertime in New York City should be an exciting occasion, not a cause of stress. Let White Glove Cleaner help you get your home or apartment ready for all your summer adventures! We are proud to offer residential cleaning services in NYC and throughout all five boroughs. Our team can help you with a one-time deep clean or return weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly to perform regular upkeep. Get in touch with our team today to learn more!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2021, and has been updated for comprehensiveness.