The Only Summer Cleaning Checklist You Need (So You Can Focus On What Really Matters)

In this summer cleaning checklist, you will learn how to maintain a clean home while still having time to relax in the sun and make memories with your family and friends.

Introduction to the Summer Cleaning Checklist

Summer cleaning might not be an exciting activity for most people. 

Summer means enjoying the beach, going on picnics and road trips, exploring new places, and eating ice cream.

However, that doesn’t mean cleaning can be avoided.

We all love extra daylight during the summer months.

Before you know it, summer will be over, leaving you with so much to do. 

However, by using our summer cleaning checklist, you won’t miss any crucial tasks to maintain your home for the season.

While cleaning in the summer heat may sound tiring, remember that summer cleaning should focus on maintenance and not deep cleaning.

If you’re feeling a bit behind with cleaning this year, you may want to check out our spring cleaning checklist to get started and then refer to our summer cleaning guide to keep your home clean and well-maintained.

This summer cleaning guide will help you stay organized with summer cleaning so you have more time to swim, grill, and have fun.

Summer Cleaning Checklist

Summer cleaning tasks include:

1. Clean the air vents
2. Clean the windows
3. Clean the floors
4. Disinfect door knobs and light switches
5. Clean fans
6. Clean curtains
7. Dust
8. Declutter
9. Clean kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances
10. Wash the bedding
11. Dust off the mattress
12. Scrub tub, shower, sink, and title
13. Wash bathroom mirrors
14. Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl
15. Clean the grill
16. Clean off the patio
17. Mow the lawn
18. Clean exterior windows
19. Maintain your garden
20. Clean and organize the garage

Alright, let’s jump in!

Summer Cleaning Checklist for Every Room

You’ll find most of the indoor cleaning tasks in this section, and that’s because summer cleaning is about maintaining.

So, instead of spending hours and hours on a single room, we recommend focusing on ‘the big stuff’ to give you quick results and peace of mind.

Here are the steps you can take for each room.

• Clean air vents: As you’ll need your air conditioner more during summer, keep it free from dust using the brush attachment of your vacuum. Unscrew your air vents and wash with warm, soapy water to remove stubborn dirt.
• Clean the windows: You can’t enjoy a great summer’s day with a dirty window as you might barely be able to see through it. In a spray bottle, combine a cup of water and a cup of vinegar, and clean your windows with a microfiber cloth.  
• Clean the floors: Expect more foot traffic at home during summer. It’d be beneficial to vacuum and mop the floors once a week.
• Disinfect door knobs and light switches: We regularly touch door knobs and light switches, allowing quick transfer of bacteria and dirt. Clean them using a cloth lightly damped with alcohol or other disinfectants.
• Clean the stand and ceiling fans: Disassemble the stand fan and wipe the fan blade’s edges and the fan guards’ open gaps with a damp cloth before reassembling it. Stand on an elevated platform for the ceiling fans to quickly reach and wipe off the dust from the fan blades.
• Clean the curtains: Keep them clean by carefully removing, washing, and, if necessary, dry cleaning them. Also, consider the curtain fabric before applying a cleaning solution to avoid damage.
• Dust surfaces, furniture, and electronics: Dust and unwanted microbes build up quickly in living rooms, which can cause problems for the family and guests who lounge 

Summer Cleaning Checklist for the Kitchen

Many summer cleaning tasks for the kitchen are also relevant for the spring.

Therefore, some of these may look familiar to you if you read our spring cleaning guide.

Here is what we recommend focusing on in your kitchen this summer:

• Clean kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances: Remove cabinet items and unused items on countertops, and use a general-purpose cleaner or mild soap, water, and cleaning cloth. Then, proceed to the stovetop, oven, microwave, and sink.
• Clean out the refrigerator: Keep it ready for fresh summer produce. Throw out expired items, wipe the surfaces using a damp cloth, and use dish soap and warm water to clean the detachable shelves.
• Refresh and deodorize the garbage disposal: Sprinkle baking soda down the drain, followed by a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before running hot water and ice cubes down the disposal to help clean and sharpen the blades.

Related: Kitchen Cleaning Guide

Summer Cleaning Checklist for the Bedroom

Cleaning your bedroom lets you start your day right and relax after a long, tiring day. 

Here are the tasks that will help you sleep comfortably and wake up peacefully during summer:

• Wash the bedding: Wash the bed covers, pillowcases, and blankets weekly or once every two weeks. Be mindful when using a washing machine or choosing a detergent, as some beddings are made of delicate material.
• Dust off the mattress: Dust mites and other pathogens can pile up on the mattress. Ensure to occasionally dust or vacuum it to keep it clean and healthy.
• Throw away undesirable things: Broken, superfluous, and unwanted items only occupy space and store dust. Make the bedroom tidier and less cluttered by throwing or giving away the unessential.

Related: Bedroom Cleaning Guide

Summer Cleaning Checklist for the Bathroom

To prevent the accumulation of germs, mold, and bad smells, you must clean your bathroom regularly.

Below are essential tasks that your summer cleaning checklist should cover.

• Scrub tub, shower, sink, and tile: Bathroom surfaces are constantly exposed to germs and gunk. Scrub the entire area, especially the crevices, with a bathroom cleaner or preferred homemade solution to keep them shiny and germ-free.
• Wash mirrors: Dried-up water particles and other residues can make glass and mirrors look unpleasant. Use a cloth dampened with a disinfecting solution to keep your bathroom’s glass walls and mirrors clean and clear.
• Disinfect the toilet bowl: Scrub the toilet bowl using a toilet brush and bathroom cleaner. Rigorously go through all sections until the entire bowl is speck-free before rinsing it with water.
• Mop the flooring: The bathroom floor gets dirty and slippery quickly. Mop the floor regularly and apply a cleaner if necessary to keep it pristine and safe. 
• Dispose of useless items: Throw away empty toothpaste, liquid soap, and shampoo containers, as well as worn-out shavers and toothbrushes—also regularly empty bathroom bins.

Related: Bathroom Cleaning Guide

Summer Cleaning Checklist for Outside

Summer means long, warm days, so use this opportunity to clean outdoors for increased relaxation.

Here are the tasks that you should include in your summer cleaning checklist for outside. 

• Clean the grill: Get ready for summer cookouts! Clean the grill using a scouring pad, hot water, and a degreaser; scrub the entire grill until it’s gunk-free, then rinse well.
• Keep the patio tidy: Wipe the patio furniture with a clean and damp cloth, and sweep the floor to remove any intruding leaves or trash. Also, regularly check the fencing for any dirt or mold buildup. Ensure your outdoor space is clean and tidy to enjoy outdoor summer activities all season.
• Mow and sweep the lawn: Use a lawn mower to address overgrowth quickly. Then, sweep the lawn to remove the cut grass and other litter.
• Clean exterior windows: Pollution, rain, and animal excrement can make windows look nasty. To clean them, use a soft microfiber cloth damped with water and a cleaning solution, and wipe the windows’ glass and frame.
•  Maintain your garden: Regularly prune your flowers and plants to remove dead branches. Also, pluck out the weeds or any unwanted vegetation to keep your garden neat and avoid resource competition.
• Clean and organize garage: Wipe any platform or shelf with a clean cloth, then sweep and mop the floor. Then, designate a specific area for the tools, spare parts, and other equipment to keep things clutter-free and easy to navigate.

Your Summer Cleaning Checklist Conclusion

By following our summer cleaning checklist, you can keep your home spotless both indoors and outdoors. You can also maximize the warm weather and enjoy various summer activities.

Summer cleaning tasks include:

1. Clean the air vents
2. Clean the windows
3. Clean the floors
4. Disinfect door knobs and light switches
5. Clean fans
6. Clean curtains
7. Dust
8. Declutter
9. Clean kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances
10. Wash the bedding
11. Dust off the mattress
12. Scrub tub, shower, sink, and title
13. Wash bathroom mirrors
14. Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl
15. Clean the grill
16. Clean off the patio
17. Mow the lawn
18. Clean exterior windows
19. Maintain your garden
20. Clean and organize the garage

Protect your family’s health by keeping your house germ-free.

We hope you have the best summer cleaning experience!

However, if you’d like professional help, check out our services.

Also, don’t forget to check out our other seasonal cleaning guides:

• Summer Cleaning Checklist
• Fall Cleaning Checklist
• Spring Cleaning Checklist
• Winter Cleaning Checklist