15 Items in Your Home to Add to Your Summer Cleaning List

When it comes to seasonal chores, spring cleaning always gets the lion’s share of the attention. Summer cleaning, on the other hand, seems to get lost in the mix of camp, vacations, and simply spending more time outdoors than usual. We’ve found, however, that summer can be the best time to tackle a number of deep – and not so deep – cleaning tasks that might’ve fallen by the wayside throughout the rest of the year.

Below, you’ll find our list of 15 items in your home that are perfect for summer cleaning, along with tips on how to clean pillows, electric fans, air purifiers, and more. We even covered cleaning a wooden cutting board! Let the longer days and bright sunshine give you the motivation you need to get ‘er done.

Clean These 15 Things Now:

1. Pillows

If you’re confused about how to clean a pillow, you’re not alone. Luckily, the journalists at Real Simple have discovered that if the pillow is made of feathers, down, or polyester fiberfill, you can throw it in the washing machine and tumble dry. Foam pillows must be hand washed. Though it’s recommended you clean your pillows at least three times a year, the summer months lead to more perspiration – which, understandably, leads to more need for pillow cleaning.

2. Microwave

Cleaning the microwave is a no-brainer every time you have a food explosion, but it’s also recommended you clean it once every week or so to remove food particles from daily use. Nuke a bowl of water for about five minutes to steam up the insides, and then wipe clean with a reusable paper towel or other type of soft cloth.

3. Vacuum Filters

The mystery of when or how to clean vacuum filters plagues most of us. Check your user manual for the recommended plan of attack, but generally you can wash it with warm water (no soap necessary) and let air dry thoroughly. While it’s recommended to do this once a month, you might want to up the frequency in the summer as people and pets track more debris into your home than usual.

4. Air Conditioner

Wipe the outside of the unit with a soft cloth, disinfect the buttons, and carefully scrub the front filter with warm, soapy water about once a month (or more if you live in a particularly dusty climate) to make sure the machine is tidy and working properly. Make sure to drain the condensed water before packing it away in your self-storage unit at the end of the summer.

5. Fans

Electric fans are another appliance that can get very dusty very quickly. First, unplug them from the wall and then use a hair dryer (on the low heat setting), compressed air, or a vacuum that can blow air to remove dust on the blades and grill. Wipe the outside with a soft cloth and disinfectant as necessary. 

6. Humidifier

Plan on cleaning the reservoir of your cool-mist humidifier with water (or plain, distilled vinegar) every few days. Clean the wick by soaking it in cold water for 20 minutes or so, and then air drying. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how often to replace the wick.

7. Air Purifier

These machines generally have two filters: a pre-filter, which should be vacuumed or rinsed off every few weeks, and a HEPA filter, which should be replaced every year – generally at the start of summer, when air quality decreases. Again, check your owner’s manual for specifics.

8. Dishwasher Filter

Learning how to clean dishwasher filters is a gross – but necessary – stage of adulthood. Luckily, dishwasher filter cleaning is pretty straightforward: remove the filter, soak and scrub it in hot, soapy water, wipe down the housing, and there you have it! For more detailed instructions, check out this great step-by-step piece from The Spruce.

9. Remote Controls

Remote controls and video game controllers should be wiped down and disinfected weekly. Remove the batteries, grab a toothpick to loosen up any dirt around the buttons, and then use antibacterial soap to clean the body of the remote. Let dry before putting it back together.

10. Cutting board

These workhorses of the backyard BBQ season can get pretty grimy, dry, and bacteria-laden without proper care…but few of us know what proper care is exactly. The internet to the rescue! Now you need wonder no more about how to clean a wooden cutting board. First, scrub it with hot, soapy water after every use and dry thoroughly. If your board is looking dry, rub in food-safe mineral oil with a paper towel, set it upright for several hours, and then wipe the residue off with a paper towel before applying a food-safe beeswax to seal in the oil.

11. Cast Iron Pan

Similar to cleaning a wooden cutting board, cleaning a cast iron pan is a bit of a mystery to most. One tip to remember is to never use dish soap or a dishwasher, or even let it soak in water. Instead, pour a cup of sea salt directly into the pan while it’s still warm, scrub it into the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula, and then wipe out all of the salt and food bits with a paper towel.   

12. Reusable Grocery Bags

Summer is a great time to clean your reusable grocery bags. Throw any canvas ones directly in the washing machine, but take the time to hand wash nylon bags, recycled plastic (polypropylene) bags, and any insulated bags. It’s also a good idea to disinfect any bags that you use to carry meat every time you use them.

13. Light Switches

If you’ve got kids, you know that summer means sticky hands. Get in the practice of wiping down your light switches and plate covers every week or so with a soft cloth sprayed with a household cleaner. Never spray cleaner or water directly at the light switch or plate cover as this could cause a short circuit.

14. Pet Beds, Dishes, and Toys

Pet supplies seem to get even dirtier in the summer months…probably because pets get even dirtier in the summer months. Wash your pet bed every few weeks in the washing machine and run dishes and hard toys through the dishwasher on the top rack (if they’re marked dishwasher-safe). If not, hand wash them with – you guessed it – hot soapy water. 

15. Bathroom Walls

We saved one of the ickiest for last. According to Tidy Life, Happy Wife, microscopic particles erupt from your toilet every time you flush it. It’s good practice to clean the walls around the toilet every few weeks, but definitely in the summer when you’re hosting more guests.