Spring cleaning is not just for spring. You can (and should) complete the following cleaning tasks to help keep your home clean for all of your guests this summer. Here are a few of our top summer cleaning tips.
Air Out Window Treatments
Spring and summer are both the perfect seasons to air out window treatments. Remove curtains and drapes from your windows. Give them a good shake to remove any dust then hang them up outside to air out for the day. However, if you or your family suffers from outdoor allergies, don’t hang your window treatments out on days when the allergy counts are high since allergens can get trapped in your curtains. You don’t want to bring outdoor allergies indoors!
Wash Out Trash Cans and Recycling Bins
Along with hot, humid weather comes unpleasant smells from the kitchen trash cans and recycling bins. Use the warm weather to your advantage. Empty all trash cans and recycling bins then hose them down outside. Grab a heavy duty sponge or a microfiber cloth and warm water mixed with a gentle dishwashing soap of your choice. Although we prefer to use natural cleaners like vinegar.
Shine Kitchen Appliances
During the summer months, hands can get covered in sweat, oil and sunblock. Don’t let dirty hands get the best of your kitchen appliances. Grab a microfiber cleaning cloth and dab with your favorite stainless steel appliance polish. Then shine all kitchen appliances like the refrigerator, microwave and toaster oven. It’s best to do this at least once a week to keep up with any dirty fingerprints.
Tip: Looking for a stainless steel polish that will work well with your appliances? Ask the appliance brand for their product recommendations!
Wash the Washing Machine
That’s right! Wash the washing machine. Humidity during the warm summer months tends to create unpleasant smells in washing machines. This is even more prevalent in regions that experience high humidity levels during the summer. To prevent mold and mildew growth in your washing machine, run an empty load with hot water and your normal laundry detergent. Once the cycle is complete, leave the washing machine door ajar so it gets an ample amount of air circulation to dry properly.
Take Care of Towels
Beach, pool and bathroom towels and even bath mats left to dry in the bathroom can get a musty smell during the summer months, but we have a solution! To avoid a musty smell, try the following simple trick. Wash all of your towels in hot water with a sprinkling of baking soda (roughly a half cup). Then lay them outside to dry in the sun and fresh air. Just like the window treatments, remember to avoid days when allergy counts are high.
There are some obvious outdoor items to clean during the summer months like the backyard garden, grill, pool and patio or back deck, so don't forget some of these popular indoor areas to keep your home clean during the dog days of summer.
Looking for some cleaning motivation? Turn on our summer cleaning playlist to get you in the cleaning spirit!
After tackling summer cleaning, gather the kids for a fun arts and crafts project like this Fizzy Cloud Dough creation.
Fizzy Cloud Dough Recipe
*This recipe is food safe for toddlers
Ingredients + Tools:
Preparation:
1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl
2. Add 10-20 drops of food coloring to the vegetable oil
3. Pour the liquid into the bowl (for darker colors add more drops of food coloring)
4. Mix together with your hands – Use Playtex® Hand Saver gloves to keep your hands clean
5. Put the mixed ingredients into a plastic tub and let kids play
6. When the kids are ready for the fizz, spray the vinegar to watch the dough fizzle
O-Cedar Tip: Store the ingredients inside the plastic tub to pull out anytime you need a quick boredom buster!
