Everything feels better to do in summer, even cleaning. You may just find yourself in a much improved mood and stacked with energy for a complete house makeover. But even if you are not thinking that big, daily household chores usually seem more bearable. Furthermore, we are happy to give you the best summer cleaning tips, so you focus your time and efforts on the main priorities during the season.
Clean the Fridge
If you haven’t done it already, you must get on with fridge cleaning. During the summer, food can spoil quicker than usual, even if you store it appropriately. Also, you want to make sure there are no spills or other stains, which may be containing resistant bacteria. Take out all removable fridge compartments and soak them in soapy water for about 15-20 minutes. During that time you can use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe the inside of the fridge and any other parts that are permanently attached. Make sure the racks are completely dry before you place them back in the fridge.
Important: Don’t forget to wipe and disinfect the outer part of the fridge door. It is a germ breading spot since it is usually touched by several hands multiple times a day.
Prevent Mould and Mildew in the Bathroom
Most bacteria love a warm and humid place. And your bathroom in summer happens to be just that. Mould and mildew can easily develop if you do not take precautions. Leaving the exhaust fan on for longer can be a good solution. If you don’t have one, though, make sure you keep the bathroom window open for at least half an hour after you have had your shower. If there’s no window either, leave the door wide open, as well as the window in the nearest room.
A step further in the prevention of mould and mildew is to use a microfiber cloth to wipe your shower door and bathing area after each use. The less dampness you leave, the lower the chances of mildew and mould formation.
Clean the Outside Cooking Equipment
Long summer days means one thing - lots of BBQ and garden parties. But for you to enjoy your outdoor cooking equipment you must clean it first. Degreasing the grill is the main part of the job. You don’t have to use heavy chemical cleaners. Normally, apple cider vinegar and elbow grease should do just fine. But also, you could look for professional degreasers with more eco-friendly contents.
Avoid using metal brushes to scrub off the grease buildup as this could damage the grill ribs and particles can also get into your food, which isn’t healthy.
Manage the Garbage and Bins
During the warmer months you should take out the garbage more frequently to avoid rapid bacterial growth, pest infestation and really unpleasant odours. If you haven’t started splitting your food waste from the general waste now is absolutely the time to do it.
Further to emptying the bins more often, you will also need to wash and deodorise them. Once a week for washing is a good plan. Use some warm water and soap to eliminate any leaks or stains. Make sure you dry the bins before you place liners in. At the bottom of the liners throw a couple of lemon slices to neutralise bad smells from the garbage.
Deodorise Bathroom Towels
Your bathroom towels may develop a musty smell during summer because of the high humidity. Especially, if you do not ventilate the place properly. Add some baking soda when you are washing the towels to neutralise the unpleasant odour and don’t return the towels in the bathroom unless they are 100% dry.
Also, if you can, don’t store them in the cupboard even if you think this will protect them from absorbing the humidity. In reality, it does quite the opposite.
Wipe Food Spills Quickly
Do not let any food or drink spills on the floor untreated for long. Try to react almost immediately. Again, because of the higher temperature, bacterial growth is exponential and your household may be more prone to infections.
If the spills happened on a hard surface, it is sufficient to wipe or mop with a little bit of warm soapy water. If it was the carpet that took the fall, blot the stain and arrange for professional carpet cleaners to come and finish the job to avoid further and more expensive damage.
