A lot of excitement comes with the month of July. The sun is shining, holidays are being taken, BBQs are sizzling and schools are breaking-up. But there’s one thing that somehow seems to be left off the list of exciting summer activities, and that’s cleaning.
Scrubbing floors or sorting laundry is definitely one of the last things we want to be doing when a heatwave rages on, but that doesn’t stop our homes from getting dirty. Dust waits for no man! And in this heat there are actually new cleaning jobs brought on by the weather that need sorting, and sorting fast!
But that doesn’t mean you need to lock yourself in doors cleaning like some summertime Cinderella. I've picked out the top jobs to tackle this month that will make the biggest difference to the freshness and cleanliness of your home - without robbing you of too much of your precious free time. Here are some seriously overlooked, yet highly effective, speedy cleaning jobs to address this July.
Fan blades
This one is personal. The last few days I’ve been waking up with some seriously inflamed hay fever symptoms. Dry mouth, stuffy nose and eyes that won’t stop watering. Despite sleeping with my windows closed and being extremely diligent with my hay fever medication, I still seem to suffer - that’s when I realised who the real culprit was, my fan.
Like many of us I’ve been sleeping with my fan on during these heatwaves, but what I hadn’t realised is quite how dusty they can get. And when a fan is dusty it can replicate a lot of hay fever symptoms. Turning it on causes the blades to disperse accumulated dust, pollen, and bacteria into your room. Inhaling these particles primarily triggers respiratory and allergy-related symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, itchy or teary eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, and wheezing. Sounds familiar?
To clean your fan, always unplug it first, then remove the grille and blades (if your model allows) to wipe away dust with a soft cloth or brush before using a damp cloth and mild soapy water for a deeper clean. For tower fans, dust the exterior and use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean between the slats, while stubborn grime can be tackled with compressed air or by carefully opening the unit. Whatever type of fan you have, avoid getting the motor wet and make sure every part is completely dry before reassembling and plugging it back in.
Ice cube trays
With all the ice shortages across the UK, your reusable ice trays are now your best friend - but do you remember the last time you washed your best friend? Yes, all we ever put in these trays is water, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need a clean. Cleaning prevents bacteria buildup, eliminates absorbed food odours, and removes hard water mineral deposits. Freezers do not kill all bacteria, and unwashed trays can pass germs into your drinks and cause stale-tasting ice.
Check the manufacturer's advice, but most modern silicone or plastic ice trays tend to be dishwasher friendly. But if not, it’s just a simple case of warm water and washing-up liquid. Make sure you’re doing this at least once a month, to avoid that weird stale taste, or after every use when using trays for anything other than water.
Bins
Extreme heat can have a very smelly effect on our homes as they speed up all kinds of decomposition or drying, this effect is non-so evident than with our kitchen bins. Higher temperatures accelerate the breakdown of food waste, causing unpleasant odours to develop much faster than in cooler months, which is why amongst cleaning them - taking them out more often is essential in these summer months too.
Cleaning your bin in warm weather is also important in terms of pest control. Food residue stuck to the inside of bins can attract flies, increasing the risk of maggots if eggs are laid. A clean bin is also less likely to attract ants, wasps and rodents looking for food, all of which get much more brazen and curious in warmer temperatures. Giving your indoor and outdoor bins a regular wash with hot, soapy water and disinfectant helps deter flies, pests and mould, keeping your kitchen smelling fresher and more hygienic.
Curtains
Curtains may not be one of the first items that spring to mind when it comes to summer cleaning jobs, but they probably should. Warm weather and more frequently opened windows allow pollen, dust, and humidity to embed into fabrics. This degrades indoor air quality and creates breeding grounds for bacteria and mould. Giving them a quick but effective clean refreshes fabrics, reduces allergy symptoms, and eliminates any stale smells - freshening up your room instantly.
Give your curtains a summer refresh by removing dust by vacuuming before washing and always following the care label instructions. Most lightweight curtains can be washed on a delicate cycle or by hand, while heavier fabrics such as velvet, silk, wool and interlined curtains are best professionally dry-cleaned. Before rehanging, take the opportunity to dust curtain tracks, windows and sills for an instantly fresher finish.
Outdoor cushions
I’ve been loving how much more time I’m spending in gardens with these temperatures. But as you settle into your outdoor furniture for another al fresco breakfast or sizzling BBQ, I dare you to take a closer look at what you're sitting on. Our outdoor cushions are shockingly neglected items when it comes to cleaning. Often left out come rain or shine during the summer months, only to be immediately chucked into storage when winter comes. Because they tend to be made of sturdier, waterproof materials it’s easy to forget that they still need a wash, in fact, they’re probably long overdue for one.
Outdoor cushions can quickly collect pollen, dust, bird droppings and sunscreen residue during summer, so it's worth giving them a quick clean in July. Check the care label first - many removable covers can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle, while others simply need a wipe down with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Leave cushions to dry completely before putting them back outside to help prevent mildew and keep them smelling fresh.
Pet bowls
Out of sight out of mind is often the reason items end up neglected in our homes, and our pets bowls are certainly not in our eye line. Yes you remember to refill them, but you might forget to clean them - and as temperatures rise, doing so could start to get dangerous- for both you and your pet.
It becomes increasingly important to clean your pet's bowls more frequently in the summer as the warm weather accelerates the growth of dangerous bacteria, mould, and algae. Elevated temperatures cause food residue and saliva to quickly turn into a slimy biofilm that harbours harmful germs like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. And if that isn't stomach turning enough, food residue from dog or cat bowls can also encourage pests like ants, flies, cockroaches and even rodents to enter your home in search of food. In summertime, make sure you’re cleaning your pets bowl daily, ideally after every meal - especially if using wet food - using hot water and quality washing-up liquid.
Suitcases
We all know the feeling of getting back from a holiday and just wanting to flop on bed in a post-holiday blues coma, but unfortunately there are some overlooked cleaning jobs that need to be tackled straight after your travels.
Our suitcases pick up millions of germs, allergens and bacteria from airport floors, public transport and hotel rooms. And now you’ve brought all of that straight into your home, so you’ll likely want to sort that out asap before these germs lead to pests like bedbugs hitching a ride into your home, trapped odours spreading around your space, and common cold and flu bugs wreaking havoc.
To clean your suitcase, vacuum out any sand, crumbs or debris from the lining, then wipe the interior and exterior with a damp microfibre cloth and warm, soapy water, taking care not to soak the fabric. Don't forget the handles and wheels too - they're often the dirtiest parts of a suitcase and can be scrubbed clean with an old toothbrush and soapy water.
