As summer rolls on, we’re still juggling heatwaves, soaring pollen levels, school holidays, weekends away, garden parties, BBQs, new prime ministers and everything else the season seems determined to throw at us. With all that going on, it’s hardly surprising that cleaning has slipped down the priority list.
But August isn’t the month to ignore it altogether. Warm weather can quickly result in pollen-covered surfaces, leave clothes and fabrics smelling sweaty and musty, and create the perfect conditions for unpleasant odours and even unwanted summer pests. A little maintenance now can save you a much bigger job later on.
The good news? You don’t need to spend hours scrubbing the house or working up a sweat to stay on top of it. I’ve rounded up the key cleaning jobs worth tackling this August, which all take 15 minutes or less but make a noticeable difference to how your home looks, feels and smells.
Doormats
I know what you’re thinking: surely it makes more sense to clean a doormat in winter, right, with all the mud and rain? Well, yes, winter can be mucky, but that doesn’t mean summer isn’t, too.
After months of it collecting dust, pollen, grass cuttings, sand, mud and general summer debris, take a closer look at your mat and I think you might not be so happy with what you find.
Fortunately, it’s a quick job. Take the mat outside and give it a good shake or vacuum to remove loose dirt, then wash it according to its material. Fabric mats can often go in the washing machine, while coir and rubber mats can be scrubbed with warm, soapy water before being left to dry. A clean doormat will do a much better job of stopping late-summer dirt and pollen from making their way indoors.
Bathroom bin
We’re all aware that kitchen bins need cleaning and emptying more frequently in the summer, thanks to high temperatures speeding up decomposition and increasing foul smells which attract pests. But what do most people forget? That the same goes for the bathroom bin.
Your bathroom bin tends to work much harder during the summer than you might realise. Warm temperatures can intensify odours, while items such as used cotton pads, tissues, dental floss and empty toiletry packaging can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria if left sitting in the heat. If your bathroom is naturally humid, too, it’s even more likely to develop unpleasant smells.
Fortunately, cleaning it takes just a few minutes. Empty the bin, wash the inside and outside with hot, soapy water, paying particular attention to the lid and rim where grime can build up. Dry it thoroughly before replacing the liner and consider sprinkling a little bicarbonate of soda in the bottom to help absorb odours between cleans.
Patio
August is prime summertime hosting month. From BBQs to garden parties, you’ll be wanting to make sure your garden is shipshape when guests comes over and one of the easiest ways to create a clean, put-together look is to spruce up the patio.
By August, your patio has likely already seen its fair share of outdoor dining, leaving behind everything from food spills to drink stains, not to mention pollen, bird droppings and fallen leaves. Left untouched, this debris can stain paving, encourage algae and mould to develop after summer showers and even attract pests looking for an easy food source. Plus, it just looks grubby.
Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be a big job. Start with a quick sweep to remove loose debris – a pressure washer is great at achieving the biggest difference with the least amount of effort, but a scrub of any obvious stains with warm, soapy water and a stiff brush is often enough to freshen it up. While you’re there, clear leaves from corners and between paving slabs to help prevent slippery patches and keep your outdoor space looking its best for the rest of the summer.
Headboards
Headboards are one of those spots that are easy to forget, but they quietly collect dust, pollen and skin cells over the summer, especially if you’ve been sleeping with the windows open. Fabric headboards can also absorb sweat, body oils and hair products, leaving them looking dull and smelling less than fresh over time.
Vacuum fabric headboards using the upholstery attachment to lift away dust and allergens, or wipe wooden and metal styles with a damp microfibre cloth. Giving your headboard a quick clean in August can help create a fresher sleeping environment and stop months of summer build-up from settling in.
Car boot
After weeks of holidays, day trips, picnics and beach outings, your car boot can end up filled with far more than you realise. Sand, grass, crumbs, reusable shopping bags, muddy shoes and forgotten water bottles all tend to accumulate over the summer, creating clutter, unpleasant smells and making it harder to find what you actually need.
An August reset only takes a few minutes. Empty everything out, vacuum the boot floor and wipe down any plastic surfaces with anti-bac wipes before only putting back the essentials. If you have a boot liner, give that a shake or wash, too. It's a simple job that leaves your car feeling cleaner and better organised for the busy back-to-school and autumn months ahead.
Phone case
It might sound like a random one, but giving tech quick wipe-downs should always be a part of our weekly (if not daily) routines, but especially in the summertime. Your phone goes almost everywhere with you, so it’s no surprise that the case quickly becomes a magnet for sunscreen, sweat, makeup, dust and bacteria during the summer months.
Plus, it takes less than five minutes. Remove the case from your phone and wipe both the case and the phone itself with a soft microfibre cloth, using an electronics-safe disinfectant wipe or a cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol if appropriate for your device. Make sure everything is completely dry before putting the case back on. It’s a simple refresh that not only keeps your phone looking its best but also removes the grime that’s quietly built up throughout the summer.
Gardening gloves
After a summer of weeding, pruning and watering, gardening gloves can become coated in soil, sweat, fertiliser residue and plant sap. Left unwashed, they can start to smell, harbour bacteria and wear out more quickly, while dried-on dirt can make them less comfortable and flexible to use.
Shake off any loose soil, then wash them according to the care label – many fabric gloves can go in the washing machine, while others can simply be hand-washed in warm, soapy water. Leave them to air dry completely before using them again. Giving your gardening gloves a clean in August helps keep them in good condition for the busy autumn gardening season just around the corner.
