10 Things You Should Deep Clean While the Weather’s Warm

Some deep cleaning jobs are easier when the weather’s warm. You can open the windows, let stuff air out, and finally tackle those messes you’ve been ignoring all winter.

A little heat and sunshine make drying faster and scrubbing less miserable—and if you’re already sweating, you might as well knock out the things that won’t get done once cooler weather rolls around. Here’s what’s worth deep cleaning now, while summer’s still on your side.

Window Tracks and Screens

Summer means the windows are open more often, which also means dust, pollen, and bugs build up in the tracks and screens. If yours are sticking or looking gunky, it’s time to clean them.

Pull the screens out, hose them off, and scrub with a little dish soap. Use a vacuum and an old toothbrush to clear the crud out of the tracks. It doesn’t take long, and the next breeze that blows through will feel a lot fresher.

Outdoor Furniture

You’re sitting on it more this time of year, so it’s worth scrubbing down the chairs, cushions, and tables. Even when it looks clean, outdoor furniture collects grime fast—especially if it’s been rained on.

Wipe everything down with soapy water, spot treat mildew with vinegar, and let it dry in the sun. If your cushions are holding onto any funky smells, a sprinkle of baking soda and a little time outside usually helps.

Your Washer and Dryer

Sweaty clothes, pool towels, and all the extra summer laundry can do a number on your machines. If you haven’t cleaned them in a while, now’s a good time.

Run a cleaning cycle in the washer or throw in some vinegar and hot water. Wipe the door gasket and pull out the detergent drawer. Then vacuum around the dryer vent and lint trap. A cleaner setup means better-smelling laundry and fewer breakdowns.

Garbage Bins

The heat makes trash smell worse, fast. If your bins are getting funky—inside or out—it’s time to clean them, not just spray them with something that smells better.

Drag them outside, hose them down, and scrub with vinegar or dish soap. Let them dry in the sun before lining them again. You’ll cut down on smells, flies, and whatever that sticky stuff is at the bottom.

Baseboards and Floor Edges

More daylight means you can actually see all the dust and scuffs that have built up along the baseboards. It’s not the most exciting job, but it makes a big difference.

Grab a damp rag or a magic eraser and work your way around the room. While you’re down there, vacuum or sweep along the edges too—crumbs love to hide out where the broom doesn’t reach.

Your Mattress

Summer heat means more sweating, even if you’ve got good sheets. And that funk can settle deep into your mattress if you don’t clean it every once in a while.

Strip the bed, vacuum the top, and sprinkle on baking soda. Let it sit for a couple of hours with the windows open, then vacuum it back up. If you’ve got a mattress protector, wash it on hot and let it air dry outside if you can.

Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

Fans run constantly in summer, which means if they’re dusty, they’re just blowing that mess around. Same with light fixtures—bugs and grime love to collect up there.

Wipe down the blades with a pillowcase or damp cloth, then tackle any dusty globes or bulbs. You’ll breathe easier, and your lights will look brighter too.

Porches and Patios

Decks and patios collect dirt, pollen, leaves, and whatever else the wind blows in. And when it rains, all that gunk turns slippery fast.

Sweep first, then scrub with a hose or power washer if you’ve got one. Don’t forget to get under furniture or along the edges. Once it dries, everything feels fresher—even if you don’t spend a ton of time out there.

Rugs and Entry Mats

Rugs hold onto a lot more than you’d think—especially the ones near the door. Between dirt, grass, and bare feet, they pick up plenty of grime during summer.

Take them outside, shake them out, and give them a scrub or run them through the washer if they’ll fit. Let them dry completely in the sun before you bring them back in so you don’t trap moisture underneath.

Grout and Tile

All that summer humidity doesn’t help grout stay clean. Bathrooms especially start to show buildup fast, and once mildew settles in, it’s harder to get out.

Use a grout brush and some baking soda paste, or grab a cleaner that’s made for tile. Open a window and let it air out while you work. You’ll be surprised how much brighter everything looks when the grout isn’t dingy.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.