5 Home Cleaning Tasks to Tackle This Summer

With summer now in full swing, you are probably thinking about new ways to live healthier and happier. Yes, drinking more water and implementing an exercise regimen are fantastic lifestyle improvements, but have you thought about giving your living space a much-needed summer refresh? Cleaning and decluttering your home can really improve your everyday life, as clutter and disarray drain mental energy and cause stress and anxiety. 

So are you ready to clean up your home this summer but are not sure where to start? Not to worry! In my experience as the Professional Organizer and Brand Ambassador of Modular Closets (DIY customizable closet units that organize any space in your home), I have discovered a number of excellent home projects to complete in the summertime. These 5 cleaning projects below will really help your home shine!

Declutter & Organize Your Clothes

Is your bedroom closet filled with clothing you haven’t worn in years? Is your dresser a complete mess, with clothing jumbled in each drawer in no particular order? It’s time to get organized. On a practical level, the best way to declutter and organize your clothes is by creating categories — first categorize all of the items by clothing type (shirts, work pants, workout clothes, jackets, etc.), then go through each of these piles and place items in a “Keep”, “Sell”, “Donate”, or “Throw Out” pile. Once all of your clothes are sorted into these piles, then distribute the “Keep” piles back into your dresser and in your closet in an organized manner. 

Also, if you want to declutter and organize your clothes fast, turn it into a game; commit to accomplishing this in one day no matter what. By committing to finishing this goal in 24 hours, you will feel energized and inspired to get it done. Even better, add a new closet system to your closet to double the storage space and better organize all of your clothes. 

Clean Inside & Around Your Refrigerator

Are there sticky stains all over your refrigerator shelves? When was the last time you really scrubbed down the inside of your fridge? It’s probably been a while, so tackle this home project this summer. Take out all food, get rid of any expired items, and then use cleaning spray and a rag to wipe down all shelves and the front of the fridge. Also, move the refrigerator if you can to sweep up all the crumbs that have accumulated under the fridge over the fall, winter, and spring months. Then add the food items back to the shelves in an organized manner. 

Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet

There are certain places in the home that have a bit more importance to stay organized, and your medicine cabinet is one of them. First, empty the entire medicine cabinet. Absolutely everything should be emptied so you start with a fresh slate. Medicine does expire, so it is key to check the dates on everything and make sure they are still usable. Then it is time to organize!

Shelf risers are a great option to help you organize your medicine because it allows you to see everything at once. Use bins and containers for things you may not need as often such as calamine lotion or bug spray. If you can see everything at a glance, it will help you keep it neat and tidy! If you have medicine or supplements you take every single day, create an organized system by using a pill organizer to help you remember to take it daily.

Clean Underneath Your Couch & Couch Cushions

Whenever you clean your living room, it can be so easy to just vacuum around your couch and call it a day. However, crumbs and small items may have accumulated under your couch over the past year, which can attract unwanted pests. So move your couch and give the area a good vacuuming to ensure your space is as clean as can be. You may even find fallen money or an item you have been looking for for a long time!

Also, one space that people often miss while cleaning is underneath couch cushions. Over time, crumbs, hair ties, socks, coins, and other small items may fall in between cushions and then get trapped underneath them. So make sure you take some time to remove couch cushions, pocket any fallen change and items you want to keep, throw any trash away, and vacuum up the crumbs. You will have peace of mind in knowing the cushions you lounge on aren’t hiding any gross surprises!

Deep Clean the Inside of Your Oven

If you use your oven on a regular basis, you may have a lot of burnt residue on the oven racks and floor. To get rid of the buildup, first remove the oven racks and any other removable parts and add them to warm, soapy water to soak. Add an oven cleaner to the inside of your oven and let it sit for the recommended time on the label. While waiting, scrub the grime off the oven racks and other removable items that have been soaking in the sink. Then wipe away the oven cleaner using a damp cloth (you may need to use a scrub brush to get rid of larger stains) . 

Don’t forget to also clean the oven door! If it has a glass window, you can use vinegar to wipe away any residue and streaks. And use a damp cloth or sponge to remove any remaining residue inside the oven, then use a dry cloth to dry the inside of the oven. Once they are dry, add the oven racks and voila! Your oven is clean and pristine!

To Wrap It All Up

Keeping your living space clean and organized can help you keep stress and anxiety at bay. Some impactful cleaning projects to accomplish this summer include decluttering and organizing your clothes, cleaning inside and around your refrigerator, and cleaning out your medicine cabinet. Accomplishing these tasks can help you live healthier and happier this summer and beyond!

Tips from Christina Giaquinto: Christina Giaquinto is the Professional Organizer and Brand Ambassador of Modular Closets (DIY customizable closet units that organize any space in your home). Christina focuses on giving her clients the tools, methods, and techniques to transform their lives and homes through decluttering and organizing. She combines spiritual coaching and organizing to help her clients let go of things that do not spark joy and happiness. Her work has been featured on sites like Popsugar, Women's Health, Reader’s Digest, Realtor, The Spruce and Yahoo.