Summer cleaning checklist: 10 jobs for a Philly home

A summer cleaning checklist for a Philly home has ten jobs: clean the window AC filters, dust the fans, wash the screens, wipe the window sills, clear out the fridge, wash the trash and recycling bins, shake out the entry mats, deal with sand and sunscreen, clean the patio or deck, and keep the house cool while you work. Spread them over June so July is just upkeep.

Heat, open windows and more people in and out are what make summer cleaning different.

1. Window AC units

Unplug, slide out the filter, rinse it, let it dry, and put it back. Do it before the first heat wave and once a month after. Our window AC guide covers the full clean.

2. Fans

Dust ceiling fan blades before you switch them on for the season, and wipe the grilles of box and tower fans.

3. Screens

Wash them before the windows stay open for months. A soft brush, warm soapy water and a gentle rinse work in place or with them out.

4. Window sills and tracks

Open windows bring in city grit. Vacuum the tracks and wipe the sills weekly.

5. The fridge

Summer means more cold drinks and leftovers. Clear it out, wipe the shelves, and toss what's past it before a hot week.

6. Trash and recycling bins

Heat turns a dirty bin into a smell and a bug magnet. Rinse the bins with hot soapy water, let them dry in the sun, and take the kitchen trash out daily.

7. Entry mats

Shake them out and wash them. Summer brings sand, cut grass and wet flip-flops through the door.

8. Sand and sunscreen

After a day down the shore, keep the sand at the door. Our sand guide covers it. Wipe sunscreen smudges off door handles, the couch arms and the car-key hook.

9. Outdoor spaces

The patio, deck, roof deck or front stoop. Our patio guide has the steps.

10. Keep the house cool while you clean

• Clean in the morning, before the house heats up.
• Close the blinds on the sunny side.
• Use the oven and dryer less. Air dry towels and bedding outside.
• Keep air moving with clean fans.

Want a cleaning booked?

Book House Cleaning online, and put your priorities in your booking notes. For a specific task, ask about it when you book.

FAQ

What should you clean in the summer? Air conditioner filters, fans, window screens and sills, the fridge, trash and recycling bins, entry mats, and outdoor spaces like patios. Summer is also a good time to wash curtains and dry bulky bedding outside.

How do you keep a house cool while cleaning in summer? Clean early in the day, keep blinds closed on the sunny side, run the oven and dryer less, and save heavy jobs like floors for the cooler morning hours.

How do you keep the house smelling fresh in the heat? Take out the kitchen trash daily, rinse the bins, clean the fridge, wipe the drain and disposal, and keep air moving. Dirty AC filters and damp towels make a hot house smell stale fast.

Book a cleaning

Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.