8 Essential Summer Cleaning Tasks Everyone Forgets To Do

While spring is often associated with cleaning, each season brings about new opportunities to keep your home tidy. To help you make the most of the good weather, Gem City Cleaning Solutions compiled a list of eight essential summer cleaning tasks that are all too often overlooked.

Clean & Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

If you followed our Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist, you’ve probably already tackled the first part of this task. But if you’re just joining us, start by thoroughly cleaning your fan blades to eliminate the dust built up over the cooler months. A microfiber cloth works great for trapping dust without sending it flying. Don’t forget to wipe down the motor housing and light fixtures while you're up there.

Ceiling fans can be the unsung heroes of summer comfort, but they only work their magic if they’re spinning in the right direction. Once those blades are dust-free, you want to make sure your ceiling fan is spinning counterclockwise when you're looking up at it. This reversal pushes air downward, creating a wind-chill effect that helps cool your skin and allows you to raise your thermostat a few degrees, saving energy without sacrificing comfort.

Most ceiling fans have a small switch on the motor housing to change the direction; just make sure the fan is off before flipping it. If your fan has a remote or wall control, check for a directional setting in the manual or app.

The U.S. Department of Energy found that using a ceiling fan allows you to raise the thermostat setting by about 4°F without reducing comfort. Reason being, ceiling fans create a wind chill effect that makes you feel more comfortable.

Wipe Down & Treat Window Sills and Tracks

Summer is prime time to clean your window sills and tracks—the areas that collect a surprising amount of debris, such as pollen, dust, dead bugs, and even mold or mildew. These spots are easy to forget but can play a big role in air quality and how well your windows function. Keeping these areas clean improves airflow and appearance and can help prevent window frame damage or staining over time. To get started:

• Vacuum loose dirt and debris using a brush attachment, crevice tool, or a handheld vacuum.
• Mix a mild cleaning solution of warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar.
• Dip a microfiber cloth or sponge into the mixture and scrub both the sill and track thoroughly.
  • For stubborn buildup, an old toothbrush or a small scrub brush works wonders.
• Dry everything with a clean towel afterward to prevent moisture buildup.

If you want to go the extra mile, apply a silicone spray or light coat of lubricant to the window tracks to help them glide smoothly all summer.

Deep Clean Trash Cans

This task is a gross one, but an essential summer task. Your indoor and outdoor trash cans go through a lot, and a deep clean helps reset your bins so they stay fresh and functional.

Even if you use liners, leaks happen, and over time, sticky residue, food scraps, and moisture build up in the bottom and seams of the can. These bits and pieces can lead to stubborn odors, bacterial growth, and pest problems. To deep-clean your trash cans:

• Take your trash cans outside.
• Remove any remaining liners and debris.
• Hose down the inside and outside of the bin to loosen gunk.
• Fill the bottom with hot water, a generous splash of white vinegar, and a squirt of dish soap.
• Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to help break down grime.
• Use a long-handled brush or scrubber to scrub the interior thoroughly, especially the bottom and corners.
• Rinse well and turn upside down to dry in the sun (bonus: the sun helps kill lingering bacteria).

Doing this once or twice a summer will make your home (and nose) much happier.

Change HVAC Filters

Summer means open windows, high pollen counts, and more foot traffic, which means more dust and allergens cycling through your HVAC system. A dirty or clogged filter restricts airflow, making your system work harder and increasing your energy bills. Even worse, it recirculates dust and irritants throughout your home, which can be tough on allergies or asthma.

Replacing the filter regularly ensures your system runs efficiently and your air stays clean. To get started:

• Locate your HVAC system’s return air vent or filter slot (usually behind a grill on a wall, ceiling, or inside the unit itself).
• Turn off the system, then remove the old filter and slide in a new one of the same size and MERV rating.
• If you're unsure of the filter type, check the label on the old one or consult your HVAC manual.

Most households benefit from changing filters every two months to maintain good air quality. But during high-use summer months—or if you have pets or allergies—monthly changes may be a smart move.

Clean or Replace Dehumidifier Tanks and Filters

Dehumidifiers work overtime during the summer to pull excess moisture from the air, especially in basements, laundry rooms, and other humidity-prone areas. But if you’re not regularly cleaning the tank and filter, you could be pumping musty air right back into your home. Stagnant water and dirty filters are breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and bacteria, which completely defeats the purpose of running the unit in the first place.

To keep your dehumidifier running efficiently and safely, empty and rinse the water tank daily or at least every few days during periods of high humidity—unless you’ve hooked up a drain hose for continuous drainage. In that case, ensure the hose is securely attached and draining properly (ideally downhill into a floor drain or sump pump).

Even with a hose, cleaning the tank and checking for standing water or mildew about once a month is important. As for the air filter, some models have reusable mesh filters you can rinse, while others need to be replaced every few months. Always unplug the unit before cleaning, and refer to your manual for specific care instructions. A clean, well-maintained dehumidifier keeps your air fresher and protects your home from excess moisture all summer.

Wash Outdoor Furniture and Cushions

Outdoor furniture takes a beating from the elements—sun, rain, pollen, bird droppings, and general grime can build up fast. If you left your outdoor furniture all winter and spring, then it will need even more of a thorough scrubbing.

Giving your furniture a good cleaning not only keeps your patio or porch looking fresh, it also extends the life of your investment and makes for a more enjoyable place to relax, grill, or entertain. To get started:

• Shake, fluff, and vacuum cushions. Also, remove any outdoor cushion covers that can be machine-washed (check the care tag first). For spot cleaning, mix warm water with mild dish soap and gently scrub with a soft brush.
• Lay cushions flat to dry fully in the sun, flipping them halfway through.
• Use a soft cloth or sponge and a bucket of soapy water to scrub frames down.
• Rinse thoroughly with a hose afterward.
• For tougher stains or mildew, add a splash of white vinegar or baking soda to the mix.

Clean and Inventory Coolers, Picnic Baskets, and Beach Gear

If your cooler still smells like last summer’s potato salad, it’s time to refresh. Before your next picnic or beach day, take a few minutes to clean and inventory your outdoor gear so you’re not stuck with moldy beach chairs or a leaky cooler when the sun’s finally out.

Start with your coolers:

1. Remove any lingering crumbs or melted ice residue.
2. Scrub the inside with warm water, dish soap, and white vinegar.
3. For stubborn smells, let a baking soda paste sit inside for 15–20 minutes before rinsing.

Then your picnic baskets and reusable bags:

1. Vacuum and/or wipe down with a damp cloth.
2. Check for hidden food wrappers or crumbs in corners and seams.

Finally, the beach gear:

1. Unfold everything like chairs, umbrellas, and tote bags.
2. Shake out sand and dirt.
3. Inspect for rust or broken parts.
4. Vacuum fabric and wipe down frames.

Less Scrubbing, More Sunbathing

Summers fly by, especially if you’re in the Erie County, PA, area. But you could be enjoying a little more R&R this year and fully embracing the season by giving Gem City Cleaning Solutions a call or scheduling a cleaning today. While you’re soaking up the summer sun, we’ll take care of everything at home.