The summer holidays bring with them sunshine, family gatherings, and the inevitable increase in foot traffic through your home. While it’s a time for relaxation and fun, it can also lead to a messier house. From kids tracking in the dirt to guests coming and going, maintaining a clean home during this season can be a challenge. In this exclusive blog, we’ll explore the process of keeping your house clean during the summer holidays and provide tips on how to do it efficiently, so you can enjoy the season without the stress of constant cleaning.

1. Establish a Daily Cleaning Routine

Why It’s Important: During the summer, activities and schedules can be unpredictable, making it easy for clutter and dirt to accumulate quickly.

How to Do It:

• Morning Sweep: Start the day with a quick 10-minute sweep of high-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room, and entryways.
• Evening Tidy-Up: Before bed, do a quick tidy-up to put away toys, books, and any items that are out of place.
• Spot Cleaning: Keep cleaning supplies handy for quick spot cleaning of spills, crumbs, or dirt brought in from outside.

Efficiency Tip: Assign small tasks to family members to make the routine more manageable. For example, one person can focus on the kitchen while another handles the living room.

2. Focus on High-Traffic Areas

Why It’s Important: During the summer, certain areas of your home, like the entryway, kitchen, and bathrooms, see more use and therefore require more attention.

How to Do It:

• Entryway: Place doormats both inside and outside the door to catch dirt. Consider a shoe rack to encourage guests and family members to leave their shoes at the door.
• Kitchen: Wipe down countertops after each meal and sweep the floor daily to keep crumbs and spills from attracting pests.
• Bathrooms: Clean sinks, toilets, and mirrors regularly to keep them fresh, especially if you have guests.

Efficiency Tip: Use multi-surface cleaning wipes for quick touch-ups throughout the day, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.

3. Embrace Outdoor Living

Why It’s Important: Encouraging outdoor activities can help keep the inside of your home cleaner, as dirt and messes stay outside.

How to Do It:

• Create Outdoor Spaces: Set up comfortable outdoor seating areas and dining spaces where the family can gather for meals and activities.
• Outdoor Entertaining: Plan outdoor barbecues and picnics to minimize the mess inside your home.
• Mudroom Setup: If possible, create a mudroom or designate a space near the entryway where shoes, hats, and outdoor gear can be stored.

Efficiency Tip: Keep outdoor areas clean and inviting by sweeping patios, wiping down furniture, and emptying trash bins regularly.

4. Manage Clutter with Baskets and Bins

Why It’s Important: Summer often brings an influx of seasonal items like beach towels, toys, and outdoor gear, which can quickly lead to clutter.

How to Do It:

• Strategic Storage: Place baskets and bins in high-traffic areas to collect items like shoes, toys, and mail. This keeps clutter off surfaces and floors.
• Rotate Items: Store away winter items to make room for summer essentials, keeping your home organized and functional.
• Label Bins: Labeling bins and baskets can help family members know where things belong, making it easier to maintain order.

Efficiency Tip: Use decorative baskets that blend with your home decor to keep storage solutions stylish and functional.

5. Tackle Outdoor Cleaning Tasks

Why It’s Important: Summer weather can lead to outdoor messes that can easily be tracked inside, such as grass clippings, dirt, and pollen.

How to Do It:

• Regular Lawn Care: Mow the lawn, trim bushes, and sweep driveways and patios regularly to minimize debris that can be brought into the house.
• Outdoor Cleaning Tools: Keep a broom, dustpan, and hose handy for quick cleanups of porches, decks, and sidewalks.
• Garage and Shed Maintenance: Clean and organize outdoor storage areas like garages and sheds to keep them tidy and accessible.

Efficiency Tip: Schedule outdoor cleaning tasks for cooler times of the day, like early morning or late evening, to avoid working in the heat.

6. Set Up a Cleaning Schedule for Guests

Why It’s Important: If you’re hosting guests during the summer holidays, it’s important to maintain a clean and welcoming environment without overwhelming yourself.

How to Do It:

• Pre-Arrival Cleaning: Deep clean guest rooms, bathrooms, and common areas before your guests arrive.
• Daily Touch-Ups: Keep guest areas tidy with quick daily touch-ups, such as fluffing pillows, wiping down surfaces, and emptying trash bins.
• Post-Visit Clean-Up: After guests leave, do a thorough clean of the spaces they used, including washing linens and sanitizing bathrooms.

Efficiency Tip: Prepare a guest basket with essentials like towels, toiletries, and snacks to minimize the need for guests to ask for items.

7. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Why It’s Important: Smart home devices and modern cleaning tools can help you stay on top of household chores with minimal effort.

How to Do It:

• Robotic Vacuums: Invest in a robotic vacuum to keep floors clean with minimal effort. Set it to run while you’re out or during the night.
• Smart Plugs and Timers: Use smart plugs and timers to automate lighting and appliance schedules, reducing the need for manual operation.
• Home Assistants: Use voice-activated assistants like Alexa or Google Home to set reminders for cleaning tasks or to control smart cleaning devices.

Efficiency Tip: Schedule automated devices to run during times when your home is less busy, such as early morning or while you’re out running errands.

Conclusion

Keeping your home clean during the summer holidays doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By establishing a routine, focusing on high-traffic areas, and making the most of outdoor spaces, you can maintain a tidy home while still enjoying the season. Embrace smart storage solutions, stay on top of outdoor cleaning, and leverage technology to keep your cleaning efforts efficient and manageable. With these tips, you’ll be able to spend more time relaxing and less time worrying about keeping your house in order.