How to Make Late
Summer Cleaning Less Stressful 

Those sunny days and lazy afternoons of summer are winding down and it’s time to get ready for fall and winter once again. From the mounting stress of back to school prep to making sure your home is ready for cold weather, the change in seasons brings plenty of stressors for the whole family. Especially if you never quite got around to all your spring cleaning projects, the prospect of late summer cleaning chores can be stressful too. With the right approach and a little help from The Maids, you can wrap up your summer wind down without stressing out.  

Late Summer Cleaning is Just as Important as Spring Cleaning

After being cooped up all summer with the air conditioner running, enduring those unique summer messes and weathering the heat and humidity, your home is ready for a late summer cleaning to freshen things up. 

Dirt, dust, pollen and other pollutants have accumulated over the summer and are ready to wreak havoc with asthma and allergy sufferers. The end of summer is the perfect time to get rid of all those allergens before settling in for fall and winter. 

Because there’s still some warm weather around, late summer is the perfect time to take care of some of those outdoor cleaning projects before it’s too cold. From scrubbing the grill and getting it ready for storage to pressure washing your home’s exterior and patio, think of cleaning projects you just can’t do when it’s cold outside.

Wash outside windows, wash your car, pick up the yard and whatever else you can think of to get your home in shape while it’s still warm. Late summer is also a great time to clean those carpets and get rid of even more dust and grime. You can open the windows to let your carpets dry quicker and you get the bonus of fresh air circulating. 

Use Checklists for Your Late Summer Cleaning              

To tackle your late summer cleaning, you’re going to need a strategy and a thorough checklist to make sure you have your home fresh and clean and ready for fall. Here is a quick checklist of things you don’t want to miss:

Get Winter Gear Ready

Late summer is a great time to start getting your winter clothes and other gear unpacked and ready. Pull out all your winter clothes, coats, boots and other cold-weather gear and start switching them out with your warm-weather clothing and accessories. Be sure to keep a few summer items out for the warm days of late summer and pack up all the rest. 

Whether you keep your summer gear in the attic, garage or under the bed, make sure to use containers with lids to keep out dirt, dust and moisture. 

While you’re switching out your winter clothes for summer clothes, take the time to declutter. If you didn’t wear a top or a pair of shoes all summer, consider parting with them. Any winter gear you pull out that probably won’t get any use or is worn out, take the same approach. Once you’re done, move on to the kids’ closets and do the same before you head out for your back to school shopping. It’s hard to remember what you have and don’t have, so take this step before you spend money unnecessarily. 

Get the House Fresh and Clean Before Battening Down the Hatches Again

Think of late summer cleaning as a version of spring cleaning. Your house has likely been closed up to avoid the heat of summer and you’re about to be cooped up for winter, so this is the perfect window of opportunity for a thorough cleaning. While you’ll have plenty of items on your checklist, here are some “must-cleans” for a fresher, healthier home. 

• Scrub and vacuum between and under furniture cushions. Scrub? Yes, after a summer of kids eating all sorts of sticky summer goodies and playing with slime and other messy toys, you’re bound to have some stuck-on messes in those out of the way places.
• Clean your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans accumulate a lot of dust and residue throughout the summer and a little bit of it gets into the air you breathe with every turn. Dust the blades and vacuum the housing above the blades to get rid of the built-up dust. Wash the blades with a cloth using soap and water. Be careful not to get the housing area wet. While you’re up there, switch your fan to the winter setting, so it runs clockwise instead of counter-clockwise. 
• Dust and clean high-up places like the tops of door and window frames. These small out-of-sight ledges accumulate the same dust and grime as your ceiling fan, so step-up and get them nice and clean so your family can breathe easier. 
• Clean bathrooms and the kitchen. Focus on areas and items that don’t get a regular cleaning like shower curtains, behind the toilet, inside cabinets and behind the fridge.
• Take down any curtains, gather any throw rugs and give them a good washing. Because it’s still warm out, you can let them dry outside. 

• Clean your windows. Cleaning your windows is a perfect late summer cleaning chore because you can still get outside for a thorough cleaning before cold weather comes. Wash off dust and dirt with a hose and finish the job with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Head inside and repeat (but skip the part with the hose!)
• Clean your carpets. Remember all that dust, pollen and other pollutants? Your carpets are a haven for all kinds of contaminants including mold. Give your carpets a thorough cleaning so your family isn’t cooped up all winter with those pesky allergens.

Do Some Basic Home Maintenance to Prepare for Winter

Late summer cleaning gets your home fresh and clean, but there’s more to getting your home ready for winter. You want to be sure to winterize your home with a few basic tasks so you stay cozy all winter long. 

While you’re cleaning those windows, check for cracks, gaps and other spaces where warm air could escape and cold air could get in. Check the seals where windows and doors contact the frames for worn or damaged seals. Seal up any gaps and replace any worn-out seals.

Change your HVAC filter inside the house and get your system checked. The last thing you want is your heating system failing in the dead of winter, so get a basic check-up for peace of mind. Those new air filters will help keep dust, pollen and other allergens from passing through into your home and allow your heating and cooling system run more efficiently.

Let The Maids Tackle Your Late Summer Cleaning

Spring, fall or any other time of year, The Maids has you covered with our seasonal cleaning services. We clean all those nooks and crannies that are often forgotten or missed for a clean you’ll remember. Dirt, dust and allergens don’t stand a chance against our commercial-grade vacuums with HEPA filtration that capture up to 99 percent of dust, pollen and other pollutants. We disinfect commonly touched areas that harbor germs to prevent the spread of bacteria and we use environmentally preferred products whenever possible. 

From carpet maintenance to window washing, many of our locations offer specialty services to help out with your late summer cleaning projects. Request an estimate today and find out what services are available in your area. 

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