Skip perfection. Aiming for 100% every single day can backfire and actually lead to a messier home. When the bar is too high, summer cleaning turns into a one-time event instead of a habit you can maintain all season long.
Summer is all about enjoying time with friends and family, so don’t over-complicate your cleaning routine. Whether you want to tackle a full summer cleanout or simply stay organized, these tips will help you plan an easy, low-stress summer clean up schedule that actually works.
Summer Cleaning Checklist
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Know Your Organizing Style
Organizing your home: where to start always begins with a plan of action. The key is knowing what kind of organizer you are, so you can build your strategy around that style for an efficient summer clean up.
Organizing Style: The Marathoner
The marathoner loves to tackle big cleaning sessions head-on, starting early and working all day to get the job done. Why put it off when you can knock it all out today?
This approach works best if your home is already somewhat tidy or you’re doing a deep clean. But for messier or more disorganized spaces, it can feel overwhelming. You might get stuck in a loop of cleaning, tidying, and organizing without feeling like you’re truly making progress. High-traffic areas can also get overlooked.
Marathon-style organizing can still be helpful for a thorough seasonal reset. Whether it’s spring or a full summer cleanout, these intense sessions are great for jumpstarting your home into a fresh new season. See our spring cleaning tips for a room-by-room strategy.
Organizing Style: The Sprinter
The sprinter prefers to clean or organize in short bursts, usually 30 minutes at a time, knocking out projects in small, manageable chunks. Some sprinters wait until the last minute and do a quick sweep of the house right before guests arrive.
This type of organizer can actually enjoy the process more by keeping tasks light and fun. Spending less time per task makes cleaning feel less like a chore.
🧤PRO Cleaning Tips: If marathon cleaning sessions wear you out, give shorter sessions a shot. Before you begin, gather all your supplies to make your summer clean up faster and more efficient.
For example, when cleaning out your closet, tackle shoes on Monday and shirts on Tuesday. If you’re working on a kitchen summer cleanout, shine utensils one day and scrub pots the next.
Gather All Materials Needed for Summer Clean Up
- Warm Water
- Castile Soap
- White Vinegar
- All-purpose Cleaner
- Oven Cleaner
- Baking Soda
- Garden Hose
- Rubber Gloves
- Microfiber Cloths
- Toothbrush Scrubber
- Glass & Surface Cleaner
- Toilet Brush
- Vacuum
- Leaf Blower
- Lawn Mower
- Weed Eater
- Mop & Bucket
- Broom & Dustpan
Tackle the Room or Space That’s Most Frustrating
You’ll feel the most accomplished if you start your summer clean up in the room or area that causes you the most stress. That way, even if you’re short on time, you’ve still made meaningful progress.
The kitchen and living room are often the most-used spaces, so they should be cleaned more frequently. Next on the list: bedrooms, bathrooms, and the home office. After that, tackle areas like the garage, basement, laundry room, and other storage zones as part of your summer cleanout.
Work from left to right, top to bottom. Declutter as you go and find ways to repurpose useful items. If you no longer need something but it still has life in it, drop it in your donation pile.
🤘Rock On: You’re making serious progress and that motivation can push you to tackle the next space with ease.
Always put a cap on it.
If you’re organizing by height like with magazines, use a ruler to set a visual cap. Decide your limit by inches or container size so things don’t overflow.
In your closet, for example, count how many hangers fit neatly without crowding. That becomes your cap. Or limit extra electronic cords to just one small bin for a more efficient summer clean up.
Take the Most Time in the Closet
The closet is often a major source of clutter and frustration. Whether you’re sharing one or just trying to make the most of a small space, it’s the perfect place to focus during a summer cleanout.
Get creative and plan your organization strategy before buying any containers or storage bins. A solid rule of thumb: don’t buy new organizers until you’ve finished decluttering what you already have.
Closet Organization Tips and Tricks
- Make sure your closet has proper lighting, good visibility is key.
- Install hooksfor hoodies, robes, and other grab-and-go items.
- Keep pathways clear so you can easily access everything.
- Use a magazine holder to neatly store flat shoes like flip-flops and sandals.
There’s no better time than summer to tackle a closet refresh. Whether you’re doing a full summer cleanout or a light summer clean up, these tips can help simplify the process. Check out more of our cleaning and organizing blogs to keep the momentum going.
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